JURIST - Paper Chase: Iraqi lawyers urge US lawmakers to ensure rule of law in Iraq

[JURIST] A delegation of lawyers from the Iraqi bar association Wednesday hand-delivered a four-page letter to several US lawmakers that criticizes the US government for not devoting adequate financial resources to ensure the rule of law in Iraq, according to the Hill. The Iraqi lawyers, led by Iraqi bar association president Aswad al-Minshidi, delivered the letter to House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Senate Judiciary Committee member Arlen Specter (R-PA) [official websites]; a copy was also sent to US President George W. Bush. The letter also raised due process concerns over the long delays before detainees are given an opportunity to plead their case before a tribunal.

The Iraqi delegation met Tuesday with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts [OYEZ profile] and with White House special counsel Emmet Flood [SourceWatch profile]. The delegation also spoke with columnist Robert Novak, who wrote a column [text] on Thursday criticizing the Bush Administration for focusing their rebuilding efforts on "arrest and detention" rather than on the rule of law. The Hill has more.

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