Stand Up Against Torture!

Over the past eight years, our military and intelligence agencies—at the direction of Congress and the White House—have detained and tortured thousands of individuals at Guantánamo Bay, military prisons abroad, and secret CIA “black site” prisons. President Obama promised change, but that promise has been slow to materialize as torture continues and former officials remain free from investigation or prosecution.

This Thursday, June 25, is Torture Accountability Action Day, and Friday, June 26, is the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. During these days of action, we invite you to stand with others around the country to support victims of torture, demand accountability and investigation of potential abuses, and ensure that torture in the U.S. becomes a thing of the past.

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we stand up and reject the betrayal of our nation’s most fundamental values. Hold our representatives accountable to their campaign promises and oaths of office to defend not only our nation’s physical borders, but also our values and Constitution.

What you can do:

Groups around the country are hosting a wide variety of events and action opportunities during these days of action, from documentary screenings and vigils to picnics and conferences. Participate in an event in your area or plan one of your own!

We also invite you to call your elected representatives and speak out against torture. Tell your senator and representatives to take action on the following issues:

Demand transparency. All available evidence about detainee treatment—including videos of interrogations and photos of potential abuse—must be publicly disclosed, rather than legislatively entombed. If secret photos could place our troops abroad at greater risk, that is a reason to prosecute the torture depicted in them, not to sweep the evidence under the rug.
Support the appointment of an independent prosecutor. The Justice Department must undertake a thorough investigation and, if warranted, prosecute all those who authorized or committed torture. Only prosecution can restore the legitimacy of our criminal justice system, and to ensure that torture never happens in our names again.
End military commissions. Kangaroo courts didn’t work under the Bush administration and the Obama administration’s cosmetic changes won’t fix them. Federal courts respect the rule of law and are fully capable of adjudicating the cases of detainees.
Reject indefinite or preventive detention schemes. Our Constitution and core values demand that we prosecute crime where evidence exists, and presume the innocence of individuals when it does not. Mere suspicion is never enough to justify detention, and any authority to detain people without charges—such as an indefinite or preventive basis—violates our Constitution.

Close Guantánamo. Congress should work with the President to close the prison promptly and either charge and prosecute, or repatriate, the individuals held there.

Take a stand to reject the travesties and abuse carried out in our names and demand accountability. Now is the time to raise your voice!