Denounce Torture

The New York Times reports today that Senator John Warner, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, plans to schedule a hearing on "whether the Pentagon has failed to hold senior officials and military officers responsible for the prisoner abuses that took place at the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, and at other detention centers in Iraq, Cuba and Afghanistan."

See "Senator Will Ask Rumsfeld to Testify to Panel on Iraq" from The New York Times. (Free regsitration is required.)

We now have close to 150 delegations organizing around the country to meet with their members of Congress during the last week of September.  And, more delegations are being formed every day. Our message will be simple and clear: Congress should immediately establish a fully independent commission to publicly investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment in U.S. detention centers around the world.

Our goal is to have at least one delegation in every state.  We are still looks for leaders in AR, DE, ID, OK, MS, MT, ND, SC, WY and VT.  Do you live in one of these states?  Do you know someone who does?  Help us meet our goal.

Apply now to be a delegation leader.

Sign up to be partof a delegation.

The disclosure of photos and video footage documenting prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib could be what it takes to reignite discussion on the establishment of an independent cousel to investigate allegations of abuse at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, and other U.S.-operated detention centers.  Ari Berman stated in The Nation that:

"Far from endangering American national security, the release of the horrific images could provide new impetus to the stalled Congressional investigations into prisoner abuse, and the Pentagon's failure to hold any high-ranking officers accountable for Abu Ghraib. An independent counsel with subpoena power is what's needed most right now to prevent images like these in the future."

See "More Images Of Abu Ghraib."

Get involved! Urge Congress to establish a fully independent commission to investigate allegations of torture and ill-treatment at U.S. detention centers around the world.

Alternet's Jan Frel wrote today that he doubted that the Pentagon would ever turn over 87 photos and four video tapes depicting abuse at Abu Ghraib.  According to Frel:

"My guess is that Dick Myers and whoever else controls access to these images has a good inkling of what could happen than they've let on so far, and that it's going to take a hell of a lot more than ACLU appeals to judges to get the Pentagon to release them. Someone will have to leak them."

See "Media as an instrument of war."

The Post-Intelligencer asked in an editorial yesterday, which scenario would make Iraqis angrier: the release of photos of abuse at Abu Ghraib or the appearance that the U.S. military was covering up further abuses?  The Post Intelligencer concluded:

"Some might feel that asking for the photos to be released is gratuitous -- after all, haven't we seen enough? And the answer is: no. We need to see and identify the face of every single soldier or military person in those photos and on those tapes. That's the only way we can hold them accountable for their criminal behavior."

See "Prison Abuse: Open the files."

In an article published on Findlaw.com, Joanne Mariner labels "wishful thinking" Britain's acceptance of a pledge by Jordan not to torture Jordanian terrorism suspects that Britain deports to their country of origin. Mariner warns:

"Still reeling from recent terrorist attacks, the U.K. is seeking easy ways to deport foreigners perceived as security threats. But its zeal to be rid of unwanted guests should not blind it to the dangers of its current approach."

See "Trusting the Torturers."

As part of the Denounce Torture: Stop It Now! initiative, Amnesty International USA is hoping to have at least 250,000 people living in the United States sign a special statement against torture. Amnesty International USA will use this petition letter in our efforts to show the Bush Administration, Congress, and others that those living in the United States are strongly opposed to torture and ill-treatment in all circumstances.

Take action now: Pledge your commitment to denounce torture!

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and several leading U.S. media outlets have submitted a brief in the ACLU's case against the U.S. government stating that:

"the government's misdirected effort to undermine the [Freedom of Information Act] by asserting, in essence, that its own misconduct has created an indictment too damning for the public to see."

See the ACLU's update.

Jordanian human rights activists voiced strong concerns over a memorandum of understanding that would allow the UK to deport alleged terrorists to Jordan.  According to Hani Dahla, head of the Jordanian branch of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights:

"The assurances in this memorandum are not serious and we know that all Arab countries, including Jordan don't give assurances against beatings and torture or sufficient safeguards for clients to defend themselves."

This statement comes a day after Human Rights Watch issued a press release calling the UK-Jordan Memo a "bad model for the region."  Amnesty International has also condemned the memo, stating that its assurances were not 'worth the paper they were written on.'

