US Senate motion against cruel degrading treatment

USA: Senate motion against cruel and degrading treatment

The Senate's leadership affirming the ban on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and moving toward establishing uniform standards on treatment of detainees is welcome. It is crucial that the U.S. government provides clear guidance for its soldiers and personnel in this regard and abides by its international obligations.

Amnesty International urges the Senate to go further by establishing an independent commission to conduct an open and comprehensive investigation into the abuses in Abu Ghraib and elsewhere, to ensure that such violations do not occur again. The investigation must go up the chain of command to those responsible for creating an atmosphere allowing and condoning such actions, and not focus instead almost exclusively on the lower ranking soldiers.

The White House should embrace the McCain amendment as is. It as an important step toward protecting the rights of all human beings by providing clear guidance on humane treatment.

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