June 2024 Archives

C/o Witness Against Torture:

As if written for this day, an article in Al Jazeera reminds us that torture like that in Guantanamo not only haunts the lives of its survivors, but happens over and over, in places like Israel. "Lawyers and activists say the Israeli treatment of Palestinian prisoners bears all the hallmarks of 'US-style' abuse and torture."

As we decry all torture everywhere, we continue to let Guantanamo survivors know they are not forgotten. This is the final, final June campaign pitch (really!) from Guantanamo Survivors Fund. Deep, deep gratitude to those of you who have donated. If you haven't donated yet, now is a good time! Click this link to donate online or write a check to Guantanamo Survivors Fund -- and then tell your friends.

Photo c/o Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/horrific-testimonies-israeli-army-tortures-palestinians-gaza-physically-and-psychologically-enar

John Yoo, the former Bush administration lawyer (who himself escaped prosecution for his role in constructing legal justifications to torture detainees), has an essay in National Review arguing for revenge prosecutions, proffers political columnist Jonathan Chait.

"Do unto others as they have done unto you," urged the shameless Berkeley Law professor, misappropriating the 'Do unto others as you would have done to you,' maxim. "In order to prevent the case against Trump from assuming a permanent place in the American political system," said Yoo, "Republicans will have to bring charges against Democratic officers, even presidents."

The civil trial of Al Shimari v CACI is the only one by survivors of Abu Ghraib against a military contractor that has reached trial, wrote Center for Victims of Torture observer Yumna Rizvi.

"The trial marks a significant moment in the legal battle for justice and redress for Abu Ghraib and, more broadly, the US torture programme. It represents a culmination of relentless efforts by the victims themselves, human rights advocates and legal experts to shed light on the dark underbelly of the US 'war on terror.'" 

Outside the US Supreme Court February 9, 2005. Photo by Larry Downing

In National Review magazine, John Yoo, the legal architect of the George W. Bush administration's torture program, urged Republicans to retaliate against Democratic elected officials. "In order to prevent the case against Trump from assuming a permanent place in the American political system, Republicans will have to bring charges against Democratic officers, even presidents," Yoo, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, wrote.

Photo by Paola Chapdelaine for The New York Times