The week before last, the Justice Department released four secret
memos written by the Office of Legal Counsel under the Bush
administration.  The memos authorized and documented waterboarding,
in addition to other illegal "enhanced interrogation techniques."
Among other things, they revealed that individuals suspected of
terrorism were waterboarded as many as 183 times in a single month.
Watch LinkTV's new video explaining the severity of torture committed
under the Bush Administration: http://www.linktv.org/accountability

The Department of Justice has withdrawn the memos and says they no
longer represent its legal views, but President Obama initially
indicated that government officials responsible for torture would
not face prosecution.  The New York Times reported that the Obama
administration also opposes the establishment of an independent
commission, or even an inquiry into torture policies.  Last week,
Attorney General Eric Holder reiterated that the Justice Department
would not prosecute those who participated in torture if they acted
in "good faith," while telling the press that the Obama administration
would "follow the evidence wherever it takes us."

These halting steps toward accountability fall far short of restoring
the Rule of Law to the United States.  Government officials who
authorized torture may have violated several constitutional provisions
in the Bill of Rights, including the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth
Amendments; U.S. statutes such as the War Crimes Act and Uniform
Code of Military Justice; and international treaties including the
Geneva Conventions and the Convention Against Torture.

If government officials were personally involved in authorizing
such grave violations , they must face appropriate consequences.
The Obama administration wants to look forward instead of focusing
on the past. But to move forward, we must first look back, investigate
human rights violations, and ensure justice to restore America's
credibility at home and abroad.  No one is above the law.

Based on the available evidence, Attorney General Holder should now
appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate who authorized and
carried out the U.S. government's torture policies. If evidence
emerges confirming criminal wrongdoing, the individuals responsible
for it must face prosecution.

Contact AG Holder today and demand that he appoint an independent
prosecutor to investigate-and if evidence warrants, prosecute-war
crimes and constitutional violations committed by U.S. government
officials responsible for torture.

Call the Office of the Attorney General at (202) 353-1555 and email
the Justice Department using the link below.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/498/t/3535/p/dia/action/public/?...

________________________________________

What else can you do?

? Write a letter to the editor or opinion-editorial for your local
paper endorsing the appointment of an independent prosecutor.

? Meet locally with your members of Congress during their next
recess, May 25-29.

? Ask the editorial board of your local paper to write an editorial
supporting a torture inquiry by an independent prosecutor.

Use our talking points
(http://bordc.org/resources/talkingpoints-torture.php) to help you!
If you pursue any of these initiatives, please email i...@bordc.org
to let us know.

________________________________________

Bill of Rights Defense Committee Address: 8 Bridge Street, Suite
A, Northampton, MA 01060 Web: http://www.bordc.org Email: i...@bordc.org
Telephone: 413-582-0110 Fax: 413-582-0116
________________________________________

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