Yael
06-26-2009, 06:17 AM
The Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture (BARCAT), the local affiliate of the National Religious Campaing Against Torture (NRCAT), is bringing together an interfaith delegation to meet with Rep. Lynn Woolsey. The purpose of the visit is to ask Representative Woolsey to co-sponsor H.R. 104 (Conyers), which calls for the creation of a Commision of Inquiry to investigate U.S.-sponsored torture in the post-9/11 era. (The scope of the commission goes beyond torture, but this is the focus of BARCAT and NRCAT).
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 30. BARCAT needs additional people who are constiuents of Representative Woolsey to join the delegation. People interested in participating in this delegation should contact Ellen Peskin in Sonoma County at 707.829.8341 or, in the Bay Area, you can contact Joel Siegel, 510-704-0154, siegeljd@earthlink. net; or Robin Braverman, 925-979-1998,rivkah48@sbcglobal. net; or Patty Lipinska at 510-849-1082 pattydoula@yahoo. com. It is crucial to contact one of these individuals before coming to the delegation.
Below is more information about NRCAT's call for a Commission of Inquiry and the Conyer's bill.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF THE CALL FOR A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
https://www.nrcat. org/index. php?option= com_wrapper& Itemid=197
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
About a Commission of Inquiry
https://www.nrcat. org/storage/ nrcat/documents/ q__a_-_statement _on_commission_ of_inquiry. doc
1.) Q.) Why do we need a Commission of Inquiry?
A.) We know that our country used torture as an interrogation technique. We don't, however, have a full understanding of who was tortured, what techniques were used, what criteria was used to select those techniques, why they were tortured, who tortured them, who authorized the use of torture, and what can be done to ensure that we never torture again. No committee of Congress and no investigating attorney has the necessary resources or jurisdiction to answer these questions in a comprehensive manner. Only a Commission of Inquiry, provided with sufficient resources and empowered with the ability to subpoena documents and witnesses, will be able to piece together all of the information necessary to ensure that we, as a country are able both to acknowledge the extent of our mistakes and to take the appropriate steps to ensure that they are not repeated.
2.) Q.) Will the Commission prosecute people?
A.) No. The Commission's role is to establish the facts and to make recommendations about how we can prevent the future use of torture. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for carrying out criminal investigations. In 2008 NRCAT called on the DOJ to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate the use of torture. We still believe that is a good idea.
3.) Q.) Will the Commission's investigation delay criminal prosecutions and thereby cause them to run up against statute of limitations issues?
A.) No. Establishing a Commission will neither preclude nor require criminal prosecutions. Criminal investigations/ prosecutions can proceed as soon as the DOJ determines that they are merited based on available evidence. NRCAT has called for criminal investigations into the use of torture, and we will continue to do so.
4.) Q.) How important is it that the Commission has the ability to subpoena documents and witnesses?
A.) Vital. Without this power the Commission may find itself unable to obtain testimony from high-level witnesses.
5.) Q.) Will the Commission release a public report on the results of its investigation?
A.) Yes. The American people need to know what was done in our name. We all bear some responsibility for the actions of our government – and knowing what our government has done is essential to exercising that responsibility.
6.) Q.) Is this really just an exercise in partisanship – i.e. a way to attack members of one political party?
A.) No! The Commission should exist only to determine the facts so that we can move forward. It should not engage in partisan attacks.
7.) Q.) Who should serve as members of the Commission?
A.) The Commission should be made up of respected Americans from a variety of backgrounds (military, intelligence, faith, business, judicial, and political). The Commission should be non-partisan (none of the Commission members should be currently serving in a major political office, nor should they be noted partisans), and each Commission member should be committed to the principle that the use of torture is unacceptable in all situations, without exception.
INFORMATION ON HR 104
https://thomas. loc.gov/cgi- bin/bdquery/ z?d111:HR00104: @@@L&summ2= m&
Text of bill can be found at https://thomas. loc.gov/cgi- bin/query/ z?c111:H. R.104:
H.R.104
Title: To establish a national commission on presidential war powers and civil liberties.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/6/2009 ) Cosponsors (48)
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jump to: Summary, Major Actions, All Actions, Titles, Cosponsors, Committees, Related Bill Details, Amendments
SUMMARY AS OF:
1/6/2009 --Introduced.
