Religious leaders to lobby Obama for torture inquiry

[kpete]

Source: Raw Story

Religious leaders to lobby Obama for torture inquiry

By Stephen C. Webster

Published: June 8, 2009

Eight spiritual leaders from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, representing some 250 member organizations from around the United States, will demonstrate in front of the White House on Thursday, giving “public witness” to their support of an inquiry on torture.

President Barack Obama has said repeatedly he would like to “look forward,” sidestepping calls from many in his own party to investigate torture of terror war prisoners authorized by the Bush administration.

Prior to their demonstration, the group will discuss their letter to the president at the National Press Club, beginning at 11 a.m., according to a media advisory. While the NRCAT delegates will not have an audience with the president, senior White House officials have agreed to meet with them, the group said.

“We agree we must look forward — forward to a future where torture will never happen again,” the group’s letter submits. “But we believe that the only avenue to, and guarantee of, such a future is a Commission of Inquiry. An investigation of U.S.-sponsored torture will only be credible and thorough if conducted by a Commission comprised of citizens who are well-respected, non-partisan, and independent-minded.”

Read more: http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/08/spiritual-leaders-torture/