Recently, the U.S. House and Senate rejected the use of torture by passing the Intelligence Authorization Bill (HR 2082). The bill includes an important provision limiting interrogators to the techniques permitted by the U.S. Army Field Manual. This would prevent the CIA and other U.S. agents from using waterboarding, sexual humiliation, dogs and other techniques that amount to torture. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed this bill, adding one more mark on his administration’s deplorable human rights record in the war on terror. Anything less than denouncing torture and cruel treatment is surrendering American values.

The world needs to know that this veto does not represent my views on torture. Americans must send a clear, resounding message to this president and the next – do not torture in our name.

Sincerely,

Meghann TooheySDSU Amnesty International