New report on doctors and torture; Torture Awareness Month activities

Yesterday, Physicians for Human Rights released a shocking new report, Experiments in Torture: Human Subject Research and Evidence in the ‘Enhanced’ Interrogation Program, about the role of medical personnel at Guantanamo. The report, based on publically available information, concludes that health professionals, in their role as monitors of the CIA Enhanced Interrogation Program (EIP), conducted human experimentation and research on prisoners in U.S. custody. The results of this research were critical components for the fabrication of a legal framework construed to protect interrogators from prosecution for committing acts of torture and also served to refine the illegal torture practices used by the U.S. government.

This news is disturbing and shocking. Clear standards of medical ethics have been breached. Illegal human experimentation is a violation of both American and international law, including the Nuremberg Code, the Geneva Conventions, and federal regulations governing human subject research. We already knew that the EIP included interrogation methods that constituted torture, but it is disturbing to learn that these acts, done in all of our names, could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Read the New York Times editorial Doctors Who Aid Torture 

 These revelations remind us that much remains hidden about American interrogation practices since 9/11, and that a full investigation remains necessary in order to hold those responsible accountable. In order to move forward, we must first do teshuvah for what we have done.

View a video response from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture

June is Torture Awareness Month, when we stand solidarity with all those around the world who are the victims and survivors of torture. As Jews, we know too well what it means to be victims of torture, and that torture of one person by another denies our shared creation in the image of God. This week’s news reminds us that we must continue to raise the voice of the Jewish community to speak out against torture done in our name as Americans and around the world.

Take Action:

Click here to join in the call for a Commission of Inquiry by sending a letter to your Members of Congress and to the President.

New Curriculum on Jewish Values and Torture

We are pleased present our new 5-part curriculum based on Rabbi Melissa Weintraub’s articles on Jewish Values and Torture. Meant to be used either as a series or as stand-alone lessons, these interactive classes delve to the heart of the Jewish values behind our work against torture and the importance of k’vod habriot, human dignity. They are appropriate for use with high school, college, and adult education classes. The curriculum also includes the NRCAT video Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever, along with a discussion guide for Jewish audiences. We are very excited to bring you this fantastic resource!

More activities for congregations are available from NRCAT!

 Sincerely,

Steven Gerber

Executive Director

Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster

Director of Education and Outreach