See "Human rights activists denounce deportation deal with UK."

The response over the past day has been great in our appeal to form delegations to lobby Congressional district offices across the country! We now have delegations established in 24 states! But we want to make sure there are delegations in all 50 states. Please consider applying to be a delegation leader, especially if there is not yet a delegation established in your state. And remember, if there is a delegation in your state, but not in your district, you are encouraged to form another delegation. The more Congressional districts we cover, the more potent our message against torture and ill-treatment will be.

Apply to be a delegation leader or join an existing delegation now!

Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated today the United Kingdom's deportation of security suspects to Jordan would violate the international prohibition against sending persons to countries where they risk being tortured.  According to Deputy Director of HRW's Middle East Division:

"There is still torture in Jordan, especially with regard to security suspects. All the good reasons that prevented the U.K. from deporting people to Jordan before August 10 remain unchanged by this agreement."

See "U.K./Jordan: Torture Risk Makes Deportations Illegal."

From September 26th - 30th, Amnesty International USA will join forces with other organizations to sponsor a special week of lobbying Congressional district offices. We aim to have Congressional district office delegations in every state across the country. Our message will be simple and clear: Congress should immediately establish a fully independent commission to publicly investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment in U.S. detention centers around the world.

Interested in becoming a delegation leader? Delegation leaders will be in charge of coordinating all aspects of the Congressional district office delegation.  Lobbying experience is helpful, but not required because we will provide interactive online training to prepare you!

Learn more and apply today.

In a debate yesterday hosted by Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman, Stephen Behnke (American Psychological Association), Michael Wilks (British Medical Association), and Robert Jay Lifton (lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School) discussed mental health professionals' involvement in interrogations of detainees in U.S. custody in Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and elsewhere.

See "Psychological Warfare? A Debate on the Role of Mental Health Professionals in Military Interrogations at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and Beyond."
See our earlier post, "British Medical Association alleges doctors' involvement in detainee abuse."

On Tuesday, the U.S. government cited the protection of "secret information" in its argument for the dismissal of a suit filed by Maher Arar.  U.S. officials scooped up and deported Arar to Syria -- where he was allegedly tortured for ten months -- while he was changing flights at New York's JFK airport.  Despite the U.S. governments' efforts to halt the case, the Christian Science Monitor reports that Arar won't give up his mission to make sure that the United States does not deport people to countries where they risk torture. 

See "Canadian sent to Syria sues US over rendition policy."

This morning, Salon.com said the following regarding the U.S. government's stalling on the release of more Abu Ghraib abuse photos:

"If the Bush administration is so worried about how Muslims will react to further evidence of torture at Abu Ghraib, maybe it should spend less time fretting about photos that haven't been released and more time focused on wrongs that haven't been righted. Punishing, not promoting, some of the commanders and lawyers involved would be a good way to start."

Go to this page to learn how you can read "Pentagon: Muslims will riot if they see what we did at Abu Ghraib."

According to the ACLU, legal documents released yesterday reveal that the U.S. government continues to take steps to block the disclosure of images depicting the abuse of prisoners in U.S. custody at Abu Ghraib prison.  The ACLU also reports that the government has attempted to file some of its legal arguments in secret.  In a press release from the organization, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero stated:

"The actions depicted in these photos and videos demonstrate the failure of American leaders who placed our young men and women in compromising situations and are now seeking to blame them for it. The real shame here is that our leaders left our troops out on a limb and now they are hiding behind a veil of rank and government office to avoid accountability."

See "ACLU Chief Calls Government Secrecy a Further Attempt to Avoid Accountability at Highest Levels."

Amnesty International fears that some of these detainees could be sent to countries where they would be at risk of torture.  In a statement delivered on August 5, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair stated that the government was prepared to amend human rights laws to make deportations of people who threaten national security easier.  Blair declared:

"...in my view anyone who is a foreign national who is inciting or engaged in extremism in this country should be out."

See "U.K. to Deport 10 Foreign Terror Suspects."
See "Reaction to the UK Prime Minister's statement of 5 August 2005."

