Potential National Clandestine Services Director has Troubling Record on Torture

Washington, D.C. – Recent reports have indicated that an unnamed CIA official who was heavily involved in the post-9/11 CIA torture program is being considered for director of the national clandestine services at the CIA. In response to this news, Human Rights First’s Elisa Massimino issued the following statement:

“By banning the CIA black sites and prohibiting the use of abusive interrogation methods, President Obama has been resolute in his opposition to the CIA’s post-9/11 torture program.  CIA Director Brennan has similarly emphasized that waterboarding is “inconsistent with American values and it’s something that should be prohibited.”  I’m deeply concerned that an individual who was apparently intimately involved with the CIA torture program is now being considered for a top post at the CIA.  Anyone who had a direct operational involvement in the torture program has no place in CIA’s leadership.  Director Brennan needs to send a clear message to the CIA and the American people that torture is unlawful, counterproductive, and contrary to American values.  He can do that by constructively engaging with the Senate Intelligence committee on its study of the post-9/11 CIA interrogation program.  That study should be made public so the American people can have a comprehensive assessment of what was done in their names.”