National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)

To the supporters of the School of the Americas Watch

Dear Friends,

Many of you know about the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) and its work. We are a coalition of more than 240 religious organizations organized in January 2006 and committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture. You can learn more at www.tortureisamoralissue.org.

We are writing to ask your help in convincing the President to issue an executive order in 2009 prohibiting torture.

NRCAT, in alliance with Evangelicals for Human Rights and the Center for Victims of Torture, has launched an effort (called the Campaign to Ban Torture) that calls upon the President to issue an executive order banning torture. It is based on six core principles embodied in the Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive Order on Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty which you will find at the bottom of this page.

This effort to call upon the President to issue an executive order banning torture is much more likely to be successful if thousands of people of faith and others join together to endorse the Declaration of Principles. It is also very important that religious institutions and organizations endorse as well. Go to the NRCAT web site (www.tortureisamoralissue.org) and click on “Do you support a Presidential Executive Order?” There you will be able to:
· Endorse this statement.
· Read and print the Declaration of Principles
· Print a petition version of the Declaration.
· Record that your religious organization has endorsed.
· Find several resources and suggestions for enhancing this effort.

Please consider these next steps:
· Ask the members of your congregation and other religious organizations with which you affiliate to endorse.
· Share the Declaration with your friends and ask them to urge members of their congregations to endorse.
· Suggest to the leaders of your congregation, the regional body of your denomination or faith group and your local interfaith or ecumenical body to endorse.

Prominent faith leaders from Catholic, Protestant, evangelical, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh communities, as well top officials from every Administration since the 1970’s have joined together to endorse the Declaration of Principles. You can go to the web site described above to view the list and to read a New York Times article about the Campaign.

The President has the power to play a significant role in ending U.S.-sponsored torture. Please endorse the Declaration of Principles, which is below our names, and call upon the President to issue an executive order banning torture.

On November 12th, delegations of religious leaders and people of faith will meet with Members of Congress in their district or state offices, asking them to endorse the Declaration of Principles for an Executive Order. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the direction of the new Administration and the new Congress. Please consider participating in a delegation in your state or congressional district.

As we are thankful that you have participated in the School of the Americas Watch, so we would grateful for your partnership in the work of NRCAT.

Sincerely,

Linda Gustitus, President, NRCAT
Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director, NRCAT


National Religious Campaign Against Torture
316 F St. NE, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20002
office 202-547-1920
fax 202-547-1921
www.tortureisamoralissue.org



Declaration of Principles for a Presidential Executive Order
On Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty

Though we come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life, we agree that the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against prisoners is immoral, unwise, and un-American.

In our effort to secure ourselves, we have resorted to tactics which do not work, which endanger US personnel abroad, which discourage political, military, and intelligence cooperation from our allies, and which ultimately do not enhance our security.

Our President must lead us by our core principles. We must be better than our enemies, and our treatment of prisoners captured in the battle against terrorism must reflect our character and values as Americans.

Therefore, we believe the President of the United States should issue an Executive Order that provides as follows:

The “Golden Rule.” We will not authorize or use any methods of interrogation that we would not find acceptable if used against Americans, be they civilians or soldiers.

One national standard. We will have one national standard for all US personnel and agencies for the interrogation and treatment of prisoners. Currently, the best expression of that standard is the US Army Field Manual, which will be used until any other interrogation technique has been approved based on the Golden Rule principle.

The rule of law. We will acknowledge all prisoners to our courts or the International Red Cross. We will in no circumstance hold persons in secret prisons or engage in disappearances. In all cases, prisoners will have the opportunity to prove their innocence in ways that fully conform to American principles of fairness.

Duty to protect. We acknowledge our historical commitment to end the use of torture and cruelty in the world. The US will not transfer any person to countries that use torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Checks and balances. Congress and the courts play an invaluable role in protecting the values and institutions of our nation and must have and will have access to the information they need to be fully informed about our detention and interrogation policies.

Clarity and accountability. All US personnel—whether soldiers or intelligence staff—deserve the certainty that they are implementing policy that complies fully with the law. Henceforth all US officials who authorize, implement, or fail in their duty to prevent the use of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners will be held accountable, regardless of rank or position.


This initiative is coordinated by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture,
Evangelicals for Human Rights, and the Center for Victims of Torture.