For immediate release – June 11, 2009
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST TORTURE
Prominent Religious Leaders Urge President Obama to Create a “Commission of Inquiry” on U.S.-Sponsored Torture
Declaring “only the truth can set us free,”
religious leaders convey the moral necessity of a Commission
Contact: Rev. Richard Killmer, NRCAT, 202-547-1920 or
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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, eight heads of faith groups and other religious institutions joined other prominent clergy in standing with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) and hundreds of individuals of faith at a public witness in front of the White House (in Lafayette Square), issuing a strong plea to President Obama to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate U.S.-sponsored torture that occurred post-9/11. Following the public witness, a delegation of 33 religious leaders met with senior Obama administration officials in the Old Executive Office Building. (A separate statement about this meeting will be released later this afternoon.) At this meeting, the leaders delivered a letter to President Obama, the text of which is at the bottom of this email, signed by 51 religious leaders.
“This is an extremely important day of action for the religious community,” said Rev. Richard Killmer, executive director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. “This diverse group of religious leaders from around the country has assembled to Washington to underscore their collective commitment to seeing this nation address its past involvement with torture. As details about our nation’s involvement in torture continue to drip out slowly, we believe the need for an independent, non-partisan commission to investigate all relevant fact is more important than ever. We hope that President Obama will agree.”
Prior to the public witness, the eight senior religious leaders held a press conference at the National Press Club at which they discuss the need for a Commission. The following statements are from the participants:
Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary National Council of Churches
“Speaking on behalf of its 35 member communions, a National Council of Churches resolution declares that torture, regardless of circumstance, humiliates and debases torturer and tortured alike.”
“Torture turns its face against the biblical truth that all humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 27).”
“Torture denies the preciousness of human life and the dignity of every human being by reducing its victims to the status of despised objects, no matter how noble the cause for which it is employed. And it is by no means clear that torture is a more effective means of gathering intelligence than humane approaches.”
Rev. William Sinkford, President Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
“The inherent worth and dignity of every person is a bedrock principle of Unitarian Universalism. “We are called to protect the basic human rights of all people, even the most marginalized and despised. By advocating for a commission of inquiry, we affirm our own humanity and take a critical step towards ending U.S.-sponsored torture.”
Marie Dennis, Co-President Pax-Christi International
“Pax Christi, as a global Catholic movement for peace, has seen in too many countries the devastating, long-lasting consequences of torture. We believe that a thorough investigation into U.S. sponsored torture since Sept 11, 2001 is essential, and, if warranted by the evidence gathered, prosecution of those responsible as well. The inherent dignity of every human life and the importance of the rule of law to this and future generations ground this belief.”
Rev. Dr. John Thomas, General Minister and President United Church of Christ
“During my travels to partner churches around the world in recent years, particularly in countries that have endured repressive regimes, I have consistently been challenged about what I am doing to end my own country’s participation in and condoning of torture. As a leader of a church that takes seriously the concerns of its global partners, I cannot ignore this anguished plea. As a U.S. citizen and as a member of the global Christian family, my responsibility is clear: Torture must never again be practiced, condoned, or excused in my name.”
Rabbi Steve Gutow, President Jewish Council for Public Affairs
“Jewish tradition seems clear. The rabbis, whose notions of humanity and its dignity reflect the Jewish views of how we must treat each other in the world, state time and again that each human and his or her life is sacred. The idea of using torture to gain an advantage over another seems far from their world view. The Mishna, an early rabbinic law code, states: “Thus, the human was created only as one individual, to teach us that anyone who destroys one soul is considered as if that person had destroyed the entire world.” The Talmudic sage Ben Azzai said in response to the degradation of a human being, “Know who you are demeaning; god made ‘human beings’ in god’s own image.” One should not torture someone created in the image of his or her god.”
Archbishop Michael Seneco, Presiding Bishop North American Old Catholic Church
"American Old Catholics embrace a deep belief in the dignity of the human person as an inviolable gift from the Creator… As such, we believe that President Obama ought to create a Commission of inquiry so that through examination, and deliberation, laws and procedures can be developed to protect the rights and liberties of all humans… To engage in anything less than a full assessment of the issue of torture only demonstrates to the world that we are afraid of our own weaknesses."
