Religious groups, retired general back anti-torture amendment

Published: 2005-12-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Policies that are unclear about the torture of prisoners damage U.S. international interests and credibility and are an offense against human rights, said panelists who included a retired Army general, a former adviser to the departments of State and Defense and representatives of Jewish and Catholic organizations. As the House prepared to take up an amendment to the Defense Department appropriations bill banning "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" of prisoners and spelling out what that means, supporters of the McCain amendment on torture and abuse rallied backers from diverse backgrounds. Steve Colecchi, director of the Office of International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the bishops support the amendment because the church teaches respect for fundamental human rights and dignity. "The many reports of prisoner abuse by members of the U.S. armed forces tarnish the reputation of our country," Colecchi said at a Dec. 7 media briefing sponsored by Human Rights First. But, he said, they also "make it less likely that other countries and people will collaborate with us in the struggle against terrorism, and they compromise the moral standing of our nation as we seek to win the hearts and minds of others."

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