Washington, DC | October 17, 2007 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) calls on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary to carefully and thoroughly examine the record of Attorney General nominee Michael B. Mukasey whose nomination hearings began today. President Bush nominated Judge Mukasey in mid-September following the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The Attorney General is the nation’s chief law enforcement officer and is tasked with the application of the fair and proper rule of law in the United States.
In light of the many concerns dealt with under the administration of Attorney General Gonzales, ADC hopes that the Senate Committee members will fully examine Judge Mukasey’s record on civil liberties.
ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora said, “We hope the Senate Judiciary Committee affords a comprehensive review of Judge Mukasey‘s complete record paying particular attention to his views on civil liberties and the failed post-9/11 policies such as the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS).” The office of the Attorney General must be able to maintain balance between national security and individual liberties and rights. As Attorney General, Judge Mukasey will be asked to oversee issues regarding the constitutionality of torture and interrogation techniques, detention, racial and religious profiling, and voting rights. These are but a few of the many concerns facing the Arab-American community in the United States.
Under Alberto Gonzales, the Department of Justice was accused of hiring practices that fell on along political party lines. There were also countless concerns regarding the enforcement of laws that violated civil and human rights of individuals. ADC hopes that the next Attorney General will restore the rights bestowed upon all Americans under the Constitution and address the many problems continuously raised with the Department of Justice for the past several years.
To that end, the Senate Committee must be thorough in its examination of Judge Mukasey’s past decisions which may dictate how he will enforce particular laws. Of particular concern is Judge Mukasey’s belief, verified in opinion articles he has authored, that civil liberties should be set aside for the sake of national security issues. Mukasey‘s record seems to indicate his belief that procedural matters serve only as roadblocks to national security concerns.