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Obama must end torture



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Published: December 12, 2008

It is 60 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a visionary document that the United States had a significant role in drafting. Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, is an anniversary that is widely celebrated in many parts of the world but largely ignored here. That's unfortunate, as there is much we can celebrate about, and much we can learn from, this historic document.

Among other things, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights flatly prohibits torture: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

We know that torture is wrong, yet the evidence is clear that this country has regularly used torture and engaged in cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees in Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and other detention centers around the world.

This can change, however. President-elect Obama has promised to end torture by the United States and on Jan. 20 he can begin to fulfill this pledge by signing an executive order that bans torture and inhuman treatment. In doing so, he would end the legal double-speak clouding U.S. policy and send a clear message to all Americans that torture and ill-treatment of detainees will not be tolerated. Such an executive order would allow us to defend our country while preserving our shared American values — values embodied in our own Constitution and echoed worldwide in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Immediate presidential action would also signal to the rest of the world that the U.S. is making a clear break with the mistakes of the recent past.

Despite Obama's campaign promise, it is unclear that he will act without sufficient pressure and support. Please join local religious congregations, along with the National Religious Campaign against Torture and the Center for Victims of Torture in calling for a presidential executive order to end U.S. torture immediately. You can help ensure that President-elect Obama knows that the American people will support him if he strengthens our security and restores adherence to our values by instituting an immediate ban on torture and a commitment to the rule of law. You can contact Obama's transition team directly at the change.gov website or learn more about the issue at www.tortureisamoralissue.org.

MITCH PEARL

Brandon








READER COMMENTS


Arnie,
What exactly is torture? Well, when john mccain was put in a position on "Extreme discomfort" for extended time periods, that eventually caused permanent damage, it was called torture, but when we do it, it is "enhanced interorrgation". Seems a bit odd. And the most wonderful thing about torture? Well, lets meet up arnie, give me 3 days, and i promise i can have you telling me that you started the fires in chicago. Does this make it true? no, but in a short period of time, using only waterboarding, sleep deprivation and a little, "harmless" electric shock, i can make you, and most anyone, say exactly what i want to hear. That is the problem with torture, you may get the answer you want, but it does not mean it is the truth. The US has ALWAYS held the high ground on this issue. Just because your enemy does something, we should do it as well? what happens when our troops are captured and tortured? what will give us the right to even get slightly upset, i mean, if it is ok for us to do it to them....
-- Posted by firedog on Sun, Dec 14, 2008, 3:09 pm EST

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Mitch
What torture has this country partaked in? Would yoube so kind as to give us an example of your idea of torture?
Explain to me as well, How many American lives are you willing to have expended because information can not be obtained? I know it does not affect you voicing your opinion, it affects others, primarily the military. It is really easy to sit in the comforts of your living room and dictate to others what you precieve is the perfect world. You should take a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan and see first hand what is going on. See how the enemy is fighting, look at their techniques and their cruel way of making a point. Have you been keeping track of the mass graves? the executions? the method of executions? Have you taken note of how their prisoners are beheaded, thrown into fires alive, beaten etc? Have you seen photos of the Americans and what has happen to them during their capture? Why is it you want to judge Americans and how they treat these Terrorists who fight under no flag, wear no uniforms and even dress as women and kill innocent people who are not doing anything but getting up in the morning. How would YOU deal with these terrorsts to gain information where thier leaders are? where their caches are? where are they holding innconet people at? etc etc. The people we are holding are not being held because of some petty offenses, they are being held because of major terrorsts involvements. So before you start accusing the United States of torturing get the enemy to recoginse the Geneva Convention and the Red Cross and not think that ripping the insides out of their hostages or stringing them up as they are lit on fire is acceptable behavior. You really need to witness what is being dealt with before you judge how we are dealing with them.
-- Posted by Arnie Thibault on Sun, Dec 14, 2008, 9:13 am EST

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