Aug 24th, 2009
Posted by Ateqah Khaki, National Security Project at 11:13pm	Torture

New Torture Documents, Same Old Story

So the big news today was the release of the CIA inspector general's (IG) report from May 2004 (PDF) made public as part of our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, and Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement of a decision to appoint a prosecutor to conduct a preliminary investigation into whether federal laws were violated during the interrogation of detainees in U.S. custody.

But the IG report wasn't the only big document dump the ACLU received today. This evening, we received more than 60 documents, dating from 2002 through 2007. Included are memos, letters, and documents between the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) and the CIA about the torture and interrogation of detainees in U.S. custody.

This document (PDF), a background paper sent by the CIA to the OLC, actually contains an official detailed account of the CIA’s detention, interrogation and rendition programs — from a detainee’s initial apprehension, to his transfer to a CIA “black site,” to his interrogation — and describes the use of abusive interrogation techniques including forced nudity, sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation and stress positions.

The May 2004 IG report provides a detailed description of torture and abuse of detainees and addresses the legality and effectiveness of the agency's "enhanced interrogation" program under the Bush administration. Although we initially received this report as part of our FOIA case in May 2008, it was so heavily redacted (PDF), we learned very little. While the version made public today still contains heavy redactions, it does include newly unredacted sections and details of serious detainee abuse in CIA custody that were previously unknown.

According to the IG report, agents committed mock executions and threatened to harm at least one detainee, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, with a gun and a power drill if he did not cooperate with the interrogation. Al-Nashiri is represented by military attorneys assisted by the John Adams Project, a joint effort by the ACLU and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to provide support for the under-resourced military defense counsel in the Guantánamo military commissions.

While we welcome the positive step toward accountability for torture that Attorney General Holder made in announcing a preliminary investigation into the abuses committed, we are disappointed that he is still unwilling to commit to conducting a full investigation and prosecuting any crimes that are uncovered. We will never achieve real accountability by limiting the scope of an investigation, and overlooking those who commissioned and authorized these illegal acts — including those at the highest levels of our government.

Send Attorney General Holder a message today to let him know that you support a full and thorough investigation of torture that follows the evidence — wherever it may lead.

Permalink |	Torture

Tags: accountability

1. Jerry Malone Says:
   Aug 25th, 2009 at 3:13am

   Well i see nothing changed,What is this the begaining of a which hunt stop now and get back to work on stuff that americans need.Not just trying to take down some inniocent guy cause someone else told him to do it ,im done i though this was for change not same old same old good luck to ya

2. Mark Gerrit Says:
   Aug 26th, 2009 at 9:27am

   Let's not torture innocent Moslems who are clearly a friendly bunch. We can though string up ACLU whackos with piano wire since this will make this great nation much safer.

3. Vic Livingston Says:
   Aug 26th, 2009 at 4:36pm

   WHAT REDACTED CIA REPORT LEAVES OUT:

   DETAINEES APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO MICROWAVE / LASER RADIATION 'DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS' TO INDUCE EXHAUSTION, FATIGUE, WEAKNESS, MOOD CHANGES, MENTAL INFIRMITY, PHYSIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION.

   ELECTROMAGNETIC TORTURE SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF UNJUSTLY TARGETED AMERICANS SUBJECT TO A 'MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATED ACTION PROGRAM' OF EXTRAJUDICIAL TARGETING AND PUNISHMENT -- TORTURE.

   The U.S. government has weaponized the electromagnetic spectrum. Microwave and laser directed energy weapons systems -- portable and via telecommunications -- have been deployed reportedly as a covert means of inflicting silent torture and social control over those deemed to be "dissidents," undesirables, whitsle-blowers...

   ...an American genocide / politicide overseen by a secretive federal-local "program" that involves "community stalking" via covertly placed GPS devices; financial exploitation and expropriation; and the co-optation of local law enforcement.

   THIS AMERICAN GESTAPO MUST BE TAKEN DOWN BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, whose policies and personnel are being sabotaged from within.

   http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vigi lante-network-terrorizes-america
   http://nowpublic.com/world/domestic-torture-radiation-weaponry-amer icas-horrific-shame

   OR (if links are corrupted / disabled):

   http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA" ("stories" or link within other articles on page)

4. Vic Livingston Says:
   Aug 26th, 2009 at 4:39pm

   (Second attempt to post this; I believe my internet telecommunications are subject to unconstitutional prior restraint and/or censorship by government operatives using warrantless surveillance programs as a pretext to harass and censor political speech in America.)

   WHAT REDACTED CIA REPORT LEAVES OUT:

   DETAINEES APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO MICROWAVE / LASER RADIATION 'DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS' TO INDUCE EXHAUSTION, FATIGUE, WEAKNESS, MOOD CHANGES, MENTAL INFIRMITY, PHYSIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION.

   ELECTROMAGNETIC TORTURE SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF UNJUSTLY TARGETED AMERICANS SUBJECT TO A 'MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATED ACTION PROGRAM' OF EXTRAJUDICIAL TARGETING AND PUNISHMENT -- TORTURE.

   The U.S. government has weaponized the electromagnetic spectrum. Microwave and laser directed energy weapons systems -- portable and via telecommunications -- have been deployed reportedly as a covert means of inflicting silent torture and social control over those deemed to be "dissidents," undesirables, whitsle-blowers...

   ...an American genocide / politicide overseen by a secretive federal-local "program" that involves "community stalking" via covertly placed GPS devices; financial exploitation and expropriation; and the co-optation of local law enforcement.

