The President on counterterrorism policy, after 100 days in office: No more torture, or loopholes galore? Important symbolic steps, or stalling tactics? Heading in the right direction, or Barack “Dubya” Obama?
Pundits are coming at President Obama from all sides, but after 100 days in office, what’s really going on?
Well, one important way to judge is on the basis of international human rights law–including the U.N. Convention Against Torture–and on that standard it’s clear: President Obama has a lot more to do. Scratch that. President Obama has a lot more he is legally obligated to do.
Read all about it in Amnesty International’s new report, “Mixed Messages: Counter Terror and Human Rights–President Obama’s First 100 Days.” OK, it’s a long report so here’s the take away, President Obama needs to:
- Charge Guantanamo detainees and give them fair trials in US federal courts, or release them;
- Respect the rights of detainees at other US facilities, like Bagram in Afghanistan;
- Ensure that the US will never again resort to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment–as defined by international law;
- Ensure accountability for torture and other human rights violations through: an independent commission of inquiry; prosecutions where warranted; and redress and remedy for victims.
Our message isn’t mixed: President Obama must respect and protect human rights. It’s up to us to make sure it happens.