By Tom Harbinson / Winona
" ... Because these “techniques” have already been widely reported in the media, he does not need to refuse to discuss them in order to preserve secrets. Instead, he tells us we should simply take his word for it, based solely on his self-asserted definition of torture. But torture is defined, not based on the president’s own “definition,” but by international and American law.
Under Bush’s direction and with his approval, American personnel have used water-boarding, forced exposure to freezing cold and extremely hot temperatures, forced sleep deprivation (often for more than 24 hours), forced nakedness (when unnecessary for search purposes and solely to humiliate the prisoner) and other “special techniques” on detainees. These “techniques” also have included roughly grabbing or kicking prisoners’ genitals, twisting limbs into painful positions, including the shackling of hands to feet for lengthy time periods, hanging prisoners from the ceiling, use of dogs to terrorize the detainees, prolonged isolation from others, mock executions and beatings.
As of February 2006, at least 86 prisoners have died in U.S. custody and 35 of those cases are being investigated as homicides from use of these or similar “techniques.”
Under the Geneva Conventions, these “techniques” constitute torture and are illegal. These “techniques” also are defined as torture and illegal under the Convention Against Torture Treaty, ratified by the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
Interrogation experts have stated torture is not an effective interrogation technique because prisoners will say anything to get the pain to stop. Torture not only harms the detainee but it demeans the U.S. Americans shouldn’t use torture because our enemies will justify torturing American prisoners based on our practices. Please let your elected officials know that you believe torture is wrong and should stop. ... "
Under Bush’s direction and with his approval, American personnel have used water-boarding, forced exposure to freezing cold and extremely hot temperatures, forced sleep deprivation (often for more than 24 hours), forced nakedness (when unnecessary for search purposes and solely to humiliate the prisoner) and other “special techniques” on detainees. These “techniques” also have included roughly grabbing or kicking prisoners’ genitals, twisting limbs into painful positions, including the shackling of hands to feet for lengthy time periods, hanging prisoners from the ceiling, use of dogs to terrorize the detainees, prolonged isolation from others, mock executions and beatings.
As of February 2006, at least 86 prisoners have died in U.S. custody and 35 of those cases are being investigated as homicides from use of these or similar “techniques.”
Under the Geneva Conventions, these “techniques” constitute torture and are illegal. These “techniques” also are defined as torture and illegal under the Convention Against Torture Treaty, ratified by the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.
Interrogation experts have stated torture is not an effective interrogation technique because prisoners will say anything to get the pain to stop. Torture not only harms the detainee but it demeans the U.S. Americans shouldn’t use torture because our enemies will justify torturing American prisoners based on our practices. Please let your elected officials know that you believe torture is wrong and should stop. ... "
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