Amnesty International Calls for Absolute Prohibition on Torture, Inhumane

[seemslikeadream]

Mar 10, 2005 Geneva
Amnesty International is calling for an absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment in all circumstances, including the war on terrorism. Amnesty says it will be pushing for action on this issue at the Commission meeting when it begins its annual session next week in Geneva.

When it comes to torture, Amnesty International says there must never be any excuse or any exception. It says torture and ill-treatment or degrading punishment is forbidden under all circumstances.

But, Peter Splinter, who is Amnesty International's Representative at the U.N. in Geneva, says events in places such as Afghanistan, Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba show that this long-held prohibition against torture and inhumane treatment is slipping away.

"That prohibition applies at all times and in all circumstances. We are looking for members of the Commission and observer governments to speak loudly in reaffirming that absolute prohibition," he said.

more
http://www.politinfo.com/articles/article_2005_03_10_5947.html

[ixion]

1. all times and in all circumstances

including BushCo 'liberations' :grr:

[Say_What]

2. Rouge Country USSA --aka the Evil Empire or the Banana Empire

Afghanistan, Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, also note Israel and Colombia--the world's second and third largest recipients of US military AID. From the article:

<clips>

...But, Peter Splinter, who is Amnesty International's Representative at the U.N. in Geneva, says events in places such as Afghanistan, Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba show that this long-held prohibition against torture and inhumane treatment is slipping away.

"That prohibition applies at all times and in all circumstances. We are looking for members of the Commission and observer governments to speak loudly in reaffirming that absolute prohibition," he said.

...Amnesty International urges the Commission members to end, what it calls, their shameful failure to act on human rights violations in countries such as Zimbabwe, Iraq, Chechnya in the Russian Federation and the United States in Guantanamo.

It also calls for strong action against Sudan for the ongoing atrocities in Darfur, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Turkmenistan and the barrier Israel is building in the West Bank.

[VegasWolf]

3. Well, they just lost the good ole USA! n/t

[gratuitous]

4. This seems like a no-brainer

Which is why it will meet with vehement opposition from the no-brain types in the U.S., including the Herr Bushler's corrupt administration.

[alfredo]

5. But, But we don't torture

we let others do it for us.

[Moderator]

6. kick to combine threads

[struggle4progress]

7. Amnesty International Calls for Prohibition on Torture

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
10 March 2005

Amnesty International is calling for an absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment in all circumstances, including the war on terrorism. Amnesty says it will be pushing for action on this issue at the Commission meeting when it begins its annual session next week in Geneva.

When it comes to torture, Amnesty International says there must never be any excuse or any exception. It says torture and ill-treatment or degrading punishment is forbidden under all circumstances.

But, Peter Splinter, who is Amnesty International's Representative at the U.N. in Geneva, says events in places such as Afghanistan, Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba show that this long-held prohibition against torture and inhumane treatment is slipping away.

"That prohibition applies at all times and in all circumstances," he said. "We are looking for members of the Commission and observer governments to speak loudly in reaffirming that absolute prohibition." <snip>

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-10-voa49.cfm

[Jack Rabbit]

8. There is already a prohibition on torture

See here. It's pretty sweeping as I read it, too.

What we need is to bring a few Torquemada wannabes to justice. I'll start with the Frat Boy, Rummy, Gonzales and General Miller.

[struggle4progress]

10. Since AI traditionally emphasized such international instruments,

and originally never took a stand not rooted in such instruments, there is probably something additional to say on the matter, such as a disheartening lack of enforcement or limitations depending on being signatory.

AI Index: IOR 41/012/2005 (Public)
News Service No: 056
10 March 2005

Embargo Date: 10 March 2005 10:30 GMT
2005 UN Commission on Human Rights: An important opportunity to address human rights violations whenever and wherever they occur

On the eve of the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International calls on the Commission, its Members and observer governments to reaffirm unequivocally that the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment applies in all circumstances, including the "War on Terror".

"Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are prohibited in all circumstances, without any possible exception or derogation, including in times of war, unrest or emergency. The Commission must also acknowledge that statements and any other evidence that has been obtained as a result of torture or ill-treatment shall not be invoked in any proceedings, except against a person accused of torture of ill-treatment," Peter Splinter, Amnesty International's representative at the UN in Geneva, said.

"Governments have a responsibility to ensure the security of their citizens. However, any measures to prevent or respond to attacks by armed groups or individuals will only be effective if they are fully consistent with international law. The Commission can support this by expanding the Independent Expert's mandate on counter-terrorism and authorize him to monitor and analyze the impact on human rights of measures taken by states to combat terrorism," Peter Splinter said. <snip>

The organization urges the Commission members to end their shameful failure to act on human rights violations in countries such Iraq, Russian Federation (Chechnya), USA (Guantánamo Bay) and Zimbabwe. That failure lies behind the legitimacy deficit that the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change characterized as casting doubts on the overall reputation of the United Nations. Every Commission member and observer government shares the responsibility to act at the 61st session to re-establish the credibility and professionalism of the Commission. <snip>

[VegasWolf]

9. Well, hell, that lets out the good ole usa! n/t