Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Ca) discusses explains that his legislation, “The Terrorist Detainees Procedures Act of 2009”, would have military courts-martial prosecute accused terrorists. (0:35)
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Ca) testifies at a hearing on the issues surrounding the military commissions system. He states that due to the flaws of the current system in place to prosecute Guantanamo Bay detainees, their cases should be dropped and re-prosecuted under a new system. (0:22)
By Aaron Richardson
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Ca) testified Wednesday at a hearing surrounding the legal issues of the military commissions system, stating that there is a better way to prosecute the detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
“Some call for the creation of a National Security Court to try the detainees and others have advocated all the detainees go into federal criminal courts. Earlier this year I introduced the HR 1315 “The Terrorist Detainees Procedures Act of 2009” The legislation would make use of the military courts-martial and would prosecute the detainees as unlawful combatants.” said Schiff.
Schiff also testified how he felt about the way the current system that is in place.
“I believe the commissions system has proved so flawed and the due process proved inadequate and discredited that in the case of the detainees at Guantanamo should be completely dropped,” Schiff said.
According to a statement released by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tx) the issue is not the way in which the detainees are being prosecuted, but the rights they may receive as possible terrorists.
“Now President Obama wants to give known terrorists the constitutional rights of citizens on trial in the U.S. Once terrorists are given additional rights, such as the right to remain silent, of course they do just that. The result is no interrogations, no information and possibly more attacks.”
