Denounce Torture


Good News in Our Work to End Torture and Ill-Treatment!


In the past week, Congress banned the government from using any money in a newly passed State Department and Defense Department spending bills to render someone to a country where they will likely be tortured or to subject any person in US custody to torture. The amendments to HR 2863, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, and HR 2862, Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, were proposed by Congressman Markey (MA) and passed the House with overwhelming majority support. The inclusion of these provisions would not have been possible without thousands of Amnesty International activists and others advocating for the US government to end any acts of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and hold those accountable in the military and civilian chains of command who have had involvement in the formulation or carrying out of such policies.

In addition, yesterday Congressman Waxman (CA), together with Congresswoman Pelosi (CA), Congresswoman Harman (CA) and Congressman Skelton (MO) introduced a bill to establish an independent commission to investigate detainee abuse. The bill has over 170 cosponsors, and reflects many of the specific recommendations made by Amnesty International. It is a further indication of the growing momentum to stop practices that encourage torture and ill-treatment and investigate fully past practices to establish responsibility and accountability. More importantly, it is a testament to the efforts of Amnesty International activists to educate the public and pressure the government to address allegations of torture and ill treatment of detainees in US custody.

There is still much work to do. Substantive restrictions on the use of diplomatic assurances used to render people to countries that torture, which is addressed by Congressman Markey's "Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act" (HR 952) and Senator Leahy's "Convention Against Torture Implementation Act" (S 654), have yet to be passed. Congressman Waxman's bill for an independent commission needs more cosponsors and bipartisan support. Stay tuned to the Denounce Torture website where there will soon be updated actions on these issues.

Together we are making a difference to end torture and ill-treatment.

Read AIUSA's statement on the Waxman legislation. »