McCain-Graham-Durbin Amendment on U. S. Torture Policy Approved by U. S. Senate

MCCAIN-GRAHAM-DURBIN AMENDMENT ON U.S. TORTURE POLICY APROVED BY U.S. SENATE

Late last night, the U.S. Senate approved (90-9) a bipartisan amendment regarding the treatment of prisoners held in United States custody. The amendment offered by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and others, would affirm the United States' long-standing obligation not to engage in torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. It would also require that the treatment of detainees comply with the Army's Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation. The measure was offered as an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill.

"It is vitally important that Congress affirm our nation's very important, long-standing obligation not to engage in torture or other cruel treatment," said Durbin. "In an age of terrorism, we may be tempted by the notion that torture is justified. Our enemies certainly do not respect any rules in their relentless quest to kill Americans. But this nation's commitment to principle, even during difficult times, is what distinguishes us from the terrorists we fight. There are some lines that we will not cross. Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are inconsistent with the principles of liberty and the rule of law that underpin our democracy. To sacrifice this principle would grant the terrorists a valuable victory at our expense."

Twice in the past eighteen months, Durbin has authored similar amendments - both of which were unanimously approved by the Senate. In both cases, Durbin's legislative language was later removed from the bill at the insistence of the Bush administration.

"I sincerely hope that this time the administration will change their position, stop the political sleight of hand, and support this amendment," said Durbin. "This amendment would set clear rules for our troops, giving them direction on how to treat detainees in their custody. We owe this to our brave men and women in uniform, who risk their lives every single day in defense of our country."

The McCain-Graham-Durbin amendment is supported by a broad coalition of organizations and individuals, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, human rights groups, and former military officers, like retired Rear Admiral John Hutson who served as the Judge Advocate General, the top lawyer in the Navy, from 1997-2000. Other cosponsors of the amendment include Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Warner (R-VA), and Carl Levin (D-MI). The Defense Appropriations bill is expected to be approved by the Senate in the next few days and signed into law later this month by the President.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=247007&&