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Campaign Against Torture

Friday, April 27, 2007
Posted in Human Rights | Tagged Human Rights

This month marks the third anniversary of the disclosure of the abuse of detainees by US forces at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Since the Abu Ghraib scandal broke, PHR has been a leader in the effort to oppose the Bush Administration’s detainee treatment and interrogation policies. PHR’s Campaign Against Torture, in partnership with health professionals and other leading human rights organizations, has made major progress toward restoring the US tradition of opposing torture, humanely treating detainees and upholding the highest standards of military medical ethics. I have been honored to lend my voice to help PHR in this work.

Some important milestones in PHR’s campaign include:

• Successfully advocating for adoption by the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association of policies prohibiting their members’ direct participation in national security interrogations
• Mobilizing the support of leading health professionals to ensure passage of the McCain Amendment prohibiting the torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees
• Coordinating efforts to oppose the 2006 Military Commissions Act (MCA), which the White House has used to justify some of the CIA’s abusive interrogation methods

Despite this progress, several significant challenges lie ahead. PHR’s leadership will continue to be essential to ensuring that the CIA’s abusive interrogation program is explicitly prohibited and that the Military Commissions Act is amended to be consistent with American values.

PHR will also continue to push Congress in the coming months to investigate who is responsible for authorizing and implementing the US regime of psychological torture. Finally, PHR will work to defend the core principles of medical ethics by pressing the Pentagon’s new leadership to ensure that health professionals have no direct role in national security interrogations.

The Campaign Against Torture is one of many PHR initiatives aimed at protecting the health and human rights of people around the world. PHR relies on philanthropic support to ensure that we have the resources to continue advancing the health and dignity of the most vulnerable populations. Please show your support and make a donation today.

Brig. General Stephen Xenakis, MD (USA-Ret.)
Advisor to PHR’s Campaign Against Torture

P.S. The JEHT Foundation has pledged $100,000 over two years in a challenge grant to PHR. The JEHT Foundation will match every new gift to PHR, dollar for dollar, as well as all increased gifts. Make the most of your contribution and donate today.

� Tell a friend about this opportunity to help end torture by US personnel.