Focus Areas

The U.S. government’s response to terrorism within the United States poses a serious and continuing threat to civil liberties. Individuals have been detained indefinitely and in secret. New FBI guidelines and proposals for electronic surveillance in the United States raise the prospect of U.S. government agencies spying on Americans, and of a chilling effect on religious and political association protected by the First Amendment. Regulations have already been promulgated to allow secret evidence and to curtail due process in trying terrorism suspects.

These are ominous trends and demand the strongest response from advocates of an open society. Such policies also undercut the credibility of U.S. foreign policy in promoting human rights and the rule of law. OSI seeks to counter the government’s efforts to limit civil liberties by building coalitions with other advocacy groups and NGOs that are working to safeguard hard-won civil rights in American society.