A chance to stand against torture

To Minnesota supporters of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture Dear Friends: One of NRCAT's projects is a collaborative one with the Center for Victims of Torture and Evangelicals for Human Rights called the Campaign to Ban Torture. That effort is urging the next president to issue an executive order prohibiting torture. We are collecting endorsements from leaders in the faith, foreign policy, security and military communities now for the statement below my name Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive Order on Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty which will be used to encourage the president to issue an executive order prohibiting torture. After we garner the names of leaders, we will be working on a grass roots strategy this summer to collect the endorsements of many people of faith and others across the nation. The June 26, 2008 public launch of the Campaign to Ban Torture will mark the beginning of an intensive public education campaign. Leading up to the campaign's national launch, we hope to talk with local and regional organizations that want to be a part of this effort. A staff person for the Center for Victims of Torture, Lauren McGrath, will be working in Minnesota and three other states to talk with faith and other organizations about this project. Lauren will be in Minnesota May 19-22. The Declaration is embargoed for public release until June 26, so please don't publicize it until then (although after June 26 we would greatly appreciate your help publicizing it). If you are interesting in talking with Lauren about this project either when she is in Minnesota or later on, please email lmcgrath@cvt.org. Sincerely, Richard Killmer Rev. Richard L. Killmer Executive Director National Religious Campaign Against Torture 316 F Street NE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20002 Tel: 202.547.1920 or 207.846.1614 Fax: 202.547.1921 www.tortureisamoralissue.org Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive Order On Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty (This statement is embargoed until released on June 26, 2008) Though we come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life, we agree that the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against prisoners is immoral, unwise, and un-American. In our effort to secure ourselves, we have resorted to tactics which do not work, which endanger US personnel abroad, which discourage political, military, and intelligence cooperation from our allies, and which ultimately do not enhance our security. Our President must lead our nation back to our core principles. We must be better than our enemies, and our treatment of prisoners captured in the battle against terrorism must reflect our character and values as Americans. Therefore, we believe the President of the United States should issue an Executive Order that provides as follows: 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. This initiative is coordinated by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Evangelicals for Human Rights, and the Center for Victims of Torture.

You have received this message because you endorsed the "Torture is a Moral Issue" statement of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture OR you signed up to receive more information from NRCAT.

If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, please click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

Questions? Please email campaign@nrcat.org
National Religious Campaign Against Torture: www.tortureisamoralissue.org