We have a chance to Stop Torture Now!
Tell Your Senator to Support Section 327 of H.R. 2082

Late last year, the House of Representatives passed an important anti-torture provision that would require the CIA and other intelligence agencies to abide by the guidelines in the Army Field Manual while conducting interrogations.  The Army Field Manual prohibits waterboarding and other such “harsh” interrogation techniques.  This anti-torture provision is Section 327 of H.R. 2082 (the Intelligence Authorization bill).

The Senate is likely to vote on H.R. 2082 in February.  Unfortunately, however, some Senators have threatened to obstruct the passage of this important anti-torture legislation through the use of a procedural objection to Section 327 (the anti-torture section).  Defeating this procedural maneuver will require 60 votes, so every vote is key.

Please ask your Senator to be a leader in the fight against torture by voting against any attempts to remove Section 327 from the Intelligence Authorization bill.

Here are a number of steps you can take to help stop torture:

1.)  Call your Senators.  Tell them that you support applying the Army Field Manual standard to the CIA.  Specifically ask them to vote against any attempt to remove Section 327 from the Intelligence Authorization bill.  You can reach your Senators by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking to speak with your Senators.

2.)  Email your Senators.  A form email is provided at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2162/t/3805/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=21961.
Please feel free to modify this email - personalized emails receive the most attention.

3.)  Inform your local faith community about this issue.  You can download a NRCAT bulletin insert about Section 327 at http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=99.

4.)  Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about this issue.  NRCAT has prepared a sample letter which you can find at http://www.nrcat.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=155&Itemid=99.  Please personalize your letter and make it specific to your community.

Thank you for all that you do to end torture.  Every action you take helps bring our country back into line with its most basic moral principles.