Human Rights First | End Torture Now

Law & Security

Congress Votes to Enforce Ban on Torture (02/13/08)

We welcome the Senate vote to restore dignity and the rule of law to prisoner treatment and interrogation policy by requiring adherence to the Army Field Manual by all U.S. interrogators. This legislation will ensure that the United States no longer employs interrogation methods it would condemn if used by our enemies against captured Americans. Its enactment will send a clear message to the people of the United States and the rest of the world that the United States is serious about honoring its commitments to uphold the Geneva Conventions and all prohibitions on torture and other inhuman treatment.

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9/11 Style Commission Needed to Investigate Abuses

Major Gaps in U.S. Government Investigations into Torture and Abuse - HRF Report
(PDF-401KB)

Retired Military Leaders Call for Independent Investigation into Abu Ghraib and Other Abuses (PDF-27KB)

Ghost Detainees

HRF Report Details Detention of Ghost Prisoners (March 2005) (PDF-486KB)

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HRF Reports on Torture

Major Gaps in U.S. Government Investigations into Torture and Abuse (PDF-401KB)

More About HRF's Campaign to End Torture

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Torture Resources

U.S. Government Reports

Schmidt Report
(PDF-1.6MB)

Taguba Report - 800th MP Brigade at Abu Ghraib
(PDF-223KB)

Fay/Jones Report - 205th MI Brigade at Abu Ghraib
(PDF-911KB)

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U.S. Government Memos

John Yoo Torture Memo on Military Interrogations (3/14/2003) (PDF-5.8MB)

Jan. 21, 2005: Abraham Sofaer Letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy (PDF-166KB)

In this letter the former State Department legal adviser takes exception with Alberto Gonzales? interpretation of the ban on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Justice Department Memo on Torture and Interrogation Techniques (8/1/02)
(PDF-2.6MB)

Geneva protections "quaint"; Alberto Gonzales memo to President Bush (1/25/02)
(PDF-593KB)

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Proposed Legislation Creating Independent Panel to Investigate Abuses

S. 12, sec 224 (Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del) (PDF-25KB)

H.R. 3003 (Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Cal) (PDF-31KB)

Red Cross Reports

Report on Coalition Forces Compliance with Geneva (Feb. 2004) (PDF-1.3MB)

Detention Facilities

Abu Ghraib

Guantanamo Bay

Bagram Airbase

Secret Detention Facilities

Laws and Treaties Prohibiting Torture

Summary of U.S. and International Law

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Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
(PDF -144KB)

Documentaries

Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

Taxi to the Dark Side