Abolish Torture Now: Join Faith Leaders in Urging Congress to Act
“What does it say if torture is condemned in word, but allowed in deed?”
– Advertisement by 27 religious leaders in The New York Times
Religious leaders from across the faith spectrum today joined Nobel laureates Jimmy Carter and Elie Wiesel in a call for the U.S. government to abolish torture – without exceptions. Concerned by assertions from the U.S. government that torture and inhumane treatment could be permitted in some cases, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) published this statement in an advertisement in The New York Times today: “Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and morally intolerable.”
Among the signatories of the statement are Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, Rev. Rick Warren, author of the best selling A Purpose Driven Life, Jim Wallis, Executive Director of Sojourners, and Dr. Sayyid Syeed, National Director of the Islamic Society of North America. FCNL is a founding member of NRCAT and helped organize this advertisement. See the advertisement and read a full list of signatories.
Take Action Now
Write your members of Congress today. Urge your senators and representative to join these faith leaders in calling for Congress to pass legislation abolishing torture – without exceptions. You can find a sample message and contact your legislators directly through FCNL's online legislative action center.
Got a little more time? FCNL will be joining with other groups on June 26, United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, to call on Congress to clearly state that torture is never acceptable, anywhere, anytime. Visit www.tortureawareness.org to find out more
Background
Torture and inhumane treatment have long been banned by U.S. treaty obligations and are punishable by U.S. criminal statute. Last year, Sen. John McCain (AZ) led a successful effort to pass legislation outlawing torture. But the U.S. government continues to argue that a little bit of torture may be okay, in some cases. For example, in the month of June:
- The Pentagon reportedly decided to amend the Army Field Manual so that in the future U.S. soldiers will not be required to abide by a key tenet of the Geneva Convention that bans “humiliating and degrading treatment” of prisoners. Read excerpts from the current Army Field Manual that the Pentagon is attempting to amend.
- The Pentagon directed military doctors to violate codes established by the American Medical Association and participate in the forced feeding of detainees on hunger strike. According to press reports, under the new guidelines doctors and psychiatrists may observe interrogations and advise interrogators but are barred from direct participation. Read the Physicians for Human Rights statement against the Pentagon policy.
- Investigators from the Council of Europe, a human rights body established by European governments, confirmed reports in the Washington Post that 14 European nations colluded with U.S. intelligence to abduct prisoners and transport them to secret detention facilities in Europe where they would be beyond the protection of any laws
For more information see FCNL’s web site.
Contacting Legislators
Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Contacting the Administration
Contact the President through FCNL's web site.
White House Comment Desk:
202 456-1111
Fax: 202-456-2461
White House web site
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
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