From (1-5-05)

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Thursday to consider the nomination of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General of the United States. Pressure on the committee to closely scrutinize the controversial nominee has continued to mount from several diverse sectors, including dozens of civil rights and human rights groups. 'The Attorney General of the United States has the awesome responsibility to respect the rule of law and to ensure that the rights of all persons under the jurisdiction of the United States are equally protected,' said Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. 'We look forward to a complete examination of Mr. Gonzales' record during his confirmation process, as well as hearing his vision for the enforcement of the nation's civil rights laws and protection of civil liberties.'

In November 2004, civil and human rights groups sent a letter to members of the Judiciary Committee, raising questions about Gonzales' record. Since then, the list of organizations that signed the letter has grown.

In addition, many others, including religious leaders, military veterans, lawyers, and former judges, have expressed their concerns over Gonzales' nomination, citing his role in setting the current administration's policy on detention, interrogation, and torture.

'We believe that every candidate for such an important office must be carefully evaluated on the basis of his or her entire record, including whether he or she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties,' the November 2004 letter from civil and human rights groups stated.

'Changes made as a result to long-established U.S. policy and practice paved the way for the horrific torture at Abu Ghraib,' the letter also said.

The letter questioned Gonzales' role in the formulation of administration policies that could undermine the system of checks and balances.

'Mr. Gonzales publicly argued that the authority of the President to detain enemy combatants was constrained not so much by the rule of law but 'as a matter of prudence and policy' - a radical view that was eventually rejected by an 8 to 1 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court,' the letter said.

Civil rights and human rights leaders who signed the letter also requested that members of the Judiciary Committee examine Gonzales' role in shaping the overall civil rights record of the administration.

'In a country as diverse as ours, this appointment acknowledges the importance of both substance and symbolism in the selection of our nation's highest offices,' Henderson said. 'However, every candidate for such an important office must be evaluated based on his record, including whether he has a demonstrated commitment to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties.'