The Anti-Terrorism Act

The tragic events of September 11 must never happen again—no one would argue with that. But instead of working to resolve the crises that have fostered terrorist activity, the US government has embarked upon a crusade. The people of Afghanistan will pay the biggest price in this “war on terrorism,” but all our lives will be affected. As we mourn the dead of September 11, let us also think carefully about what is being called for in their name.

 NON-CITIZENS WILL BE TARGETED

The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) would allow the Attorney General to certify any non-citizen that the INS “has reason to believe may further or facilitate acts of terrorism… or any other activity that endangers the national security of the United States.” The government is not required to charge such people with any crime, or to substantiate its “reason to believe” in any way. All non-citizens certified under the ATA, including lawful permanent residents, are subject to indefinite detention without a court order. According to the ATA, the recommendation to certify “is not reviewable by any court.” Once someone has been certified under the proposed measures, s/he can be imprisoned or summarily deported with very limited options for legal defence. This proposal applies to all non-citizens, regardless of when they entered the country and when they are alleged to have committed such acts.

The INS is moving ahead with plans to institute a tracking system to monitor over half-a-million international students—already one of the most closely monitored populations in the USA.

ALL AMERICANS WILL BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED SURVEILLANCE

The government is proposing a vast expansion of its powers to order wiretaps without legal scrutiny. This extends to use of the FBI’s Carnivore Internet-surveillance technology and the National Security Agency’s Echelon system for surveillance of electronic communications. Wired reports (9/12) that since September 11 many internet service providers “were quietly going along” with the FBI’s request to monitor the Net with Carnivore.

The ATA  would allow the use in US courts of information gathered by foreign governments by methods that violate US constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

THE PROPOSED MEASURES WILL UNDERMINE DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS AND POLITICAL STABILITY IN OTHER NATIONS

The CIA is seeking the lifting of current restrictions on working with human rights violators. As Robert Scheer commented in the Los Angeles Times (9/17): “The CIA, which originally helped train Osama bin Laden… will now have its powers expanded to do more of the same.”

The US government is considering lifting its official ban on assassinations.

The ATA gives tacit permission to other governments to gather intelligence information by methods that violate US constitutional protections. It may in fact put pressure on these governments to produce such information.

THE “WAR ON TERRORISM” IS ALSO A WAR ON CIVIL LIBERTIES!

This factsheet was produced by the Alliance for a Secular and Democratic South Asia. The Alliance was formed in 1993 to combat rising religious intolerance in South Asia and to campaign for peace and justice in the region. We are committed to working towards a just, non-violent resolution of the crisis we are currently living through. If you are interested in joining us in this work, please call 617-983-3934 or e-mail us at secular@mit.edu.