Democracy Now interviewed Center for Constitutional Rights attorney David Cole today about his first public appearance at a Brooklyn Federal Court on Monday for the case of Maher Arar.  Arar, a Canadian citizen, was deported from the United States to Syria while attempting to make a connecting flight at New York's JFK airport.  In Syria, he was allegedly tortured and held for months in cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions. According to Democracy Now, the case would be the first civil suit filed by an individual challenging the U.S. government practice of "extraordinary renditions."

See "Maher Arar Fights to Keep Torture Suit Against U.S. Government Alive."
See "Federal Judge Hears Arguments in Case of Canadian Man Who Was “Rendered” By U.S. To Syria to Be Jailed and Tortured."
See "USA: Deporting for torture?"

Yesterday, in one of the many editorial pieces published nationwide supporting an amendment proposed by three Republican senators that would outlaw cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of all detainees in American custody, the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram said:

"This is not about who they are. This is about who we are. We are Americans, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct. And, no, the end does not justify the means. Not now. Not ever, when the means include torturing prisoners."

See "It's not who they are - it's who we are."

Signed our petition to denounce torture? What are you waiting for? Pledge your commitment to denounce torture now.

In a bipartisan discussion with Aspen Institute President Walter Isaacson and Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) on Saturday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said in reference to damage done to the United States' reputation after the Abu Ghraib detainee abuse scandal:

“Everywhere I go, the treatment of prisoners is an open wound in our relations.”

See "Torture does not work."

The Denounce Torture Action Guide includes a comprehensive overview of the Denounce Torture Initiative and the vital actions you can take to help stop the use of torture and ill-treatment in the context of the U.S. led “war on terror” once and for all. 

Download the action guide.

Also, stay tuned for the Denounce Torture Initiative teach-in guide, available later this month.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that a lawsuit was filed today against U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld regarding the case of Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a Qatari citizen residing in the United States who had been designated an "enemy combatant" by President Bush.  Al-Marri  alleged to have been kept in "complete isolation from the world" and denied appropriate care for physical and mental symptoms he developed while in military custody since December 2001. According to HRW U.S. Program Director Jamie Fellner:

"It is bad enough that al-Marri has been held indefinitely without charges and incommunicado. Now we learn that his life in the brig has also been one of relentless cruelty and petty vindictiveness. Whatever the Bush administration believes he has done or wanted to do, there’s no excuse for how they are treating him."

See "Cruel Confinement of ‘Enemy Combatant’ in United States."

America Magazine argues that the current administration's efforts to make the Geneva Conventions "optional" not only jeopardize U.S. soldiers and civilians and damage the United States' relationships with its allies, but hurt the United States' longstanding reputation of treating prisoners humanely during wartime.  The magazine's James Ross concludes:

"George W. Bush has a long way to go before he can claim Abraham Lincoln’s legacy to a humane articulation of the laws of war. It is a legacy that has long served the interests of the United States and for which Americans can genuinely be proud. It is a legacy that with each feckless Pentagon investigation and half-hearted war crimes prosecution becomes forever imperiled."

See "Bush, Torture and Lincoln’s Legacy."

In an article yesterday, New York Times reporter Tim Golden raised questions about the responsibility of more senior military personnel for the deaths of two detainees at Bagram Airforce base in Afghanistan in 2002.  According to Golden:

"In interviews and statements to investigators, soldiers who served at Bagram have at times echoed the defenses offered unsuccessfully by the soldiers charged with abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, saying they were acting on instructions from military intelligence personnel or on the authority of superior officers."

"But documents from the Bagram investigation and interviews with military officials suggest that at least some soldiers implicated in the two deaths may be able to make such arguments more forcefully than their counterparts from Abu Ghraib, who were unable to prove any authorization for their actions."

See "Abuse Cases Open Command Issues at Army Prison."

OneWorld reports that doctors and "medical bodies" have been involved in detainee abuse in the so-called  ''war on terror." According to Michael Wilks, the British Medical Association ethics committee chairman who made the allegation last Thursday:

''Governmental and medical bodies have begun adjusting and blurring their ethical guidance, tilting themselves towards endorsement of gross ethical malpractice, thereby ensuring the continuation of doctors' involvement.''

See "Medical Professionals Bending Ethics for 'War on Terror,' Expert Charges."
See our earlier post, "Village Voice Reports on Military Doctors Assisting Torture at Guantánamo Bay."

