A Matter of Justice

By 

Jay Sekulow

|
June 25, 2011

3 min read

Jihad

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Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the speech by President Bush from the East Room of the White House.  Prior to the speech, I met with members of the Department of Justice and others concerning the issue of bringing to justice terrorists who are now held in Guantanamo Bay.  In light of the Supreme Court decision earlier this year in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, the President has put forth legislation to the Congress to allow for military tribunals to be instituted to bring to trial terrorists like Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and others who are responsible for the 9/11 attacks.  As I said yesterday, the ACLJ, with our expertise in constitutional and international law, fully back President Bushs plan to prosecute detainees in the War on Terror. 

 

The President has proposed legislation that is sound and well-reasoned.  The legislation sets for practices and procedures which protect the integrity of the process for all involved, while at the same time protecting vital national security interests.  It is time for these high-valued detainees to be tried.  Congress needs to act now and move this legislation through so that Americas vital national security interests are protected.  

 

The families of the victims of 9/11 also need to see justice here.  Thats why we are calling on Congress to pass this legislation quickly.  What the President has outlined protects the rights for all those involved and, at the same time, makes sure justice is obtained.  The legislation is needed now since the intelligence value of these targets has already been garnered.  As the President pointed out in his speech, these are high-valued detainees.  They are the leaders of the attacks on 9/11 and other attempted attacks on the United States interests domestically and internationally.  These terrorists are being given access to justice that they denied to their victims in their terrorist plotting.

 

The Supreme Court set forth a mandate which the President respects.  At this critical time for our nation, the Congress needs to act before the full campaign season gets underway.  This is an issue that should receive wide bipartisan support.

 

Immediately after the Presidents statement, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) registered their objection to the Presidents proposals.  This is really not a surprise at all.  The ACLUs position is wrong and should not be adopted by members of Congress.  Unfortunately, some members of Congress have already registered their opposition without even reviewing the proposed legislation.

 

It is time these terrorists be brought to justice ~ for the families involved and for our country!