Human Rights First

Note: You've got to respect that this is not a politically charged piece, but rather a non-partisan plea for recognizing human rights. I can't believe people really even need to fight for these things in America. It shocks me.

Dear Jenny,

The previously unseen photographs from Abu Ghraib, the UN report recommending closure of Guantanamo, and the government whistleblower hearings - all in the news last week - put a new spotlight on torture and abuse in U.S. facilities.

But the media is showing you only a small part of the picture. Human Rights First has independently and tirelessly researched U.S. mistreatment of detainees - a problem that goes far beyond Abu Ghraib. Just today we released an eye-opening report, titled Command's Responsibility.

We came to a disturbing conclusion: Dozens of detainees were killed in U.S. custody, 8 of whom were tortured to death. In most cases, not one person was held responsible. Even more distressing, no higher-level officials have faced a criminal charge, even as they are the root of the problem.

This can be fixed. America's reputation can be restored. Please click here to ask President Bush to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy for commanders who allow torture and abuse to occur on their watch.

This zero-tolerance approach requires:

• Immediate and full implementation of Sen. John McCain's ban on torture and cruel treatment. You helped this become law; now we must ensure it becomes practice.
  
• Written orders from the President, as Commander in Chief, to military commanders and civilian leaders of the intelligence agencies, in which the President specifies that abuses like waterboarding, stress positions, sexual humiliation, beatings, and other cruel and inhuman treatment are illegal and will not be tolerated.
  
• All those who authorize or engage in wrongdoing must be held accountable.

Not only did commanders fail to give troops clear guidance, they inadequately investigated the cases – and they mustbe held accountable for unlawful acts about which they knew or should have known. As long as commanders can get away with this unlawful behavior, the problem of torture and abuse will persist. Click here to read our report.

The Pentagon claims these abuses are being adequately addressed – yet investigators failed to interview key witnesses, and failed to collect or maintain useable evidence. Out of the 34 detainee deaths the government classifies as homicides, only 12 have resulted in punishment of any kind.

Click here to urge President Bush to make sure we close this dangerous accountability gap and fix the problem. This is a critical step, not only in the interest of justice but also as a matter of national security. If not addressed, this problem will continue to expose our troops to needless risk - and will increase the likelihood that torture and abuse will continue. Thank you for sharing our conviction that torture should not be tolerated.

Sincerely,

Jill Savitt
Director of Campaigns
Human Rights First