Legal Commentary

White House Drafting Regs for Indefinite Detention

By Jeralyn

Truthout reports the White House is drafting an Executive Order for indefinite detention of terror suspects. President Obama is expected to sign it early next year.

[t]he 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.

Sounds pretty much like the Bush White House. I'm not impressed by these mostly cosmetic changes:

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.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 21, 2010 (boomark / email).