From Aref Assaf, President

American Arab Forum
Paterson, NJ

Via fax and email

Senator Robert Menendez
Washington, DC

July 1, 2007

Dear Senator Menendez:

As your constituent, I wish to thank you for you co sponsorship of  the "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act" and the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007", which have been introduced to fix the problems with the Military Commissions Act. We hope you will continue to argue for the bill's passage. We are grateful for your moral stand.

It's time to fix the Military Commissions Act (MCA). The MCA removes the Constitution's right to habeas corpus for persons the president designates unlawful enemy combatants. It allows the President to define who is and who is not an enemy of our country, and then takes away due process protections. It also undermines the Geneva Conventions, which set the law for America's conduct during war.

The "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act" (H.R. 1416 and S.185) will restore the due process right of habeas corpus to detainees being held indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere.

The "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007" (H.R. 1415 and S.576) will repair much of the MCA's damage to our Constitution and American values. It creates a reasonable definition of "unlawful enemy combatant" that will allow the government to detain people who are actually fighting our country. It bans the use of torture and abuse and makes clear that the federal government must comply with the Geneva conventions. The bill also ensures that we don't have one set of laws and standards of conduct for privates and sergeants and another set for top government officials.

It is time for Congress to restore due process, defend the Constitution, and protect what makes us Americans. Again, I urge you to reach out to other members of Congress and seek their support of the "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act" and the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007".

I am following this issue closely and look forward to your response.