Amnesty International just issued a press release on the United States' announcement that it will return more than 100 Afghan prisoners from Guantánamo to Afghanistan.  Amnesty fears that Gitmo detainees who are returned to Afghanistan may be at risk of torture, ill-treatment, and other human rights abuses. The USA also announced plans for similar arrangements with Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

See "Guantánamo detainees must not be returned to more abuse."

An editorial by the Lansing State Journal commented on amendments by Sens. McCain, Warner & Graham introduced to the Department of Defense Authorization bill, which the Senate pulled from consideration last week:

"For far too long, the American public has tried not to think about this issue. Fear of terrorism has created a climate where any countermeasure is acceptable - no matter how repugnant, no matter how ineffective."

"No one can seriously claim McCain, Warner and Graham want to hurt U.S. security. They simply know torture doesn't protect us."

See "Torture: Amendments are proper response to litany of shocking tales."

A new report from Amnesty International highlights the U.S. government's apparent practice of holding individuals in secret detention centers around the world. Read the report, watch video testimony, view our special slide show and take action.

See "Torture and Secret Detention: Testimony of the 'Disappeared' in the 'War on Terror'."

Amnesty International has recently collected testimony that appears to shed new light on the U.S. government's policy of holding individuals in secret detention centers around the world. Their testimony was collected following an official visit by the organization to a Yemeni prison.

See "USA/Jordan/Yemen: Secret detention centers."

At the same time it was shutting down a Defense Department authorization bill because of an amendment establishing guidelines on the treatment of detainees, the administration stonewalled the release of new Abu Ghraib photos, arguing that fresh reports of abuse could endanger U.S. troops abroad.  Newsday columnist Marie Cocco makes sense of these moves:

"But decipher the logic. We cannot release the images of our depraved abuse of Muslims because to do so would provoke a violent backlash that would put our troops - not to mention straphangers in the subways - in harm's way. But neither will we agree to abide by a rule or two that would prevent the cruelties, or at least make it sound as though the president thinks they're out of bounds."

"If, as an American, you are confused about the message we send about ourselves, do not worry. The Muslim world is not."

See "Torturing prisoners? Not by the book."

The Orlando Sentinel echoed fears expressed on editorial pages nationwide this week about the White House's rejection of guidelines proposed by three Republican Senators on the treatment of detainees. According to the Sentinel:

"The current lack of strict guidelines for the treatment of detainees makes abuse more likely, and makes it harder to hold anyone accountable. That prospect ought to disturb the White House as much as it disturbs Mr. McCain."

See "A way to curb abuse."

In yet another editorial this week criticizing White House objections to the McCain-Graham-Warner amendments, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described the administration's actions as:

"...just idiotic. [The amendments] would simply restrict the president and others from doing things they shouldn't be doing anyhow, vile and vicious things that fly in the face of some of this country's most basic moral and legal principles."

See "Living up to our ideals."

Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush died while being interrogated in U.S. custody after repeated and brutal beatings. The interrogations, which included the use of fists, a club and a rubber hose, culminated in Mowhoush being stuffed in a sleeping bag and wrapped in electrical cord, shortly after which he was pronounced dead.  According to the attorney for a U.S. military officer arraigned yesterday for Mowhoush's murder:

"The interrogation techniques were known and were approved of by the upper echelons of command of the 3rd ACR. They believed, and still do, that they were appropriate and proper."

See "Documents Tell of Brutal Improvisation by GIs."

Newspapers nationwide continue to weigh in on the White House's move to quash further consideration of a defense spending bill in order to prevent the passage of an attached amendment prohibiting the "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" of detainees in U.S. military custody.  Newsday commented in an editorial today:

"Torture doesn't work. It induces prisoners to say anything their interrogators want to hear. It's an abdication of the moral high ground, puts our own fighting people at risk and is plain un-American. Congress needs to make sure it's off limits."

See "U.S. should reject torture."

The Minneapolis Star Tribune published an editorial today outlining ten reasons why the White House should support a bill proposed by republican Sens. John McCain, John Warner and Lindsay Graham  prohibiting the "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" of all people detained by the U.S. military, regardless of their status. The editorial included this quote from McCain:

"Even terrorists should not be tortured while under American control because, as McCain said, it 'is not about who they are; it's about who we are.'"

See "Congress should prohibit cruelty, torture."