Psychologists adopt anti-torture policy

[Kadie]

Psychologists adopt anti-torture policy
By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer
9 minutes ago


NEW ORLEANS - The American Psychological Association took a stand against torture Thursday but kept an existing policy saying that it's ethical for psychologists to assist in military interrogations.

Critics said the new policy, adopted at the group's convention, does not go far enough to keep its members from becoming embroiled in practices that could violate the principles of human rights.

"The ultimate question is, should psychologists participate in national security interrogations, and the answer is no," said Leonard Rubenstein, executive director of Physicians for Human Rights. "It's a question that other medical groups have addressed and the APA has not."

snip...
"The Association unequivocally condemns any involvement by psychologists in torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This APA policy applies to all psychologists in all settings," a statement released by the organization said.

An APA policy issued last year said that while psychologists should not get involved in torture or other degrading treatment, it was ethical for them to act as consultants to interrogation and information-gathering for national security purposes.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060811/ap_on_re_us/psychologists_torture_2

[tigereye]

1. about time!

now we just need to stop the government from inflating and reinforcing irrational paranoia about terrorism!

[Mend]

2. Psychiatrists, who are M.D.s, have always

refused to participate in torture and the American Psychiatric Association has always said it was malpractice for psychiatrists to take part in interrogations. Glad the psychologists (PhDs) are finally getting it or at least part of it.

[Sinti]

3. Does this mean they'll also stop shock treatments and ice water baths? n/t