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CONTACT: Human Rights First |
Group Calls For Completion of Investigation Into Interrogation Videotape Destruction
"The abuse and torture of prisoners in U.S. custody was a disgraceful chapter in this country's history," said Human Rights First's Dixon Osburn. "Only by revealing all of the facts surrounding these episodes can we move beyond them and take the steps necessary to ensure that this history does not repeat itself."
E-mail messages produced yesterday in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the American Civil Liberties Union reveal that then-CIA Director Porter Goss agreed with the decision to the destroy the tapes after it was made. Jose Rodriguez, Jr., head of the directorate of operations of the CIA from 2004 to 2007, authorized the tapes' destruction.
In January 2008, then-Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney John Durham to investigate the destruction of the tapes. Attorney General Eric Holder in August 2009 expanded the investigation to include an inquiry into the actions of CIA interrogators and contractors involved in abusive interrogations.
"These latest documents suggest that senior CIA officials were responsible both for making the decision to destroy the tapes and afterwards, for covering it up," said Osburn. "While we applaud the administration for continuing to investigate this matter and expanding the investigation's scope, we urge the Attorney General to invest all of the resources necessary to bring the investigation to a conclusion and to hold any culpable individuals accountable."

2 Comments so far
Show AllThe foxes that built the new American hen house of unconstitutional horror are hiding under the robes of our chicken shit Supreme court of legal buffoons.
The Supreme court of this land have allowed warrant less surveillance with immunity to exist by supporting the executive branches Vail of classified state secrecy.
In other words , you are not allowed to know who is being spied on , so you can not prove that abuse is taking place, and sue for redress of grievances.
The corner stone of our constitution which protects Americans from a runaway government takeover by corporate military industrial complex fascists, and protects the constitution itself , has been removed.
Our Supreme court and legislative branch stood by and relinquished their 2/3 powers to and executive that is controlled by the perpetual fascist power of the war machine.
72 fusion centers and one million spys strong to date.And growing in this jobless economy.
All too familiar ring that Sounds like the Stazi in Germany, during their depression in 1933.
If you dont know what a fusion center is , you better find out quick.Google it.
We have one branch of power now, not three.
Corporate Military industrial complex control billions in security contracts for war and intrusive surveillance which they use to shut down opposition.They have huge systems in place and can monitor 10000 phones calls a minute in large cities. Thats just phone calls, do you have any idea how large these corporations computer networks have become for gathering data and spying on Americans.
Its a huge business, billions in contracts. If they had to have warrants , they would go out of business tomorrow.
And thats exactly what needs to happen, to save our Democracy and our country from a fascist take over, if its not to late.
They have all the money and power to protect their new business, control America from the top down.
The Supreme court has a duty to protect the constitution, restore the 4 th amendment, shut down the money machine which supports warrant less surveillance, and make law enforcement agencies accountable for abuse.
Abolish fusion centers, which are illegal under
"Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 "
SEC. 15. From and after the passage of this act it shall not be lawful to employ any part of the Army of the United States, as a posse comitatus, or otherwise, for the purpose of executing the laws, except in such cases and under such circumstances as such employment of said force may be expressly authorized by the Constitution or by act of Congress; and no money appropriated by this act shall be used to pay any of the expenses incurred in the employment of any troops in violation of this section And any person willfully violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding two years or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Other wise , all we have is a police state run by fascist corporations that will keep us in fear forever.
I dare the Supreme court to take back its one third powers of checks and balances.
Until that happens, dont expect the CIA or law enforcement ,or our military which are now all working together illegally, to play nice, they dont have to , they are not afraid of our laws.
BornFreeMen
Warrant less surveillance victim of Fusion center Tampa Florida, community watch vigilantes and right wing Christian lunatics.
24-7 3 years and running, of pure torture.I dont care who these people are, to me, after three years of overt gang stalking surveillance, they are all punk ass bitch torture freaks.
What do you expect me to say, I am a torture victim.
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