Amnesty International USA
Media Statement
Thursday, November 05, 2009

Amnesty International Welcomes Defeat of Graham Amendment

Amendment could have barred any Guantanamo detainee from receiving a trial in U.S. federal courts

(Washington) – Geneve Mantri, Amnesty International USA's Government Relations Director for terrorism, counterterrorism and human rights, issued the following statement in response to U.S. Senate's defeat of an amendment to the FY10 Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations legislation that would have prohibited the use of federal funds for the prosecution of any detainee associated with the 9/11 attacks. The amendment was authored by Senators Lindsey Graham, Joseph Lieberman and John McCain.

"Amnesty International welcomes the defeat of the Graham amendment by the U.S. Senate. If this amendment passed, detainees would have been banned from their day in federal court and violated detainees’ rights to a fair trial, but would have also tied the hands of the Obama administration to deliver justice for the crimes committed on September 11. The best way to defeat terrorists is to show that they are criminals, not lionize them as warriors."

"While federal courts have successfully prosecuted 195 terrorist cases, the kangaroo courts in Guantanamo have been mired in legal chaos. Politicians should not be in the business of deciding where and when suspects are tried: this is job of the Attorney General."

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

(Washington) – Contact: AIUSA media relations office, 202-544-0200 x302

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