“Christians believe that man is made in the image of God, that every person is of intrinsic worth before God, and that every individual has a right to the fullest possible opportunity for the development of life abundant and eternal. Denials of rights and freedoms that inhere in man's worth before God are not simply a crime against humanity; they are a sin against God.” (National Council of Churches in Christ)
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” (Archbishop Desmond Tutu)
In several high profile situations, the US is in violation of international and US law regarding treatment of prisoners.
A United Nations Report has recommended that the U.S. refrain from "any practice amounting to torture" and bring the detainees to trial or release them without further delay.
What Will Help:
· Allow an interfaith delegation to visit Guantanamo to assess US commitment to rule of law and humane justice.
· Close the Guantanamo Bay retention camp in Cuba.
Background:
Federal law and international treaties to which the U.S. is a party prohibit the transfer of any person to any country where they are likely to face torture.
Nonetheless, the U.S. government has sent or has been complicit in sending individuals to countries like Egypt, Jordan and Afghanistan, countries which the State Department has criticized for practicing torture.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and U.S. government officials have conceded that they cannot monitor or ultimately control the actions of other countries with histories of practicing torture, placing the human rights of detainees at serious risk.
Bills that would end the practice of U.S. extraordinary rendition to nations that practice torture
· Pass HR952 ("Torture Outsourcing Preventing Act," Rep. Ed Markey, MA)
· Pass S654 ("Convention Against Torture Implementation Act," Sen. Patrick Leahy, VT)
· Urge that provisions of these bills are in final Conference Committee report
(3/2006)