Hon. Rush Holt
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Re: H.R. 4951, requiring videotaping of interrogations of enemy prisoners

Dear Rep. Holt:

On behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union and its more than 400,000 members, dedicating to preserving civil liberties while ensuring the protection of our national security, we are pleased to endorse H.R. 4951.

H.R. 4951 would require the videotaping of interrogations or other "pertinent interactions" between guards, interrogators, or other personnel and prisoners or other detainees in the custody of the United States military. While these videotapes could be classified for the protection of privacy or national security interests, the act of videotaping would certainly act as a deterrent to torture or other abuse. The videotapes would be available to the prosecution and defense in any military or civil trial.

The legislation would also require unfettered access to prisoners by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and by United Nations officials.

H.R. 4951 will provide crucial safeguards to ensure compliance with our treaty obligations under the Geneva Conventions and the Convention Against Torture, and to ensure humane treatment of detainees. H.R. 4951 will also enhance our national security. The prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib undermined America's image in the world and provided a propaganda victory for terrorist organizations. H.R. 4951 can help prevent any repeat of Abu Ghraib.

Sincerely,

Laura W. Murphy
Director, Washington Legislative Office

Timothy H. Edgar
Legislative Counsel