ENDING TORTURE: OUR NATION'S UNFINISHED BUSINESS

June 26th is United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Several years ago, religious and human rights organizations in the United States declared the month of June to be Torture Awareness Month as a way to provide greater visibility to this issue and provide an opportunity for coordinated actions across the country.

Tell us about your plans!

This June, NRCAT encourages congregations and people of faith to focus on two primary efforts:

• Passing federal legislation granting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to all detainees in U.S. custody.
• Securing a comprehensive investigation, a Commission of Inquiry, into the use of torture by the United States since September 11, 2001 - learning from the past is the best way to build a torture-free future.

Under the theme "Ending Torture: Our Nation's Unfinished Business" we seek to codify in law one of the key elements of President Obama’s January 2009 Executive Order – ICRC access to detainees – and we continue our call for a nonpartisan Commission of Inquiry to be appointed by the President and/or the Congress. NRCAT has also called upon the Attorney General to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate the use of torture.

Congregations and religious organizations can participate in these critical efforts through a postcard campaign, educational events, and a variety of other activities.

Go to our Events Listing: Events across the country co-sponsored by NRCAT.

ACTIVITIES for CONGREGATIONS

NRCAT encourages congregations and local interfaith groups to focus on two primary activities. Get more details and download resources. 

1. Have a table at each worship service in June:

• Ask people to complete postcards (or letters) calling for legislation that will assure that the International Committee of the Red Cross has access to all detainees held by the U.S. The post cards can be taken to the local offices of Members of Congress on Monday, June 28, or mailed to their offices in Washington, DC.
• Ask people to sign a petition asking for a Commission of Inquiry.
  

2. Hold an Educational Event, which could be one of the following:

• Show the 20-minute video "Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever".
• Organize a one-hour discussion, using a guide with background text and sample questions focused on why ending torture is our nation's unfinished business.
• In several cities in June, NRCAT will co-sponsor a panel discussion on the need for a Commission of Inquiry, featuring a religious leader, an attorney, a medical professional, a former interrogator or another expert.

Learn more details about these and other activities, including background resources available from NRCAT.