Contact: Rev. Richard Killmer, 202-547-1920 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

May 2, 2008

(Washington)  The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT), a campaign of over 175 religious organizations working together to abolish U.S.-sponsored torture, thanks the members of the Senate Intelligence Committee for including two important anti-torture provisions in the Committee's version of the Fiscal Year 2009 Intelligence Authorization bill.  Last year's Intelligence Authorization bill, which was vetoed by the President, contained a provision that would have required the CIA to abide by the restrictions in the Army Field Manual while conducting interrogations.  The 2009 bill contains both that provision and another provision that would require the CIA to inform the International Committee of the Red Cross about all detainees and allow the Red Cross access to them.

"By including these anti-torture provisions in the Authorization bill, the members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have again demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law and to American values," said Linda Gustitus, the President of NRCAT.  "Now," Gustitus continued "the rest of Congress and the Administration have the opportunity to act in accord with our shared morality and with international law by passing and signing this bill into law.  In doing so, we can shut down secret prisons and help end U.S.-sponsored torture."