WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT) today attended a ceremony in which President Bush signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006.  The legislation creates a new judicial system to prosecute terrorists and provides fairness in prosecutions.  Cannon, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, helped shepherd the legislation through the committee process.

“With this critical legislation, we have given the people who keep us safe the tools they need to do their jobs and save American lives.  It was an honor to work on this bill, and I applaud President Bush for signing this important legislation into law,” Cannon said.

Major provisions of the bill include:

 Creating a new judicial system to prosecute terrorists

This law creates a military commissions system that conforms to the Geneva Conventions, and allows suspected terrorists to be brought to justice.  It lists 28 specific crimes for which terrorists can be tried, including murder, attacking civilians or civilian property, and taking hostages.  The law further establishes the procedures, rules and legal framework for trying accused terrorists. 

 Providing basic fairness in prosecutions

The Military Commissions Act follows rules and procedures from previous military commissions, international tribunals, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice to ensure that accused terrorists can mount a full and fair defense.  Classified evidence is protected and would not be disclosed to the accused terrorists if the disclosure would be a risk to national security.  However, substantive findings will be admissible in an unclassified form, allowing the prosecution to present its best case while protecting classified sources. 

Protects American troops on the battlefield

This law protects American troops and intelligence agents by ensuring that their identities will not be shared with suspected terrorists as part of a trial.  The Military Commissions Act also provides a clear definition of accepted interrogation methods, so that our troops have better guidance and can be better protected from civil lawsuits brought by terrorists.

Satisfying international treaty obligations and applicable U.S. Laws

The Act conforms to our nation’s obligations to international treaties and all applicable U.S. laws, including laws banning torture and cruel and inhuman treatment of terrorists.