ACLU Says No Room For Compromise On Banning Torture

New Administration And Congress Should Strictly Prohibit Abusive Interrogations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

NEW YORK – News reports indicate that some members of Congress may be considering compromising over whether to completely end the Bush administration’s disastrous policies of torture and detainee abuse.

The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU:

“We are confident that when President-elect Obama fulfills his pledge to close Guantánamo and end the military commissions, he will also, once and for all, put an end to the un-American Bush administration policies of torture and abuse. We expect that President-elect Obama will appoint someone to head the CIA who will uphold the principles of due process, human rights and the rule of law. When it comes to restoring American values at home and abroad, there is no room for cutting corners or political compromise. Now is the time to forcefully turn the page on this shameful chapter in our nation’s history.”

The following can be attributed to Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:

“Congress must do its part in making sure that brutal interrogation methods, including waterboarding and other kinds of torture, are never used again. Last year, Congress did the right thing and passed a law requiring the CIA to follow the same rules used by the military, but it was vetoed by President Bush. It is up to the next Congress to send this law to President Obama’s desk — and up to Obama to put this requirement into effect on day one by executive order. The United States cannot regain its role as an international leader on freedom and human rights until these horrific practices are ended.”