2007 Issue 1 - New York City Bar Association

R E C E N T C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T S
out that legislation authorizing the panel’s creation and the method of
selecting its members would be relatively simple to draft, and once authorized,
such a panel could begin its work without delay to provide immediate
useful advice and drafting assistance to Congress.
Letter to Congress urging opposition to the administration’s proposed
Military Commissions Act of 2006 (the “Act”). The Act, the letter argues,
does not follow the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Hamdan or the United
States’ obligations under the Geneva Conventions. Rather the Act undercuts
the United States’ role as the chief proponent of human rights and
the rule of law around the world.
Letter to the Department of Defense requesting that the Department provide
for a period of public comment on the draft Manual for Military
Commissions before its final publication. Given the importance and the
public interest in this matter such an opportunity, the letter notes, would
only serve to enhance the public confidence in any trials which might be
conducted in accordance with the Manual.
Letters to Congress and to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressing
concern that Executive Branch officials and military personnel have made
the representation of Guantanamo detainees difficult by: discouraging
detainees from seeking and utilizing legal assistance; intimidating lawyers
providing pro bono representation; interfering with the attorney-client
relationship; and encouraging clients of the law firms who represent detainees
to pressure the firms to drop these cases. The letter focuses on
statements made by (former) Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Detainee Affairs Stimson. The United States Supreme Court, the letter
states, has made clear that those detained at Guantanamo are entitled to
counsel and that the above actions by officials indicate a bias inconsistent
with their responsibilities.
Non-Profit Organizations
Letter to the Attorney General’s Office endorsing the Attorney General’s Legislative
Program Bill #63-05, which would amend New York’s Executive Law regarding
the solicitation of charitable contributions, and enhance the available
enforcement actions to prevent fraudulent charitable solicitations.
Letter to the New York State Bar Association offering comments on its
Business Law Section’s proposal to revise the New York Not-for-Profit Corpo-
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