“Senate reports on torture. . . then and now” @ BORDC

Posted on July 18, 2012

July 18, 2012: “‘The CIA torture program was far more systematic and widespread than previously thought.’ This statement, from U.S. Senator Dianne Fienstein (D-CA), illustrates how the Senate’s discussion of torture has evolved over the past few years. When the first Congressional report on U.S. torture practices was release in 2009 it only included an analysis of interrogations carried out by the military. Now, however, the Senate Select Intelligence Committee (SSIC) has dug deeper into the issue, reviewing millions of pages of documents and examining practices of the CIA as well as the military. Although such thoroughness is an improvement on previous Congressional management of torture accusations, it still falls short in several key areas.

The report published by SSIC in 2009 was made available to the public by the end of the year; the 2011 report has yet to achieve the same standard. Although key elements of the report have been revealed, the document is its entirety has yet to be released publically. Grassroots organizations, including BORDC, havespoken out against such Senatorial secrecy, asking for the report’s release. Whether or not their demands will be heard remains to be seen, but, if history is any indication, their calls for action will eventually be heard……………………”

Read more at BORDC.

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