Demand Answers about U.S. Torture Policy

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee can take an important step toward shining a light on the authorization of torture and abuse when they question Attorney General Michael Mukasey tomorrow.

When Mukasey last testified, he refused to state whether waterboarding was illegal. Since then, much has come to light about the Bush Administration's interrogation policies.

Tell the committee to seize this important opportunity to ask the tough questions!

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

Tomorrow, you have the opportunity to question Attorney General Michael Mukasey about his views on the Bush Administration's authorization of torture and abuse.

I urge you to take this chance to bring to light information about the administration?s current interrogation policies. The misguided policy choices of the past have undermined American leadership and jeopardized our national security.  In particular, Mr. Mukasey should answer the following questions:

Destruction of the CIA tapes: The Attorney General initiated a criminal investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes. These tapes reportedly showed U.S. interrogators involved in torture and other cruel treatment including waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and exposure to extreme cold.

* What is the status of this criminal investigation?

* Will the Attorney General pledge to make the results of the investigation available to the public?

DOJ Memos Authorizing Abuse: When he last testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, the Attorney General said that he would review legal opinions on CIA interrogation techniques signed by Steven Bradbury in 2005.

* Has he reviewed these memoranda? Does he agree with the analysis?

According to the New York Times, these opinions provided explicit authorization for use of a combination of painful physical and psychological tactics, including head-slapping, simulated drowning and frigid temperatures and concluded that these techniques did not constitute "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment.
 
* If the Attorney General has reviewed these opinions, does he agree with the analysis provided by Mr. Bradbury?

* If not, what aspects of the analysis does he disagree with?

* Does he agree with Former Deputy Attorney Jim Comey that these opinions would bring shame to the DOJ if made public?

Thank you.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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