National Religious Campaign Against Torture
For Immediate Release - January 18, 2009
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST TORTURE OPPOSES ANY CLASSIFIED ANNEX ON PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER ENDING TORTURE
Contact: Steve Fox, Fenton Communications, 202-822-5200 or
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Rev. Richard Killmer, NRCAT, at 202-547-1920 (cell 207-450-7242) or
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Statement from National Religious Campaign Against Torture President, Linda Gustitus
An Associated Press story on January 16 reported that President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to issue an Executive Order ending torture upon taking office. This is an act our organization has been working on for several years. We believe it is the single most important act he can do to tell the nation and the world that the United States has changed -- that it has returned to its moral principles.
We are disturbed, however, that the AP story suggests the possibility that there would be a classified annex to such an Executive Order that would permit certain, nonpublic interrogation techniques by the CIA. We believe this would undo all of the good that an Executive Order on this issue is intended to achieve. In order to recommit to our country's value that each person has inherent worth and dignity, the Executive Order banning torture must be issued without exceptions, without any secret options. It must be government-wide, unequivocal and not subject to interpretation. Anything less would defeat its purpose and cause grave concern throughout the world.
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture urges the President-elect to reject the addition of any classified annex.
For more information about the campaign
Click "Countdown to End Torture" at www.tortureisamoralissue.org
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The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a growing membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Since its formation in January 2006, more than 240 religious groups have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Roman Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations.
