CNN:
The Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday voted 15-9 to recommend a bill -- over the objections of the Bush administration -- that would authorize tribunals for terror suspects in a way that it says would protect suspects' rights.
The bill was backed by Republican Sens. John Warner of Virginia, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
It differs from the administration's proposal in two major ways: It would permit terror suspects to view classified evidence against them and does not include a proposal that critics say re-interprets a Geneva Conventions rule that prohibits cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees.
In a decision earlier this summer, the Supreme Court ruled that the administration must meet Article III standards in its treatment of detainees.
Article III prohibits nations engaged in combat not of "an international character" from, among other things, "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture" and "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment."
Colin Powell wrote John McCain, "The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism." It would've been real helpful if these guys had spoken up a little sooner...
Tags: news politics military war Bush terrorism crime human rights civil rights
