US terror law 'could violate international treaties'

  Irish Examiner

  Oct. 27, 2006 -- Washington's new anti-terrorism law could end up violating international treaties protecting detainees, with some provisions denying suspects the right to a fair trial, a key UN rights expert said Friday.

  Martin Scheinin, the United Nations' expert on protecting human rights in the fight against terrorism, said the Military Commissions Act signed into law earlier this month by U.S. President George Bush contains provisions "incompatible" with US obligations to adhere to treaties on human rights and humanitarian law.

  "One of the most serious aspects of this legislation is the power of the president to declare anyone, including U.S. citizens, without charge as an 'unlawful enemy combatant' -- a term unknown in international humanitarian law," said Scheinin, a legal expert from Finland.

  As a result, he said, those detainees are subject to the jurisdiction of a military commission composed of military officers -- rather than a civilian court of law.

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