Join the Center for Victims of Torture, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and Evangelicals for Human Rights in the Campaign to Ban Torture: American Voices for American Values.
The Campaign calls on the President to issue an Executive Order that unequivocally rejects torture and cruelty. Respected faith, military, foreign policy and national security experts have endorsed the Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive Order on Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty, which urges the President to support six core principles of humane treatment:
The “Golden Rule.” We will not authorize or use any methods of interrogation that we would not find acceptable if used against Americans, be they civilians or soldiers.
One national standard. We will have one national standard for all US personnel and agencies for the interrogation and treatment of prisoners. Currently, the best expression of that standard is the US Army Field Manual, which will be used until any other interrogation technique has been approved based on the Golden Rule principle.
The rule of law. We will acknowledge all prisoners to our courts or the International Red Cross. We will in no circumstance hold persons in secret prisons or engage in disappearances. In all cases, prisoners will have the opportunity to prove their innocence in ways that fully conform to American principles of fairness.
Duty to protect. We acknowledge our historical commitment to end the use of torture and cruelty in the world. The US will not transfer any person to countries that use torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Checks and balances. Congress and the courts play an invaluable role in protecting the values and institutions of our nation and must have and will have access to the information they need to be fully informed about our detention and interrogation policies.
Clarity and accountability. All US personnel—whether soldiers or intelligence staff—deserve the certainty that they are implementing policy that complies fully with the law. Henceforth all US officials who authorize, implement, or fail in their duty to prevent the use of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners will be held accountable, regardless of rank or position.
The Declaration's signatories, "include two other former secretaries of state, Madeleine K. Albright and Warren Christopher; three former defense secretaries, William S. Cohen, William J. Perry and Harold Brown; and three former national security advisers, Anthony Lake, Sandy Berger and Zbigniew Brzezinski. The list includes more than 30 retired generals and admirals; a handful of former C.I.A. officers; four former World War II interrogators; and more than 100 leaders of religious congregations, divinity professors and other religious figures" (New York Times, 06/25/08).
Join the Facebook and YouTube communities!
Visit the Campaign to Ban Torture website for more information and resources for advocates.
The Midwest Coalition for Human Rights has officially endorsed the Campaign to Ban Torture and the Declaration of Principles.
