Observe Torture Awareness Month 2009: Steps you can take in your community this June

This year, as Torture Awareness Month approaches, we have much to be thankful for, and much work to do. We are grateful to the President for his January 22nd Executive Order outlawing all of the harsh interrogation methods which had been permitted by the Bush Administration and revoking the legal opinions that laid the groundwork for the use of torture by American soldiers and interrogators. The recent release of the "torture memos" is also an important step forward for government transparency. Both the President and the Attorney General have called waterboarding what it is--torture. But the new Administration, using the langauge of "moving forward," has so far resisted called for a complete inquiry into American detention policy since 9/11, and many lawmakers seem eager to follow him.

During this year's Torture Awareness Month, we ask you to take two steps. The first is to remember all those around the world who are victims of torture: to give them a face and to hear their stories. The second is to continue to work to bring about an Commission of Inquiry to investigate American use of torture and to hold those responsible accountable.

Torture Survivors

TASSC (The Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coaliton) has a program to bring torture survivors to speak in your community. Hearing their powerful accounts first-hand reminds us that the torture debate is not an abstract discussion. People around the world have been the victoms of torture, and the fact that the United States used these techniques has done serious damage to our moral authority. We must humanize the debate. To bring a torture survivor to your community, please visit TASSC's website: http://www.tassc.org/index.php?sn=107

TASSC also has a 1-hour video called "Torture Survivors Speak Out" that is available for $25 and includes a curriculum. To obtain the video, please contact alice-z@tassc.org.

Ending Torture Forever

One exciting new resource available for your community is NRCAT's new video and study guide, "Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever." This brief video features interviews with people of faith, religious leaders, a victim of torture, and a former U.S. interrogator. We hope you will show it in your community during Torture Awareness Month or at any point during 2009.

For more information, please see: http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=312&Itemi...

Study:

Today there is much discussion about torture vs. security. We encourage you to use our study session on the limits of self-defense:

http://www.rhr-na.org/resource/rhr-na-curriculum

More educational resources from NRCAT:

http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid...

Liturgy

Please consider using RHR-NA's misheberach for victims of torture during services in June:

http://www.rhr-na.org/resource/misheberach-victims-torture

The following reflection can be used before a program or speaker on torture:

http://www.rhr-na.org/resource/service-a-gathering-address-us-sponsored-...

This Hashkivenu is written to remember all those who have sufferend from torture and abuse:

http://www.rhr-na.org/resource/hashkiveinu-asking-god-shelter-with-promi...

NRCAT has written an interfaith prayer to mark Torture Awareness Month:

http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=332

Other liturgical resources from NRCAT:

http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid...

Banners and bumper stickers

If you have an RHR-NA "Stop Torture" banner, please display it during the month of June! You can also order a banner from us if you have not previously.

NRCAT has designed a new banner for 2009 that says "End Torture Forever. Investigate. Legislate." They are available in a 2x6 format. There are also anti-torture bumper stickers. We hope you will distribute these to your congregation. Both the banner and the bumper sticker can be ordered from:

http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=330#bb

Complete resources from NRCAT can be found at: http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=298&Itemi...