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There’s No Debate: Torture Hindered the Hunt for Bin Laden

5-5-2011

By Sharon Kelly McBride
Communications Director

Stand with U.S. interrogators and debunk the myth that torture "works."

In the war on terror, the most wanted men to date have been captured thanks to intelligence developed by interrogators who do not use torture.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and his successor, Abu Faraj al-Libi, may have provided the nom de guerre of one of Bin Laden’s most trusted aides.

But U.S. interrogators agree that torture actually hindered, rather than helped, U.S. efforts to find Bin Laden. Five leading former interrogators sharply criticize those who falsely claim that torture played a key role in finding Bin Laden.

Stand with them! Push back on the myth that torture led the U.S. to Bin Laden.

Here’s what they have to say:

  • The use of waterboarding and other so-called “enhanced” interrogation techniques almost certainly prolonged the hunt for Bin Laden.
  • Torture is a poor way to develop useful, accurate information.
  • The U.S. would have learned more from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other high value detainees if, from the beginning, professional interrogators had a chance to question them using the sophisticated, yet humane, approaches approved by U.S. law.
  • Abusive questioning techniques did not help, but only hindered, the United States’ efforts to find Bin Laden.

Join them by signing on to the statement and help debunk the myth that torture helped the U.S. find Bin Laden. Stand with U.S. interrogators who say that torture hindered our hunt for Bin Laden.

Help us send a clear message. Torture does not work.


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Posted in Blog | 2 Comments »

  • patty guerrero

    The people who believe in torture must think it was good to torture Jesus, too.

  • Dominic Chan

    Torture generally is bad. But we cannot just sit behind and said that authorities will not torture, especially during dire circumstances or time-bomb situations. Legalizing torture perhaps is the best way to legitimize and do it properly with legalized consent. If authorities wish to torture (during a time-bomb situation) they need to obtain a warrant – which has to be queried and signed by two judges, a prosecutor, and a high ranking police officer (of Captain or Sheriff’s rank). Any form of torture which is not legitimized by authorities is illegal and can be prosecuted. This includes any informal forms of torture and/or abuse in whatever circumstances. Any illegal forms not only an individual can be prosecuted but the agency and/or department is/are liable for compensation (no questions asked-if direct evidence points to abuse).