Secret Trials And Executions: Military Tribunals and the Threat to Democracy

(Paperback)

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Since September 11 there has been a sweeping revision of US law aimed at countering terrorism, but involving a profound curtailment of Americans' constitutional rights and liberties. The most controversial of the new measures is the unprecedented order authorising the creation of special military tribunals to try non-citizens suspected of terrorism. Olshansky looks at the history of military tribunals world-wide as well as alternatives, explains its unconstitutional elements, and the threat such a move bears on the US's international credibility and authority.

Reviews

Olshansky, who is Assistant Legal Director at New York's Center for Constitutional Rights, lays out a skillful argument which, point by point, shows how the "war on terrorism" at home amounts to a declaration of war on the Constitution itself This small book in the Seven Stories Press "Open Pamphet" series is an indispensable wake-up call to defense attorneys who may still be laboring under the illusion that our criminal justice system remains more or less intact where American citizens are concerned. It should be clear after January 8 that a political earthquake has already occurred. Jordan Elgrably, Criminal Defense Weekly

Author Bio

Barbara Olshansky is the Assistant Legal Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Her current docket at the Center includes class action lawsuits concerning immigrants' rights, race discrimination in employment and education, environmental justice and public health, prisoners' rights and Native American rights. She has written a number of articles on topics ranging from environmental racism to public access to radio programming and ownership, including a chapter on occupational exposures for the 2000 ABA treatise on environmental justice.