Resource Type:

Report-Paper

Posted On: Nov 20, 2008

Posted By: Daniel Schuman

URL:

http://2009transition.org/liberty-security

Description:

Liberty and Security: Recommendations for the Next Administration and Congress

A coalition of more than twenty organizations and over seventy-five individuals collaborated to create "Liberty and Security: Recommendations for the Next Administration and Congress." The Constitution Project coordinated the production of the report, which was released in November 2008.

"Liberty and Security" indexes policy proposals across 20 different issue areas, including privacy, secrecy and surveillance; detention, interrogation, and trials of so-called "enemy combatants"; and discrimination in immigration and charities policy. It includes recommendations for congressional and executive action, and provides in-depth background information to support action by policy makers. It also includes lists of issue-based resources and experts in the community. The report includes the following chapters:

Charities, Foundations, and National Security
- Chapter 1: Eliminate Unnecessary Barriers to Legitimate Charitable Work

Detention, Interrogation, and Trials of Suspected Terrorists
- Chapter 2: Closing Guantánamo
- Chapter 3: End Illegal Detention, Torture, and Rendition
- Chapter 4: Prosecute Terrorist Suspects in Accordance with the Law

Immigration and National Security
- Chapter 5: Failing to Protect Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Overly Broad Definition of Material support for Terrorism.
- Chapter 6: Ending Immigration Enforcement Based on National Origin, Ethnicity, and Religion
- Chapter 7: Misuse of Immigration Detention Laws in Counterterrorism Efforts

Secrecy, Surveillance, and Privacy
- Chapter 8: Revising Attorney General Guidelines on FBI Investigations
- Chapter 9: Updating the Law Governing the Privacy of Electronic Communications
- Chapter 10: Fusion Centers and the Expansion of Domestic Intelligence
- Chapter 11: Promoting Government Transparency
- Chapter 12: National Security Letters and Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act
- Chapter 13: Reform of the National Security Surveillance Laws and Procedures
- Chapter 14: Preventing Over-Classification and Retroactive Classification and Promoting Declassification of Government Documents
- Chapter 15: Reforming the State Secrets Privilege
- Chapter 16: Reforming Watch Lists

Separation of Powers and Executive Authority
- Chapter 17: Assertion of Executive Authority in National Security Matters
- Chapter 18: Executive Privilege and Congressional Oversight
- Chapter 19: Signing Statements
- Chapter 20: War Powers Authority

The full report is available online at http://2009transition.org/liberty-security/, at www.constitutionproject.org, and on the websites of many members of the coalition.

For policy questions, please contact the individuals or organizations identified in the catalogue as allies. Please direct general questions to Daniel Schuman, Director of Communications and Counsel, the Constitution Project, at 202-580-6922.