   THIS AMERICAN GESTAPO MUST BE TAKEN DOWN BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, whose policies and personnel are being sabotaged from within.

   http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vigi lante-network-terrorizes-america
   http://nowpublic.com/world/domestic-torture-radiation-weaponry-amer icas-horrific-shame

   OR (if links are corrupted / disabled):

   http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA" ("stories" or link within other articles on page)

5. Vic Livingston Says:
   Aug 26th, 2009 at 7:24pm

   (this comment appeared to post earlier today. When I checked this blog at about 8:20 p.m., the post was missing. I believe my telecommunications are subject to prior restraint and/or censorship by government operatives who use warrantless surveillance as a pretext to harass and censor. If they are using so-called "spoofed pages" to make it appear to me that the post has been taken down when it has not, they are committing color of law violations, using telecommunications as a tool of harassment. When will the ACLU address these apparent Gestapo-like tactics?)

   ***

   WHAT REDACTED CIA REPORT LEAVES OUT:

   DETAINEES APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO MICROWAVE / LASER RADIATION 'DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS' TO INDUCE EXHAUSTION, FATIGUE, WEAKNESS, MOOD CHANGES, MENTAL INFIRMITY, PHYSIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION.

   ELECTROMAGNETIC TORTURE SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF UNJUSTLY TARGETED AMERICANS SUBJECT TO A 'MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATED ACTION PROGRAM' OF EXTRAJUDICIAL TARGETING AND PUNISHMENT -- TORTURE.

   The U.S. government has weaponized the electromagnetic spectrum. Microwave and laser directed energy weapons systems -- portable and via telecommunications -- have been deployed reportedly as a covert means of inflicting silent torture and social control over those deemed to be "dissidents," undesirables, whitsle-blowers...

   ...an American genocide / politicide overseen by a secretive federal-local "program" that involves "community stalking" via covertly placed GPS devices; financial exploitation and expropriation; and the co-optation of local law enforcement.

   THIS AMERICAN GESTAPO MUST BE TAKEN DOWN BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, whose policies and personnel are being sabotaged from within.

   http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vigi lante-network-terrorizes-america
   http://nowpublic.com/world/domestic-torture-radiation-weaponry-amer icas-horrific-shame

   OR (if links are corrupted / disabled):

   http://NowPublic.com/scrivener RE: "GESTAPO USA" ("stories" or link within other articles on page)

6. Mike Says:
   Aug 27th, 2009 at 11:41am

   The ACLU doesn't care about american citizens or our safety. As long as the ALCU gets its face time in the american media and fattens it wallet they have accomplished what they want. The ACLU represents what is wrong in our country. I dont need them speaking for my right. Thats what the constitution is for.

7. Latest News Says:
   Aug 27th, 2009 at 12:54pm

   Why is the ACLU giving out pictures of CIA agents to our enemies?

8. Paen Says:
   Aug 27th, 2009 at 2:24pm

   Do you get many of your ideas from Hitler Mark?He loved watching films of people being strung up with piano wire.

9. Christine Biedul Says:
   Aug 27th, 2009 at 5:24pm

   No sarcasm here, Americans need to stop these sadistic acts toward anyone.

10. Pete Etolen Says:
    Sep 8th, 2009 at 7:15pm

    You should be ashamed of yourself. This group is doing nothing but putting the CIA agents lives in danger photographing them and showing them to terrorists. You all should take a good look at what you are doing to this country. You are hurting the national defense of the country and are aiding and abeting the terrorists. You all should be charged with Treason and anyone else who supports this project.

11. Bonnie Guckin Says:
    Sep 9th, 2009 at 7:37pm

    How ignorant and evil this John Adams group is, putting CIA agents lives in danger by photographing them and showing them to suspected terrorists! The real patriot John Adams would turn in his grave to know such atrocities were being committed in his name...and comparing this illegal practice to John Adams defense of slaughtered Americans from the Boston Massacre...give me a break...are you really comparing the masterminds of Terror Attacks like 9/11 to those brave rebels who won our freedom? The ACLU are a bunch of hypocrites to partner with such a group...rallying for the rights of suspected terrorists while violating federal agents rights.

12. Christine Biedul Says:
    Sep 12th, 2009 at 2:29pm

    Hypocrites? What about the outing of Valerie Plame wasn't she a CIA agent? Torture is never acceptable.
    The Geneva Convention states that clearly.

13. Peter Mooring Says:
    Nov 14th, 2009 at 5:17pm

    Directed energy weapons (DEW) are used at the moment by our national secret services to murder and steal. These new weapons based on radiowaves have become very advanced the last decade, they cook (!) and burn through walls at distances up to hundreds of meters from devices mounted in houses and cars. But also can zap you from small devices carried in handbags or shopping bags. DEW are part of electronic weapons that include mind reading equipment (sub-vocal is quite easy) and equipment to put voices into your head.

    Our fascist Western governments cannot use bombs against their population but now have the perfect weapons of control, silent and leaving no evidence. Probably the most horrible consequence of these weapons is that you can NOT protect yourself, your children, your loved ones anymore. You can no longer say: stay in this room, you are safe here. Attackers simply look and cook and burn through walls. Police cannot protect you, security services cannot protect you. That is why these electronic weapons must be banned!

    http://www.petermooring.nl/blog/

    http://www.stop eg.com/peoplecookers.html
    http://www.peoplecooker.com/

    Other sites:

    http://www.thehiddenevil.com/

    http://www.raven1.n et/

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