Stop the Torture!

A year ago, Amnesty International began investigating whether or not human rights were being respected in Iraq once the government of Saddam Hussein was toppled by the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Hussein's government was known widely to have tortured its enemies and murdered its opponents. One of the stated reasons for the invasion of Iraq was to put an end to these atrocities.

Amnesty International (AI) is a nonpartisan international organization. It investigates human rights abuses wherever there is reason to believe that they occur. AI does not favor one nation over another or one political ideology over another.

AI's findings regarding how Iraqi prisoners are treated in the Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. and British soldiers are disturbing. In a report issued in March, AI stated:

"Detainees have reported being routinely subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment during arrest and detention. Many have told Amnesty International that they were tortured and ill-treated by U.S. and U.K. troops during interrogation. Methods often reported include prolonged sleep deprivation, beatings, prolonged restraint in painful positions, sometimes combined with exposure to loud music, prolonged hooding, and exposure to bright lights. Virtually none of the allegations of torture or ill-treatment has been adequately investigated by authorities."

For the whole report, go to: Iraq: One year on the human rights situation remains dire .

The U.S. and the U.K. are both parties to the historic Geneva Convention (1949), which forbids such treatment of prisoners of war or civilians in occupied lands. AI further reports that it did not find that such torture was confined to just one prison, but rather that it was widespread. AI has called for investigations into the alleged abuses, conducted by a competent, impartial, independent body that is trusted by all sides, and that its conclusions be made public.

The news media in the U.S. has just recently began to cover this story. The U.S. Congress is promising action. You can take action by writing to your representative in Congress, and urging him or her to advocate for a thorough investigation. Go to: Contact Your Congressperson to find your representative. Many even have e-mail links here as well.

Catholic Connections

"Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and treated humanely. Actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes, as are the orders that command such actions. Blind obedience does not suffice to excuse those who carry them out."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church #2313

Reflection Questions

Why is it important for nations not to use torture against prisoners, even if at war? What does such abuse do to the process of peacebuilding in Iraq?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!