Nadler, Delahunt to introduce 'American Anti-Torture Bill'

[babylonsister]

Nadler, Delahunt to introduce 'American Anti-Torture Bill'

Democratic Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) and William Delahunt (Mass.) will soon introduce legislation - the "American Anti-Torture Act of 2007" - to ban torture of detainees by any U.S. government agency, including the CIA or other intelligence units.

The two veteran Democrats want to build upon an amendment added by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to the 2006 supplemental Defense bill banning the use of any interrogation technique not included in the Army Field Manual.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter circulated by Nadler and Delahunt, the two lawmakers say they want to "ensure a uniform, minimum standard for interrogations of detainees by the U.S. government. The American Anti-Torture Act ensures that individuals in U.S. custody are not tortured, a core standard already embodied in the Army Field Manual. In doing so, it reasserts basic American values as a basis for government action."

The Army Field Manual specifically bans the use of force or inhumane treatment against any detainee.

"Torture is abhorrent to American moral values and inconsistent with our deep adherence and respect for the rule of law," Nadler and Delahunt wrote.

"We should not make ourselves vulnerable to charges of hypocrisy, nor expose our troops to potential mistreatment by adhering to anything less than the standards of a civilized nation. By once and for all outlawing torture, we will be demonstrating our commitment to that standard."

more...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1007/Nadler_Delahunt_to_introduce_American_AntiTorture_Bill.html

[ProfessorPlum]

1. torture is already illegal

I don't see what passing more laws against will do except give Cheney more chances to break even more laws.

We've seen this time and again. They break the laws. We pass new laws saying we really really mean it! They ignore new laws too.

[babylonsister]

2. But no one is acknowledging it's being done despite overwhelming

evidence to the contrary. I don't know where this might go, if anywhere, but if passed (and why wouldn't it be?), it's just another law that can be ignored. I imagine these guys have their reasons, but I'll be darned if I know what they think they might accomplish.

[The Stranger]

4. Good point -- can someone awaken the Nancy Disaster and see if it will let us impeach?

[rurallib]

3. Like Bushco is going to follow some silly law

They're above all that.