ADC concerned about freezing of charity funds

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is concerned about steps taken by the Bush Administration to freeze the assets of Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development of Richardson, Texas.

As a civil rights organization, ADC holds that the government should pursue criminals to the full extent of the law, but should not simply seize the assets of American citizens without affording them a chance to defend themselves, said the committee in a release.

ADC urges the government, if it has evidence of illegal acts on the part of this or any other organization or individuals, to bring criminal charges against them rather than simply seize their assets without process of any kind.

ADC President Ziad Asali stated that "Arab Americans are committed in the fight against terrorism at home and abroad, but all Americans should have a chance to defend themselves when accused of crimes by the government and punished through seizure of assets."

Asali added "ADC expects the Justice Department to pursue all those suspected of illegal activities, present its evidence against them in open court and prosecute them according to American legal norms."