The Osterley Times: Not in My Name

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Not in My Name

As June has been designated anti-torture month, this blog has taken the stance that it would be fitting for the blogosphere to lead and support the efforts being made by the Bloggers Against Torture campaign to highlight the scandals that are being perpetrated in our names.

From Human Rights watch:

Each day brings more information about the appalling abuses inflicted upon men and women held by the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world. U.S. forces have used interrogation techniques including hooding, stripping detainees naked, subjecting them to extremes of heat, cold, noise and light, and depriving them of sleep—in violation of the Geneva Conventions and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This apparently routine infliction of pain, discomfort, and humiliation has expanded in all too many cases into vicious beatings, sexual degradation, sodomy, near drowning, and near asphyxiation. Detainees have died under questionable circumstances while incarcerated.

This must end. Torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading practices should be as unthinkable as slavery. U.S. Department of Defense officials have announced that certain stress interrogation techniques will no longer be used in Iraq. But President Bush should ban all forms of abuse during interrogation in Iraq and everywhere else that the United States holds people in custody. It is wrong in itself and leads to further atrocities.

Please consider joining this campaign and helping our voices be heard.

The idea that our governments are engaging in this activity fills most right minded people with disgust. We can no longer sit idly by and allow this inhumane activity to continue.

If it angers you, join us. Let's make so much noise that they have to pay attention.

Click title to add your voice.