lawsnotmen.org The Robert Jackson Steering Committee

This recently released report, Indefensible: A Reference for Prosecuting Torture and Other Felonies Committed by U.S. Officials Following September 11th, serves as a practitioner’s reference addressing the domestic and international laws implicated by the actions of certain former high-ranking government officials.  The report lays the groundwork for litigation against those responsible for approving and using illegal interrogation techniques that were the official policy of the Bush Administration.

More than a decade after the onset of the Bush Administration’s post-9/11 anti-terrorism policies, not a single torture survivor has succeeded in holding a top government official accountable in a U.S. court for the indefensible act of torture due in large part to legal maneuvering by both the Bush and Obama Administrations.  While certain actions taken by President Obama indicate his desire to break with the lawlessness characterized by the Bush Administration, he has failed to fulfill his international legal obligation to investigate these crimes of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.  The report is a call for action.  If accountability cannot be achieved through the courts, it becomes even more critical that the U.S. government properly investigate acts of torture either through the appointment of a Special Counsel or alternatively by Congressional enactment of a Commission of Inquiry.

The report is the result of a multi-year collaborative effort between Human Rights USA and the International Human Rights Law Clinic at American University Washington College of Law.  

Read the full report, and view the press release.  In addition, you may request a hardcopy of the report by e-mailing info@humanrightsusa.org.  Please include “Accountability Report Request” in the subject line, as well as the appropriate return address listed in the body of the e-mail.  You may also make a request by calling (202) 296-5702.

If you've wanted to be part of a powerful effort to bring Bush-era officials to justice for their crimes, now is your chance. We've joined a national effort to reach out to the people of Spain, whose courts are considering prosecuting six of Bush's lawyers under international law. Our campaign includes an open letter and ads in prominent Spanish newspapers and billboards.

Even though the Obama administration has been working hard behind the scenes to stop this, our friends at the Center for Constitutional Rights have already submitted proof to the Spanish courts that our government is not taking action under international law and treaties. Now is our chance - we can keep the wheels of justice turning by doing people-to-people diplomacy now.

Here's what you do: Read and sign the letter to the Spanish people at http://rootsaction.org

WarIsACrime.org's name is behind it.  The letter will go to the Spanish embassy and consulates across the country on Monday - Valentine's Day.  We'll also bring Spanish officials flowers and invite the media.  You can join us in these events.  Get details at http://rootsaction.org

But we can't stop there. We've designed a billboard and newspaper advertisement that says in Spanish, "Please do what the U.S. won't. Prosecute torturers." We are raising money to place ads and billboards around Madrid where the country's leaders will see that there are Americans who want the case to continue.

We need to raise $30k to make this happen, so please consider a generous donation toward bringing the message directly to the Spanish people.  Read and sign the letter at http://rootsaction.org

The Robert Jackson Steering Committee
http://lawsnotmen.org
October 29, 2010
For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Charlotte Dennett, (802) 644-5898
David Swanson, (202) 329-7847, david@davidswanson.org

FOIA Appeal to DOJ on Torture Cites Effort to Conceal Crimes

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