White House Supports Policy Of Indefinite Detention With Reviews

The White House is about to issue an executive order that will establish indefinite detention as a long-term policy and establish a review process for those it chooses to hold without charge or trial.

The draft order, a version of which was first considered nearly 18 months ago, is expected to be signed by President Obama early in the New Year. The order allows for the possibility that detainees from countries like Yemen might be released if circumstances there change.

But the order establishes indefinite detention as a long-term Obama administration policy and makes clear that the White House alone will manage a review process for those it chooses to hold without charge or trial.

There are more prisoners at Gitmo beign held without detention than when Obama was elected. The White House believes that the congressional authorization for military force enacted after 9-11 permits indefinite detention.

If signed by President Obama, the new order will provide added review for detainees designated for long-term detention. The order, which is being drafted jointly by White House staff in the National Security council and the White House counsel, will offer detainees in this category a minimal review every six months and then a more lengthy annual review. Detainees will have access to an attorney, to some evidence against them and the ability to challenge their continued detention.

More review is good, agrees the ACLU’s Jameel Jaffer; however, the executive order will “normalize and institutionalize indefinite detention and other policies,” that were set in place by the Bush administration.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.