Tag: torture

Courts Overrule Govt in Abuse and Detention Cases

As the debate heats up over what to do about recent disclosures of widespread abuse of war-on-terror prisoners, the “third branch” of the U.S. government — the judiciary — continues to assert its independence from the other two branches — the executive and the legislative. In one recent decision, a federal court has refused the … Continue reading “Courts Overrule Govt in Abuse and Detention Cases”

Lawyers’ Group Targets Torture Memo Author

Lawyers who reject President Barack Obama’s decision not to seek prosecution of officials who may have participated in the torture of terror-suspect prisoners are seeking justice through another avenue: Sanctions against government lawyers who created the "enhanced interrogation" policies of former President George W. Bush. Their first target is former Defense Department General Counsel William … Continue reading “Lawyers’ Group Targets Torture Memo Author”

Struggle Brews Over ‘Torture Memos’ Immunity

The Justice Department Thursday released four secret memos used by the George W. Bush administration to justify torture. The memos, produced by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), provided the legal framework for the CIA’s use of waterboarding and other illegal interrogation methods that violate domestic and international law. The disclosures were made … Continue reading “Struggle Brews Over ‘Torture Memos’ Immunity”

Abu Ghraib Victims Can Sue Interrogators

In a ruling that could have widespread implications for government contractors overseas, a federal court has concluded that four former Abu Ghraib detainees, who were tortured and later released without charge, can sue the U.S. military contractor who was involved in conducting prisoner interrogations for the Pentagon in Iraq. U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, … Continue reading “Abu Ghraib Victims Can Sue Interrogators”