MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD - WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Please write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining the Declaration of Principles and calling on members of your community to take action to end U.S.-sponsored torture.

Letters should be short and direct. If at all possible, they should refer to an article that was recently printed in your newspaper. You should check your newspaper's Web site or call or email the Editorial Department to find out the best way to submit your letter and any guidelines they might have for writing letters. Many newspapers may have word limits or deadlines for responding to articles. Do not submit your letter to more than one newspaper at a time.

A sample letter is provided below. Your personal edits to the sample will make it more relevant to your community and, therefore, your newspaper.
________________________________________________________________________

Dear Editor:

I have heard many troubling reports about the use of torture and cruelty by the U.S. government. Policies that permit torture do not reflect the values of the America I am proud to call home. Moreover, security experts and military leaders agree that the use of torture does not result in actionable intelligence. It is time for those of us who reject policies that degrade our values to make our voices heard.

The National Religious Campaign against Torture, Evangelicals for Human Rights and the Center for Victims of Torture have crafted a Declaration of Principles that calls for a Presidential Executive Order banning torture and cruelty. The Declaration offers a blueprint for executive action by delineating six core principles of humane treatment. These principles can serve as a basis for a new standard for U.S. interrogation policy that is both sensible and humane-a standard that allows us to effectively defend our homeland from terrorists while preserving America's values. With public support, the President can move towards restoring America's moral standing in the world.

Please visit www.campaigntobantorture.org and join the call to end to torture.