Schakowsky Calls On Bush to Fire Stimson Over Attack On Firms That Represent Detainees
| For Immediate Release: January 18, 2007 | Contact: Peter Karafotas (202) 226-6898 |
SCHAKOWSKY CALLS ON BUSH TO FIRE STIMSON OVER ATTACK ON FIRMS THAT REPRESENT DETAINEES | ||
WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky today sent a letter to President Bush urging him to immediately terminate Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs Charles Stimson for his remarks condemning law firms that represent Guantanamo Bay detainees. The complete text of the letter is below: President George W. Bush Dear President Bush: I am writing to express my serious concerns over the recent comments made by Charles "Cully... Stimson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs. I urge you to terminate him immediately. On Friday January 13th, The New York Times, "Official Attacks Top Law Firms Over Detainees,... reported Mr. Stimson's comments condemning law firms that represent Guantanamo Bay detainees. He stated that he found it "shocking... that lawyers at a number of top law firms represent detainees. He listed the names of more than a dozen of these firms, suggesting that they be boycotted. Mr. Stimson also intimated that these firms were receiving financing from terrorist groups for the representation of these detainees. I find Mr. Stimson's comments "shocking.... Unfortunately, we have already seen essential Constitutional rights stripped from detainees. The Military Commissions Act, which was signed into law last year, eliminated detainees' Constitutional right to habeas corpus, and now Mr. Stimson's comments demonstrate a blatant disregard of detainees' right to legal representation. This is an unacceptable statement from the DoD official in charge of detainee affairs. Furthermore, Mr. Stimson's comments are an obvious attempt to intimidate law firms and lawyers that are upholding America's basic, fundamental Constitutional principle that all people have the right to legal representation. Those lawyers and law firms, some of which are based in Chicago, are providing an essential public service. They should not be condemned, but should be commended. A worthy Democracy upholds the rule of law even in times of conflict and even for those who are considered undesirable, unpopular defendants. There are currently 395 detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, many of which have never been charged with a crime and for some of whom clear evidence of a role in attacks against the United States may be lacking. (The Washington Post, "Some at Guantanamo Mark 5 Years in Limbo,... January 16, 2007). Since these detainees have been classified as enemy combatants, they can be held until the Iraq war is over. That means these prisoners will be detained for an indefinite amount of time. I visited Guantanamo Bay in 2003, and at that time, I was told by Major General Jeff Miller not to worry about the legal rights of the detainees because they were all "bad guys.... Mr. Stimson's and Major General Miller's comments, along with the stripping of the detainees of their right to habeas corpus, are examples of the continuing abuse of the Constitution and the complete disregard to the rule of law. Although many consider these detainees objectionable, they still deserve appropriate legal counsel, appropriate legal representation and the right to habeas corpus. Thank you for your consideration and your prompt attention to this critical issue. Sincerely, Jan Schakowsky |