END
TORTURE ONCE AND FOR ALL
Endorse the Call for a
Commission of Inquiry:
The
United States must never again engage in
torture.
Torture is immoral, illegal and counterproductive. It causes profound
and lasting harm, especially to its victims but also to its
perpetrators. It contradicts our nation’s deepest values and
corrupts the moral fabric of our society.
We call for an impartial, nonpartisan, and independent Commission of
Inquiry. Its purpose should be to gather all the facts and make
recommendations. It should ascertain the extent to which our
interrogation practices have constituted torture and "cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment". Understanding the causes, nature and scope of
U.S.-sponsored torture is essential for preventing it in the future and
eliminating it from our system without loopholes. U.S. law will
determine the extent of any criminal culpability.
As people of faith, we know that brokenness can be healed –
both
in individual lives and in the life of the nation. All religions
believe that redemption is possible. Learning the truth can set us on a
path toward national healing and renewal.
The United States must never again allow itself to be driven by
blinding fears and bitter resentments in responding to national
tragedy. The use of torture only serves to undermine our security in a
dangerous world.
Nothing less than the soul of our nation is at stake in confronting
U.S.-sponsored torture and completely renouncing its use. Let the U.S.
reaffirm its values by establishing a Commission of Inquiry.
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