Torture is a Moral Issue Sign the Statement of Conscience
U.S. Policy & Torture Abroad

ADVOCATING FOR U.S. POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT HELP END TORTURE BY OTHER GOVERNMENTS

Torture is widely practiced by governments across the globe despite prohibitions found in international and national laws. The United States government can use its resources to encourage other countries to reject the use of torture.

In 2010 NRCAT will work to:  

1. Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) to ensure U.S. involvement in efforts to end torture worldwide. Work on OPCAT is also a task of NRCAT’s effort to end torture in U.S. prisons.
Background Information:

2. Seek the creation of a “Torture Watch List,” either through the Department of State or through legislation, and use it to encourage the U.S. Government to take additional action to end torture in those countries.
The list will be drawn from information provided in the annual State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and other sources. NRCAT will urge the Administration to use diplomatic means to prevent torture by the countries on the list.

3. Pass legislation that provides incentives to foreign governments that are making significant efforts to end torture in their countries.

  • Add provisions to the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act that offer positive incentives, including assistance for initiatives by foreign governments to end torture.
  • Monitor the implementation of the Leahy Law barring military aid to governments that systematically torture.

On December 10, 2009, the Board of Directors of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture voted to continue its efforts to end U.S.-sponsored torture forever and to expand into two new areas of work: ending torture in U.S. prisons and advocating for U.S. policies and practices that help end torture by other governments.

Learn more about the need for advocating for U.S. policies and practices that help end torture by other governments (PDF)