The Senate's latest push to bring back kangaroo courts for good through the reinstatement of Military Commissions is a stark reminder that the fundamental principles of freedom and justice our country were founded on are still under as great a threat as ever.

Think we've turned the page on the policies of the Bush era? Think again. Provisions included in legislation that's currently before the Senate — passed in the House last week as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 — would make kangaroo courts a permanent fixture of the U.S. justice system, even for minors.

The military commissions were designed by politicians who caved to fear instead of standing up for American ideals of justice. These courts fail to meet standards for fairness upheld worldwide as well as by our very own federal government and armed forces.

We must hold those responsible for terrorism to account. But real justice requires real courts.

Act now. Stand with us as we stand against failed Bush policies that threaten to be passed into law.

Right now, Amnesty is conducting an all-out effort to send Congress the message that Bush-era torture policy belongs in the past. We're getting the word out to activists in key districts, phone-banking Congressional offices, meeting with legislative allies on the hill and organizing rallies.

We're also running targeted ads in one of the most-read publications on Capitol Hill and in the D.C. Metro stations that legislators and their staff pass through every day.

Help us continue to rally people nationwide who understand that our greatest strength is our commitment to freedom and justice.

Reversing the damage done under the Bush administration has proven to be no easy task and it's clear that there will be more challenges ahead.

But we must reverse these policies if we are to restore human rights in the United States and remove the stain left on our reputation in the global community.

Thank you for standing with us today –

Tom Parker
Policy Director, (Counter) Terrorism and Human Rights
Amnesty International USA