| April 21, 2003 Vol. 4 No. 8:
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Lawyers Criticize Administration Secrecy
The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights recently released a report titled “Imbalance of Powers” which details how the Bush Administration has steadily rolled back basic human rights protections and civil liberties since the September 11 attacks. The shroud of secrecy in which the executive branch has cloaked itself is among the troubling trends. The excessive secrecy makes effective oversight impossible and significantly reduces government accountability.
The report, Imbalance of Powers: How Changes to U.S. Law and Policy since 9/11 Erode Human Rights and Civil Liberties, covers changes that have taken place in four key areas: (1) Open Government; (2) Right to Privacy; (3) Treatment of Immigrants, Refugees and Minorities; and (4) Security Detainees and the Criminal Justice System.