Freedom from Torture says U.S must publish intelligence report on torture by CIA now

Jean-Benoit Louveaux, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Freedom from Torture, said:

"The world has been waiting too long for the publication of the report on torture by the C.I.A. There can be no more excuses for delaying it any longer.

"Under the U.N. Convention Against Torture, to which the U.S. has been party for 20 years this October, water-boarding and other techniques acknowledged to have been used by the C.I.A., (such as sleep deprivation and use of stress positions), constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

"At Freedom from Torture we have seen all too clearly the effects of torture, including such methods, on over 1,000 torture survivors from around the world who we help every year through direct clinical support.

"The Convention is unequivocal that where there is evidence of torture it must be investigated and prosecuted promptly. Therefore the U.S. Government should ensure full publication of the report as soon as possible and ensure that where there is evidence of torture by U.S. security officials the perpetrators are held to account and prosecuted.

"While we welcome the fact that President Barack Obama has acknowledged on behalf of the U.S. that U.S. security officials tortured suspects, this acknowledgment was long overdue given the U.S's obligations under UNCAT. We are extremely concerned that other remarks by the President – specifically that Americans should not be too "sanctimonious in retrospect" – could imply that there will be no prosecutions against those who have perpetrated torture.

"The President has also said methods were used because U.S. security officials were under pressure at the time to prevent a further terrorist attack. However the U.N. Convention Against Torture provides no such defence against torture. Article 2 of the convention prohibits torture absolutely. Additionally the Convention makes clear that where torture has taken place the victims should be compensated.

"At a time when torture and other human rights violations are occurring throughout the world the role of the United States as a member of the international community in holding the perpetrators of these violations to account is never more needed. However in order for the United States to play this role, it must restore its own credibility first by ensuring that torturers in its jurisdiction are brought to justice and that the victims are given redress."