23 June 2005

Congress cracks down on torture

It's about time!

Even as the Bush administration continues to deny any allegations of prisoner abuse, Congress has just banned the government from using any money in a newly passed State Department and Defense Department spending bills to render detainees to a country where they will likely be tortured or to subject any person in U.S. custody to torture. This is a good start.

In addition, this week Congressman Waxman (CA), together with Congresswoman Pelosi (CA), Congresswoman Harman (CA), and Congressman Skelton (MO), introduced a bill to establish an independent commission to investigate detainee abuse.

[Read more from Amnesty International.]

So, while the Bushies might think that Amnesty's concerns are absurd, it's nice to see that there are some responsible people in our government who insist on transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

Hopefully it's not too little too late.

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