Call on President Bush to oppose torture
11/17/2005
Dear Editor,
“America owes its men and women in uniform a policy worthy of their sacrifices.”
--Senator Chuck Hagel (R)
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/notorture
It was reported today that dozens of Iraqis may have been tortured by their Iraqi captors in a Baghdad-area Interior Ministry building. “A senior Iraqi official who visited the detainees said two appeared paralyzed and others had some of the skin peeled off their bodies by their abusers."1
There are also troubling new reports that torture is not just confined to Iraqi prisons. Yesterday, two former Iraqi detainees filed a complaint with the ACLU that U.S. troops had subjected them to mock executions and other inhumane practices during interrogations in 2003.2
Fortunately, John McCain, Harry Reid and other leaders in Congress are rapidly moving forward on bipartisan legislation that would ban cruel and inhuman treatment of prisoners. The Senate passed the torture ban last month by a vote of 90-9 and the bill has a good chance of passage in the House of Representatives.
The only remaining obstacle in putting the torture ban into law is the White House. The Vice President has already threatened an administration veto on the torture ban unless the CIA receives an exemption. This is unacceptable. We need to act now and show the White House that torture is not an American value and should never be the policy of the United State.
Call on President Bush to oppose torture today:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/notorture
Even the president’s own allies and colleagues have come out against the use of torture by U.S. servicemen and women.
“If we are viewed as a country that engages in torture ... any possible information we might be able to gain is far counterbalanced by (the negative) effect of public opinion… This battle we’re in is about the things we stand for and believe in and practice. And that is an observance of human rights, no matter how terrible our adversaries may be.”
—Senator John McCain (R-AZ)3
“I think the administration is making a terrible mistake in opposing John McCain’s amendment on detainees and torture.”
—Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE)4
“I’m a strong supporter of Senator McCain’s amendment. I don’t think the White House should veto it.”
—Former Secretary of State Colin Powell5
“The United States can win the war on terrorism without sacrificing our values.”
—Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)6
Last month, over 50,000 Democracy for America members called for a responsible exit plan from Iraq. Largely due to your efforts, the United States Senate passed a bipartisan resolution this week designating 2006 as “a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty… thereby creating the conditions for the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq.”
The Senate resolution on Iraq isn’t perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction; and it demonstrates the power of our voices when we come together. Now, let’s use our voices once again to put an end to torture. Join me and call on President Bush to oppose torture today:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/notorture
Democracy for America leaders in Washington D.C. will deliver the signatures to the White House. And volunteers in every state will deliver the names to their state Republican Party, asking them to join the call against torture. Do your part by signing the petition today:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/notorture
Thank you for all you do.
Tom Hughes
Executive Director
Democracy for America
REFERENCES:
1 Torture Alleged at Ministry Site Outside Baghdad
The Lawsuit Against Rumsfeld Torture Policies
2 Torture Alleged at Ministry Site Outside Baghdad
3 A Dangerous Veto Threat
4 Senate, Cheney divided over torture ban
5 Exclusive La Voz interview with Colin Powell
6 Bill OK’d to curb detainee abuse