The Senate Can Stop Torture - Friends Committee on National Legislation

[helderheid]

Legislative Action Message: September 18, 2006



The Senate Can Stop Torture

Congress is in a bind. Many members of Congress are opposed to any legislation that would condone torture, secret prisons, or other programs that would undermine U.S. security, and violate the moral principles on which this nation was founded. But member of Congress are under pressure because the president is arguing that these techniques are necessary for the defense of the United States. Hearing from their constituents now could help them resolve this dilemma and do the right thing. Please contact your senators today to let them know you oppose brutal, inhuman and degrading treatment and secret prisons: <http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=9029976&type=CO>.

Normally, we at FCNL provide you with legislative suggestions on Thursday. This week we’re contacting you on Monday because members of Congress may be asked to vote in the next few days on legislation proposed by President Bush that would legalize the use of secret prisons and torture (what he calls an "alternative set of interrogation procedures"). The president argues he needs this capability to extract intelligence information that could prevent new attacks on the United States and that he says needs this legislation to be passed before Congress adjourns at the end of September for the election campaign season.

Senators from both major political parties, former government officials, and retired military leaders have been encouraging Congress not to rush to pass legislation. “The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism,” warns former Secretary of State Colin Powell. He joins other former military leaders, several groups of retired judges, and Senators John McCain (AZ), John Warner (VA), and Lindsey Graham (SC) in stating that Congress should not undermine the internationally accepted standards for treatment of prisoners articulated in the Geneva Conventions. (Read some of the statements here: <http://www.fcnl.org/civil_liberties/>).

This debate is not abstract. The president is asking for permission to hold “disappeared” prisoners in secret locations, without access to the International Red Cross, the nonpartisan international organization that monitors the treatment of prisoners worldwide. He wants the CIA to have permission to handcuff prisoners in uncomfortable standing positions for up to 40 hours, to induce hypothermia by putting prisoners in cold cells and dousing them with water, by frightening them with attack dogs and near drowning experiences, and by using a series of other torture techniques. Civilized nations agree that these techniques are immoral and according to military leaders they don’t lead to useful (accurate) intelligence information.
Take Action: Torture is Not Acceptable, Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere

Write your senators today to urge them to resist any rush toward approving the president’s proposal and to speak out against torture and secret prisons.Urge Congress to reject the president's proposals and consider carefully any changes to existing law governing treatment of U.S. detainees. Write your Senators: <http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=9029976&type=CO>

Read more:<http://www.fcnl.org/civil_liberties/>
Contacting Legislators

Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

FCNL's Congressional Directory


Contacting the Administration

Contact the President through FCNL's web site.

White House Comment Desk:
202 456-1111
Fax: [phone]
White House web site

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

[mom cat]

1. K&R

[helderheid]

2. thanks mom cat!

[mom cat]

3. You bet. This is critical. ... rate this one up folks!

:kick:

[midnight]

4. Just say no......to secret prisons!!!!!!!!