11/11/2008
year:
2008
Aston, PA–On Wednesday, November 12, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) will hold a “National Day of Witness for a Presidential Executive Order to Ban Torture.” Participants in the day’s events seek to persuade President-elect Barack Obama to sign such an Executive Order as one of his first official actions in office. In meetings taking place around the country, participants -- in most cases including local religious leaders -- will also ask Members of Congress to support NRCAT’s call for a Select Committee on Torture to conduct a full investigation into the use of “enhanced interrogation techniques” by U.S. personnel since 9/11.
In Media, interdenominational members of NRCAT are meeting with Congressman Sestak at his local Media office at 2:15 p.m. They will ask Representative Sestak to support the call for a Select Committee and to use his influence to urge the newly elected President to issue an Executive Order when he assumes office in January to dismantle the torture infrastructure created by the current Administration.
Reporters around the country are encouraged to participate in a national telephone press conference prior to the meeting in Media, Pennsylvania. During the conference call, leaders of the campaign will explain the urgency behind this “Day of Witness” and will describe the events occurring that day, including a procession and public witness in front of the White House, as well as the numerous meetings around the country between religious leaders and influential members of Congress.
The event at the White House is expected to attract hundreds of people of faith, many of whom will be carrying anti-torture banners that have been displayed outside their places of worship over the past few months.
Earlier this year, in June, NRCAT, as part of the Campaign to Ban Torture – a project of NRCAT, the Center for Victims of Torture and Evangelicals for Human Rights, released a “Declaration of Principles” (pasted at the bottom of this email), outlining the six pillars upon which an Executive Order banning torture should be based. At that time, nearly 200 religious, military and government leaders had endorsed the Declaration. Since then, dozens of religious organizations, including the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Islamic Society of North America and the Union of Reform Judaism, and thousands of individual people of faith around the country have signed on.
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The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a growing membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Since its formation in January 2006, more than 240 religious groups have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Roman Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations
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Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive
Order on Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty
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 us by 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.
