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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Sharon Singh, ssingh@aiusa.org, 202-509-8194

'Appalled, but Not Surprised' by Congressional NDAA Vote and Administration's Veto Threat Withdrawal, Says Amnesty International

Following the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives, the expected passage in the U.S. Senate, and President Obama's reported decision not to veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Tom Parker, policy director (counter) terrorism and human rights at Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON

Following the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives, the expected passage in the U.S. Senate, and President Obama's reported decision not to veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Tom Parker, policy director (counter) terrorism and human rights at Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement:

"The NDAA enshrines the war paradigm that has eroded the United States' human rights record and served it so poorly over the past decade as the country's primary counterterrorism tool.
In doing so, the NDAA provides a framework for 'normalizing' indefinite detention and making Guantanamo a permanent feature of American life.

"This legislation establishes a two-track system of justice by distinguishing between U.S. persons (citizens and resident aliens) and foreign nationals - a betrayal of the most fundamental principle of justice and equality before the law.

"This bill also creates a tangle of competing counterterrorism jurisdictions that no one in Washington seems to understand. Law enforcement agencies have a strong record countering terrorism since the 9/11 attacks and this new legislation will inevitably hobble their efforts.

"By withdrawing his threat to veto the NDAA, President Obama has abandoned yet another principled position with little or nothing to show for it. Amnesty International is appalled - but regrettably not surprised."

Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people - no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.

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