ACLU Responds to CIA’s Destruction of Harsh Interrogation Tapes

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/1206-11.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 6, 2007
6:46 PM

CONTACT: ACLU
James Freedland, [phone] or 549-2666; [email protected]

ACLU Responds to CIA’s Destruction of Harsh Interrogation Tapes


NEW YORK - December 6 - The New York Times reported today that in 2005, the CIA destroyed at least two videotapes showing its operatives subjecting terror suspects to harsh interrogation practices in 2002. Officials said the CIA destroyed these tapes to protect agency operatives from legal consequences. The destruction of these tapes appears to be part of an extensive, long-term pattern of misusing executive authority to insulate individuals from criminal prosecution for torture and abuse, the American Civil Liberties Union said.

The ACLU is in the midst of a legal challenge calling for the release of three documents issued by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) that are believed to have authorized the CIA to use extremely harsh interrogation methods. The memos, which were written in May of 2005, were not included in the government's response to the ACLU's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for all documents pertaining to the treatment and interrogation of detainees in U.S. custody. The government also withheld the documents from key senators during a congressional inquiry.

The following can be attributed to Jameel Jaffer, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Security Project:
"The destruction of these tapes suggests an utter disregard for the rule of law. It was plainly a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence that could have been used to hold CIA agents accountable for the torture of prisoners. Both Congress and the courts have repeatedly demanded that this evidence be turned over, but apparently the CIA believes that its agents are above the law."

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[wtmusic]

1. Are those the tapes that Seymour Hersch alleged

showed a boy being sodomized in front of his mother? :shrug:

[babylonsister]

2. I don't know what is on the tapes, only that it's horrific. Your

scenario would apply. :-( Didn't that sodomizing go on during Abu Ghraib?

[wtmusic]

5. Yes, it was one of the so-called "Darby" tapes

turned over by the AG whistleblower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Darby

[Prefer]

3. Why aren't the called "Torture Tapes"?

isn't that what they were?

[babylonsister]

4. I think 'interrogation' tapes is all-encompassing. And welcome to DU! nt

[Solly Mack]

6. K&R

[Toots]

7. "but apparently the CIA believes that its agents are above the law."

Whatever could give them that impression? :shrug: Just because Bush* and his entire Cabal say they possess a Privilege that means they don't need to answer to the American People(Congress) for anything

[EVDebs]

8. And the CIA is moving its illegal domestic spying operation to Denver

...just in time for fun'n games at the Democratic national convention. Let the infiltration/psyops/lunacy BEGIN !

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/05/AR2005050501860.html

A small contingent of idiots, Gen Hayden will personally select these incometents, will accompany the GOP's conventioneers. Watch the shriner's small car contingent closely.

CSNY's Chicago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEFsBF1X1ow

Nothing's changed. "We can change the world" (?) Lucky no one gave the 'fix bayonets' order that day

CSNY's Ohio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVi-DXOfnAM&feature=related

[KaryninMiami]

9. Time to renew my ACLU membership-- an excellent reminder.

This is why this is such and important orginization and this is why so many on the Red team cannot stand (and are terrified of) the ACLU. Please remember this and support their efforts.

[Supersedeas]

10. will Mukasey cover for these criminals -- or will he be an AG???

[bonito]

11. K&R

[L. Coyote]

12. "The government also withheld the documents from key senators during a congressional inquiry."

What "the government" is that? Who is he/she, this "the government" thing?

I take exception. The "Executive" withheld the documents from key senators during a congressional inquiry, not "the government"!