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OSPC Statement on FISA Amendments Act
The Open Society Policy Center opposes today's Senate passage of H.R. 6304, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Act, because it does not adequately protect the privacy rights of Americans. The bill improperly provides immunity to telecommunications corporations for their prior illegal surveillance activities.
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Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007
The Open Society Policy Center strongly welcomes the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 -- A Bill to Provide for the Effective Prosecution of Terrorists and to Guarantee Due Process Rights."
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The 2nd Chance Act Introduced in the 110th Congress
In March 2007, the House Judiciary Committee passed out the Second Chance Act and in the Senate it was reintroduced by Senators Biden, Specter, Brownback & Leahy.
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OSPC Urges Strong Standards on Interrogations
OSPC and other human rights organizations send Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice a letter urging strong standards on permissible interrogations.
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Power and Superpower: Global Leadership and Exceptionalism in the 21st Century
Distinguished experts identify pressing foreign policy issues facing the United States and outline alternatives for successful foreign policy that harnesses power in support of a peaceful and prosperous world, in this anthology co-edited by OSPC's Morton Halperin.
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Morton H. Halperin, Director of U.S. Advocacy for OSI testifies before the House Committee on Warrantless Surveillance and FISA.
Morton H. Halperin, Director of U.S. Advocacy for the Open Society Institute testified before the House Committee on the Judiciary on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 to examine Warrantless Surveillance and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
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End the Crack-Cocaine Sentencing Disparity
On October 2nd, 2007 the Open Society Policy Center, along with other like-minded organizations, issued an open letter to the United States Congress calling for an end to the crack-cocaine sentencing disparity by legislating guidelines consistent with the Sentencing Commission's recommendations.
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UN Human Rights Council Takes Swift Action on Burma
The United Nations Human Rights Council held an emergency special session on the human rights crisis in Burma and has taken swift action. For more information click here.
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Mukasey Must Be Clear on Torture, Groups Say
Human rights and policy organizations said today that unless Judge Michael B. Mukasey clarifies his views on torture and the President's obligation to follow prohibitions on torture he "does not deserve to be the chief law enforcement official of the United States."
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Major Human Rights Organizations Urge Senate to Reject Mukasey
November 1, 2007--Four major human rights organizations today called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Judge Michael B. Mukasey to serve as Attorney General.
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Sentencing Commission Does the Right Thing on Crack
The Open Society Policy Center welcomes the unanimous decision by the U.S. Sentencing Commission making sentencing guideline adjustments for federal crack cocaine cases retroactive.
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A Bipartisan Group of Organizations Issues Strong Support of a Helsinki Approach to North Korean Policy
A broad left-right group of organizations consisting of various human rights and faith-based organizations and leaders of the Korean-American community issued an 18-point Statement of Principles in a press conference at the National Press Club Thursday, July 20, 2006.
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Senior Policy Analyst Nkechi Taifa Testfies Before the U.S. Sentencing Commission
Senior Policy Analyst Nkechi Taifa testifies before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on the federal sentencing policy regarding cocaine.
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Congress Addresses Human Rights in Turkmenistan
On September 27th, 2006 Congressman Christopher Smith introduced Congressional Resolution 486 urging the government of Turkmenistan to take immediate steps to address serious human rights abuses.
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The Open Society Institute Commends Decision to Suspend the Gambia from Millennium Challenge Account
The Open Society Institute is commending Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) recent decision to suspend the Gambia's eligibility for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) assistance.
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In Unusual Step, Human Rights Groups Oppose CIA Nominee
Human rights groups and advocacy organizations have urged the U.S. Senate to reject the nomination of John Rizzo to serve as General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency because of his stated views on torture. The letter to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and press release can be viewed here.
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Information on Military Commissions Act of 2006
President Bush signed the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (MCA) on Tuesday, October 17th. The administration claims that this law provides clear authorization for the CIA to conduct so-called 'enhanced' interrogations. However, Republicans in both Houses said these techniques are "clearly prohibited" by the new law.
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What the McCain Amendment Bans
The Open Society Policy Center has authored a brief on what is banned and illegal behavior under the McCain Anti-Torture Amendment. The McCain Amendment, which has been endorsed by The White House, makes the U.S. Army Field Manual binding authority for all DOD interrogations and bans "cruel and unusual" conduct under the 5th, 8th and 14th Amendment in all interrogations conducted by the US anywhere in the world.
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Morton H. Halperin Testifies Before House International Relations Committee
Open Society Policy Center Executive Director, Morton Halperin, testifies before the House International Relations Committee's Africa, Human Rights and Global Operations Subcommittee regarding the United Nations Human Rights Council.
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Diverse Group of NGO's Sign Letter Opposing Bolton
An informal and diverse coalition of NGO's have issued a letter to the United States Senate strongly opposing the nomination of John Bolton to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations. Nineteen like-minded organizations, including the Open Society Policy Center, have joined the letter.
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Morton H. Halperin Testifies Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
On June 8th, 2006 Morton H. Halperin, Director of U.S. Advocacy for the Open Society Institute, and Executive Director of the Open Society Policy Center, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the role of NGO's in democracy promotion.
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What's Missing From the Human Rights Council
Morton Halperin, Director of US Advocacy for the Open Society Institute and Director of the Open Society Policy Center, defends the Human Rights Council and reforms at the United Nations.
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Interrogators Beware
Stephen Rickard, Director of the Washington Office of the Open Society Insitute discusses the Military Commissions Act of 2006 and whether the new law authorizes or criminalizes brutal interrogations.
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Senator Brownback Discusses the Second Chance Act on ABC's World News Tonight
On June 4th, 2006 ABC's World News Tonight aired a piece entitled "Senator Gets Lessons at Jail" where Senator Brownback discussed the Second Chance Act.
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