Closed-Door Defense Authorization Deal Threatens National Security

Washington, DC – Following news that today’s closed-door Senate Arms Services Committee meeting has produced a tentative agreement on a defense authorization bill, now reported to contain modified versions of troubling military custody and detention policies, Human Rights First’s Raha Wala issued the following statement: “Detaining people without trial and mandating military custody for many suspects – cutting out our law enforcement and our federal courts – run counter to our nation’s security. Those policies are unacceptable and should not pass Congress. These issues are too important to be debated behind closed doors. If members want to tie the President’s hands in dealing with national security threats, they should do so openly and answer the tough questions about these policies.”