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Armenian Church in America
“My Church believes that torture is not ethical, it is not Christian and it is not a part of our American moral fiber. United States has always represented an important beacon of freedom and justice in the world and must behave as an example for all people living on our planet. The United States of America can not preach to other nations to end violence without condemning torture within our own borders. We must be firm and consistent in our moral convictions and we must strive always to be an example of righteousness and decency, both at home and in the world.”
Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President Islamic Society of North America
“Muslim Americans, in the spirit of the Qur’anic injunction to “exhort one another to truth and constancy,” believe that we must join together to confront the pain that was inflicted in the name of our country’s security. Only by knowing the truth will the American people have the opportunity to develop a strong conviction that torture must never be justified. By honestly confronting our transgressions, we demonstrate the sincerity of our regret and our recommitment to the rule of law and the dignity of humanity.”
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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 250 religious groups have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Roman Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations.
The following is the text of the letter referenced above and directed to President Obama, calling for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate U.S.-sponsored torture:
Dear Mr. President:
As senior religious leaders in the United States, we write to give voice to the compelling need for a comprehensive investigation into U.S.-sponsored torture since 9/11. We believe the most credible way to conduct such an investigation is by establishing an independent, non-partisan Commission of Inquiry. Such a Commission is necessary to: (1) uncover the whole truth about U.S. torture policies and practices; (2) mobilize a national consensus, and (3) build support for the requisite safeguards to ensure that U.S.-sponsored torture never happens again.
We know that you share with us the understanding that torture is wrong – without exception, that it is illegal and immoral. You have stated this unequivocally. You matched your words with action on the second full day of your Administration when you signed the executive order banning torture. With that order, you signaled to our nation, as well as to the world, your determination to return the United States to the rule of law and to begin the process of restoring our nation’s moral stature in the global community. We are profoundly grateful for your swift and decisive action in signing this executive order.
But an executive order is not enough. It can be superseded by laws, and, as we've seen, even laws are in jeopardy of being superseded by national emergencies. Our nation can guarantee the abolition of torture only if and when we put in place safeguards to prevent once and for all the future twisting and abrogation of the existing laws that prohibit torture.
You have publicly announced your opposition to a Commission of Inquiry, stating that our existing institutions are adequate for investigating what went wrong. You have expressed your desire to look forward, not backward. We agree we must look forward -- forward to a future where torture will never happen again. But we believe that the only avenue to, and guarantee of, such a future is a Commission of Inquiry. An investigation of U.S.-sponsored torture will only be credible and thorough if conducted by a Commission comprised of citizens who are well-respected, non-partisan, and independent-minded.
The reality is that our nation is now shackled to a shameful history of torture. As people of faith we know that only the truth can set us free. We must therefore, as a nation, be mature and honest enough to examine fully and disclose completely the wrongdoing that has been committed. The transparency and openness of a Commission of Inquiry will help to hold us all accountable for the policies and acts of torture carried out in our name. Accountability is essential in a nation of laws.
Recent polls show that many people of faith have been persuaded that the use of torture can be justified in some situations. These findings weigh heavily on us, as religious leaders. We have more work to do to educate our people. We accept our responsibility to bear bold and compelling witness to the sanctity of the divine image in all people and to the fact that torture in every instance defiles and desecrates this divine image. We commit ourselves anew to greater faithfulness in preaching to and teaching our members.
We beseech you, in furtherance of your responsibility to restore, protect, and preserve the sanctity and rule of law in this nation, to commit yourself to the creation of a Commission of Inquiry that will uncover the truth, identify and establish legal safeguards, and guarantee for our children and grand-children a future in this country free of torture, without exceptions.
We pray for you “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of God” (Isaiah 11:2). And we look to you to lead our nation back to the path of truth and justice.
[A Word document version of the letter with all signatories included is available upon request. Please just reply to this email.]
