Defense Department Releases Documents Relating To Detainee Abuse In U.S. Custody Overseas

Key Details Of Illegal Interrogation Methods Remain Redacted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

NEW YORK – The Department of Defense today released documents, some with significant redactions, related to detainee abuse in U.S. custody at Guantanamo and other overseas locations. The 12 documents were released as part of an American Civil Liberties Union Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. The Obama administration agreed to reprocess the documents, but continues to withhold many key details related to the Defense Department’s use of illegal interrogation methods. In some documents, the Obama administration has withheld details that were previously disclosed by the Bush administration.

The following can be attribited to Amrit Singh, staff attorney at the ACLU:

“These documents provide still more evidence of the widespread and systemic abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and other overseas locations. They further underscore the need for a congressional select committee to examine the roots of the torture program as well as an independent prosecutor to investigate issues of criminal responsibility.

“Key details relating to the Defense Department’s use of illegal and abusive interrogation methods have, however, been redacted from these documents. In some documents, the Obama administration has even withheld details previously disclosed by the Bush administration. The withholding of this information makes a mockery of President Obama’s promise of transparency.”

The documents are available online at:
www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/40122res20090702.html