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Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
Leave No Marks: "Enhanced" Interrogation Techniques and the Risk of Criminality
A
new report issued by Human
Rights First and Physicians
for Human Rights provides the first comprehensive look at the legality of
10 so-called “enhanced” interrogation
techniques in light of the medical evidence on their mental and physical impact. Many
of these techniques are widely reported to have been authorized for use by the
CIA. On July 20, the President issued an Executive Order on the CIA interrogation
program that fails to prohibit these techniques. The report finds that
each of these techniques, including mock-drowning, sexual humiliation, severe
isolation and sensory bombardment are prohibited by U.S. law and could subject
U.S. officials who authorize or use them to criminal prosecution.