NCJW Calls for Restoration of Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties

December 2, 2007, New York, NY -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has called for an end to governmental abuses of power perpetrated in the name of national security and the restoration of constitutional rights and checks and balances. At its meeting held December 2, the NCJW board of directors adopted the following statement:

"NCJW believes that individual liberties and rights guaranteed by the Constitution are keystones of a free and pluralistic society and must be protected and preserved. In addition, we value the system of checks and balances that has long protected our constitutional rights and civil liberties and held our leaders accountable.

"In recent years, there have been alarming violations of civil liberties, often justified by security concerns. While we support our government's efforts to fight terrorism and protect our nation, we believe that there must be a balance between that goal and an individual's right to privacy and judicial due process. The list of violations is long. The Administration's successful bypass of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in order to conduct secret domestic wiretapping without warrants should be checked by congressional action. We abhor the use of torture and the degrading treatment of prisoners and urge the restoration of the right of habeas corpus which has existed for centuries to protect individuals from wrongful detention. Our policies and practices should respect human rights and be brought into line with international law.

"As citizens, we expect and deserve proper congressional and judicial oversight to hold the executive branch accountable. However, the refusal of executive branch officials, including those no longer in government, to provide important documents or to obey duly authorized subpoenas subverts our system of checks and balances and impedes effective oversight.

"NCJW calls upon the executive branch to cooperate with Congress to restore real accountability. We call upon all three branches of government to work to restore and bolster our constitutional rights and civil liberties, ending unjust and inhumane policies and practices perpetrated in the name of national security."

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org