Human rights organizations and the Obama administration have deep concerns over language inserted into a defense authorization bill that they say would adversely impact civil liberties while handcuffing the Executive Branch’s ability to combat terrorism.
At issue is
Section 1031 of the National Defense Authorization Bill (SB 1867) which would authorize the use of military force against any individual who has “substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces.” It also authorizes “Detention under the law of war without trial until the end of the hostilities…”
Amnesty International has called the language a “disaster” and “extraordinarily vague,” allowing the government to go after “almost any militant Islamic group in existence from Indonesia to Nigeria,” including foreign political parties who share some of the militants’ ideas “but not their methods.”
They also claim the bill would virtually make any location in the world “fair game and to hell with consequences for any citizens of those countries who get caught in the middle.”
The Obama White House objects to the legislation because it micromanages “the work of our experienced counter-terrorism professionals, including our military commanders, intelligence professionals, seasoned counter-terrorism prosecutors, or other operatives in the field.”
If approved by Congress as currently drafted, the bill will be vetoed by President Barack Obama, according to administration officials.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Obama Threatens Veto of Defense Authorization Bill (by Yochi J. Dreazen, National Journal)