May 23rd, 2008
Posted by Caroline Fredrickson, Director, ACLU Washington Legislative Office at 4:09pm	National Security

Caroline Fredrickson: It's Time to Turn on the Cameras and Stop Torture

Last night, the House of Representatives adopted an important provision to end torture and abuse during interrogations. While the amendment's name sounds like an unpronounceable law firm: the Holt/Tauscher/Grijalva/Schakowsky Amendment (to the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act), the effect of the amendment, if enacted, would be powerful. The amendment requires the recording and retention of videos of interrogations of people in the Defense Department's custody. The amendment would bring these interrogations into line with recommended best practices for military and law enforcement interrogations — increasing accountability for compliance with anti-torture laws.

Torture and America

This amendment does a great deal to restore justice and humanity to our nation's interrogation policies. A hat tip to Representatives Holt, Tauscher, Grijalva and Schakowsky for offering this vital amendment that begins to undo the damage done to our nation's values caused by recent revelations of torture by American personnel.

This straightforward videotaping requirement may do more to shut down the government's torture program than many of the new laws passed by Congress. Federal interrogators will soon learn what hundreds of police departments using videotape for interrogations have learned — it's harder to break the law when the camera is running.

The Holt/Tauscher/Grijalva/Schakowsky Amendment passed by a vote of 218-192, with 15 Republicans and 23 Democrats breaking party ranks. Last year, the amendment lost, with 12 Republicans and 44 Democrats breaking party ranks, meaning the amendment's sponsors, the ACLU, and other opponents of torture picked up 3 Republicans and 21 Democrats since last year's vote.

Now, the President has said he will veto the legislation if it gets to his desk. But we are gaining allies even on the Republican side of the isle, and the American people are leading Congress to get serious about ending the abuses of the Bush administration. Starting with ending torture and closing Guantanamo.

The ACLU letter to House of Representatives urging support of the Video Recording of Interrogations Amendment is available at: www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35440leg20080522.html

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1. Fuck the ACLU Says:
   May 24th, 2008 at 1:25am

   http://www.stoptheaclu.com
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   http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200402270920.asp
   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20000831/
   aponline171914_000.htm
   http://thinkrightaz.blogspot.com/2006/10/giffords-aclu-liberal-agen da.html
   http://www.www.stoptheaclu.com

2. Terry Olson Says:
   May 24th, 2008 at 10:31am

   Ahhh, #1? I think you're at the wrong spot to selling those goods.

3. Eddie Says:
   May 24th, 2008 at 10:51am

   The admins behind this site need to install a spam plugin :)

4. Jan Foulk Says:
   May 24th, 2008 at 11:43am

   It has seemed to me for a long time that all interrogations (perhaps all interaction between law enforcement and citizens) needs to be videotaped and sound recorded for any results to be legally use-able.

   It is marvelous that this idea has floated up to those who can possibly do something about the abuse of humans who are being questioned. It will even avoid faulty memories, and make law-enforcement people safe from false accusations, too.

5. Rebel Farmer Says:
   May 24th, 2008 at 7:20pm

   I follow the actions of Congress pretty closely, and I was not aware that this bill was even up for a vote so that I could call my congress critter with my opinion. I go over to DKos every day and look for stuff, particularly McJoan who covers these issues.

   I'd really like to see some way to rally the "troops" when this kind of legislation comes up. There seems to be a lot of avenues for Democrats, but not much for Republicans or Independents. Any suggestions?

6. george bush Says:
   Aug 22nd, 2008 at 2:47am

   You people are as fucked up as a square bicycle wheel

7. r Says:
   Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:38am

   r

8. james white Says:
   Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:39am

   we can not stop torture we are torture.

9. james white Says:
   Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:40am

   we are obama is torture

10. james white Says:
    Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:41am

    sorry

11. dork Says:
    Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:49am

    hey

12. james white Says:
    Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:49am

    IS eny one out ther