US armed forces used torture 'systematically' (ACLU)

[maddezmom]

Source: Middle East Times


WASHINGTON -- The US armed forces have been using torture indiscriminately, a human rights group charged Monday.

"Moreover, more than 100,000 pages of government documents released in response to American Civil Liberties Union Freedom of Information Act request reveal that a pervasive and systemic pattern of harsh interrogation techniques have been used by military personnel indiscriminately in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay," the ACLU said in a statement Monday.

"The documents include evidence that detainees have been beaten; forced into painful stress positions; threatened with death; sexually and religiously humiliated; stripped naked; hooded and blindfolded; exposed to extreme heat and cold; denied food and water; isolated for prolonged periods; subjected to mock drownings; and intimated by dogs," the group said.


Read more: http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20070626-081041-7767r

[peacebird]

1. I'm so "proud" to be American :sarcasm: k&r

[indepat]

2. where at least I know I'm free (more sarcasm)

[saigon68]

3. Military Thugs and Hoodlums

Being cheered on by the NeoCons and Gangster Cheney in particular

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

4. I've requesed help

from aclu for the torture and constitutional violations I'm enduring.....they remain silent on this though.

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Please amplify. What are you enduring? n/t

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. Original Report Here

Really nothing new here:

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/30222prs20070625.html

ACLU Renews Call on Congress to Investigate U.S. Detainee Torture and Abuse on Eve of International Day Against Torture

(6/25/2007)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [e-mail]

NEW YORK -- In anticipation of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention Against Torture, the American Civil Liberties Union reiterated its call on Congress today to create an independent and bi-partisan commission to thoroughly investigate policies and practices of torture and abuse against detainees held in U.S. custody.

"It is a sad commentary that on a day that used to be about calling on rogue countries to stop the practice of torture and abuse, Americans cannot at least hold their heads up high in the knowledge that their own government has behaved according to international legal and moral standards," said Jamil Dakwar, Advocacy Director of the ACLU's Human Rights Program. "It is time for Congress to finally thoroughly investigate the chain of command that allowed this to happen, and to also make sure that the victims of these disgraceful actions have a proper avenue for redress."

The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment went into effect in 1987 and was ratified by the U.S. in 1994. It forbids governments from deliberately inflicting severe physical or mental pain or suffering upon those under their control and prohibits the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Convention also prohibits the transfer or the rendition of persons to countries where they could be at risk of being tortured. Over recent years, it has become clear that the U.S., as part of the so-called "war on terror," has repeatedly violated the Convention. Last year, the U.N. Committee Against Torture condemned the U.S. for its policies that had led to the widespread abuse against detainees, including the use of torture.

...

"Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment" here: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_cat39.htm

[John Q. Citizen]

6. If the ACLU knows about this, why don't the Dem leadership? Don't they really much care about it?

[redqueen]

8. Good question.

Better question:

Why would we, as the people responsible for voting for these so-called 'leaders', continue to vote for them, and promote them to others, despite their inaction on this issue?

[EFerrari]

11. The Democratic leadership has been out to lunch.

Shame on them.

[unkachuck]

9. when....

....the war crimes tribunal occurs, will it be televised?

[ovidsen]

10. This slimy trail goes alll the way to the tip

I don't want to hear any bullshit about "isolated incidents" and plausible deniability.

This is simply business as usual at the Bush White House. Our alleged commander in chief, who is dumber than a tree stump, may not have all the facts, but you can bet his "subordinates" (I. E. The people really running the show, Cheney, Rove, etc) are not only cognizant of this torture policy; they drafted it and are encouraging it.

One of these days the worms are gonna crawl out (or get dragged out) from under the log they'be been hiding under, and I pray it's before the first primaries early next year.

Here's to Bush, not only thr worst president ever, but a man who surrounded himself with "advisors" who think the Constitution (espespecially the Bill of Rights) are as vital and important as a wad of used Scotties toilet paper.

When, oh when is Americal gonna wake up? Will it wake up in time? Or will we be looking forward to 4 years of Giuliani. Or worse.

Juat a vent. It's late and I'm tired. For those of you who managed to plow through it, thanks. I hope you agree with at least some of it.