No accountability for war crimes?
The recently released "torture memos" provide evidence that the United States authorized brutal interrogation methods. Not only were these techniques particularly harsh, but they violate international standards. In fact, the memos authorized techniques that the US government itself has prosecuted other nations for practicing.[1]
President Obama has done the right thing in putting an end to these practices, but that is not enough. Torture is a crime, and no one, not even government officials, should be above the law.
Tell the Attorney General: We can't just look the other way on torture. We need a full investigation and accountability.
We are building a movement for accountability. Last week, Faithful America members took action, calling on their local newspapers to endorse accountability. This weekend, editorial boards across the nation -- from sources diverse as the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Cincinnati Inquirer and the Dallas Morning News -- condemned the "torture memos" and demanded justice for those who may have broken the law.
Earlier today, President Obama said that while he favors "looking forward" the decision to investigate US-sponsored torture will ultimately be up to Attorney General Holder, opening a door the White House had seemed to want kept shut. [2]
This is a welcome change of direction! We need to keep the momentum going. Our politicians won't act unless the American people demand they do so.
Sign the petition: Let Attorney General Eric Holder know the American people demand accountability.
We all want to turn the page on this dark chapter of our nation's history, but we know all too well that without consequences for our mistakes, we are bound to repeat them.
Standing for human rights is one of the central tenants of all faiths. That's why Faithful America is proud to join diverse human rights activists, from the United Nations to the ACLU, in calling for accountability for torture.
Our partners will deliver petition signatures from Faithful America and a broad coalition of other human rights organizations and activists to Attorney General Holder later this week.
Click here to add your name to the petition.
Thank you for all you do,
Beth, Katie, Dan Kristin and Jennifer
The Faithful America Team
Sources:
[1] https://mail.pittcentralcatholic.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=5521a95e2253452e80af254a00d483e2&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsalsa.democracyinaction.org%2fdia%2ftrack.jsp%3fv%3d2%26c%3dmEver4pdA8ylvrPZ4ILL1DGggSgEMUFM
[2] https://mail.pittcentralcatholic.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=5521a95e2253452e80af254a00d483e2&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsalsa.democracyinaction.org%2fdia%2ftrack.jsp%3fv%3d2%26c%3d%252BlOEe4Fe8E35XHgf2gilezGggSgEMUFM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment