Report Notes Thirty-four "Credible" Allegations of Patriot Act-Related Violations

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released its Report to Congress on Implementation of Section 1001 of the USA Patriot Act on July 17, 2003. The report had acknowledged many cases in which DOJ employees have been accused of violating civil rights and civil liberties through the enforcement of the USA Patriot Act.

The report spanned a six-month period, ending June 15, 2003. During this time, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) received 1,073 complaints that suggested Patriot Act-related civil rights or civil liberties violations. Of these complaints, 272 were complaints about DOJ employees, and therefore, fell within the jurisdiction of the OIG. Thirty-four of those were deemed "credible" complaints of civil rights and civil liberties violations committed by DOJ employees. (The OIG also received 370 complaints that were classified as being unrelated to Patriot Act civil rights and civil liberties violations.)

Many of the violation accusations were directed at the Bureau of Prisons, which oversees federal prisons and detention centers. Accusations were also made against the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and INS. Accusations of violations of civil rights and civil liberties included the beating of Muslim and Arab immigrants in federal detention centers and verbally abusing Muslim detainees.

The USA Patriot Act allows law enforcement authorities to have expanded powers in order to detect and prevent acts of terrorism in the U.S. or the U.S.'s interests abroad. Under the Patriot Act, the DOJ was granted broad new surveillance and detention powers. Section 1001 of the act requires the DOJ and the OIG to investigate accusations of violations of civil rights and civil liberties committed by DOJ employees to prevent widespread law enforcement abuse. It also requires the OIG to provide reports to Congress on the implementation of Section 1001. The report released on July 17 was the third report since the Patriot Act was passed.

The report can be viewed on the OIG's page of Special Reports: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/03-07/index.htm.