On April 16, President Obama granted amnesty to torturers – stating that CIA officials would not be prosecuted for their use of water boarding and harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects under the Bush administration.
While we applaud Mr. Obama for banning torture within forty-eight hours of taking office, we are extremely disappointed in his unwillingness to uphold the rule of law where former officials have committed crimes against U.S. and international human rights law.
Military and intelligence experts have said torture is ineffective. It is immoral, illegal and contrary to our American values. Those responsible for torture must be held accountable.
Dear President Obama,
On April 16, you stated that CIA officials would not be prosecuted for having used waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods on terrorism suspects under the Bush administration. We believe your decision to not prosecute those who are responsible for torture is wrong, and should be reversed immediately.
Upon taking office, you ordered a halt to internationally condemned interrogation techniques -- yet have failed to demand transparency or accountability to upholding American democratic ideals by claiming "this is a time for reflection, not retribution." But prosecution of torturers is not retribution -- it is part of our country's obligations under U.S. and international law.
The United States ratified the UN Convention against Torture in 1994, which prohibits torture as an independent crime, as a war crime and as a crime against humanity in all circumstances. Under our obligations to the Convention against Torture, the U.S. is legally bound to investigate and submit cases of torture to competent U.S. authorities for prosecution, and the victims of human rights violations are entitled to an effective remedy.
We applaud your initial commitment, including the three executive orders you signed within forty-eight hours of taking office, to reject the unlawful policies of the previous administration. Over the last seven years, the U.S. has been on the wrong side of its human rights obligations. But stopping torture cannot be used as an excuse when failing to seek truth and reconciliation for these crimes.
Sincerely,
