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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br /> <br /> Adoption of Resolution 4830 Urging the Federal Government of the United States of <br /> America to Uphold and Defend International Treaties and Conventions Against Torture <br /> and Inhuman Treatment, and Further Ensure That All United States Government <br /> Agencies Abide by and Enforce These Treaties <br /> <br />Meeting Date: April 11, 2005 Agenda Item Number: 3F <br />Department: City Manager's Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston <br />www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406 <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br />At the request of a member of the community, the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations <br />(IGR) reviewed a request to address a letter to the President of the United States and members of <br />Congress urging them to enforce international treaties and agreements, to which the United States is a <br />party, which prohibit torture. The IGR Committee discussed this topic at the meeting on March 31, <br />2005, and by a vote of2:1 (Councilors Bettman and Taylor in support, Councilor Pap~ in opposition), <br />requested that in lieu of signing a letter, a council resolution be drafted and placed on the agenda of <br />April 11, 2005. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />In an e-mail message from the West Region Organizer of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee dated <br />March 22, 2005, the mayor and city councilor were asked to sign on to letter urging the President and <br />Congress of the United States to enforce international treaties, as well as the Constitution of the United <br />States, which prohibit torture. As noted above, after a discussion by the IGR Committee, a resolution <br />was requested instead of the prepared letter. <br /> <br />While the City Council does not usually take positions on foreign or national policy matters, there is <br />precedent for this type of resolution and request for action. In November of 2002, the Lane County Bill <br />of Rights Defense Committee presented a proposed resolution outlining objections to the U.S.A. Patriot <br />Act. The council did adopt Resolution 4743 on November 25, 2002. <br /> <br />Another avenue available to the City Council instead of adopting a resolution is signing the prepared <br />letter either as individual councilors or as a council. A copy of the original proposed letter is attached to <br />this agenda item summary. <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />There are no city policies related to this proposed resolution. <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050411\S0504113F.doc <br /> <br /> <br />