Establishes the National Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties to investigate, and report to the President and Congress on, the broad range of policies of the Bush Administration that were undertaken under claims of unreviewable war powers, including: (1) detention by the Armed Forces and the intelligence community; (2) the use by such entities of enhanced interrogation techniques or techniques not authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice; (3) "ghosting" or other policies intended to conceal an individual's capture or detention; (4) extraordinary rendition; and (5) domestic warrantless electronic surveillance.
MAJOR ACTIONS:
***NONE***
ALL ACTIONS:
1/6/2009:
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Armed Services
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Intelligence (Permanent Select)
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Judiciary
6/12/2009:
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Foreign Affairs
TITLE(S): (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
***NONE***
COSPONSORS(48) , ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] - 4/23/2009
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 1/7/2009
Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] - 1/7/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 4/23/2009
Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 6/11/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 4/21/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 1/6/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 2/9/2009
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] - 4/23/2009
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 1/21/2009
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 1/6/2009
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 5/13/2009
Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] - 4/22/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] - 4/23/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 1/15/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 4/23/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 2/11/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 2/4/2009
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] - 4/23/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 1/15/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 1/7/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 4/23/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 1/15/2009
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 3/5/2009
Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] - 4/23/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 1/6/2009
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 1/6/2009
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 2/9/2009
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 4/23/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 6/2/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 2/9/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 2/9/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 6/2/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/5/2009
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 5/4/2009
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 4/23/2009
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 1/6/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 2/4/2009
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 2/12/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 1/14/2009
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 4/23/2009
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 1/7/2009
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/26/2009
Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] - 3/5/2009
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 1/7/2009
Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 4/23/2009
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/16/2009
Rep Wu, David [OR-1] - 1/21/2009
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 30. BARCAT needs additional people who are constiuents of Representative Woolsey to join the delegation. People interested in participating in this delegation should contact Ellen Peskin in Sonoma County at 707.829.8341 or, in the Bay Area, you can contact Joel Siegel, 510-704-0154, siegeljd@earthlink. net; or Robin Braverman, 925-979-1998,rivkah48@sbcglobal. net; or Patty Lipinska at 510-849-1082 pattydoula@yahoo. com. It is crucial to contact one of these individuals before coming to the delegation.
Below is more information about NRCAT's call for a Commission of Inquiry and the Conyer's bill.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF THE CALL FOR A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
https://www.nrcat. org/index. php?option= com_wrapper& Itemid=197
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
About a Commission of Inquiry
https://www.nrcat. org/storage/ nrcat/documents/ q__a_-_statement _on_commission_ of_inquiry. doc
1.) Q.) Why do we need a Commission of Inquiry?
A.) We know that our country used torture as an interrogation technique. We don't, however, have a full understanding of who was tortured, what techniques were used, what criteria was used to select those techniques, why they were tortured, who tortured them, who authorized the use of torture, and what can be done to ensure that we never torture again. No committee of Congress and no investigating attorney has the necessary resources or jurisdiction to answer these questions in a comprehensive manner. Only a Commission of Inquiry, provided with sufficient resources and empowered with the ability to subpoena documents and witnesses, will be able to piece together all of the information necessary to ensure that we, as a country are able both to acknowledge the extent of our mistakes and to take the appropriate steps to ensure that they are not repeated.
2.) Q.) Will the Commission prosecute people?
A.) No. The Commission's role is to establish the facts and to make recommendations about how we can prevent the future use of torture. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for carrying out criminal investigations. In 2008 NRCAT called on the DOJ to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate the use of torture. We still believe that is a good idea.
3.) Q.) Will the Commission's investigation delay criminal prosecutions and thereby cause them to run up against statute of limitations issues?
A.) No. Establishing a Commission will neither preclude nor require criminal prosecutions. Criminal investigations/ prosecutions can proceed as soon as the DOJ determines that they are merited based on available evidence. NRCAT has called for criminal investigations into the use of torture, and we will continue to do so.
4.) Q.) How important is it that the Commission has the ability to subpoena documents and witnesses?
A.) Vital. Without this power the Commission may find itself unable to obtain testimony from high-level witnesses.
5.) Q.) Will the Commission release a public report on the results of its investigation?
A.) Yes. The American people need to know what was done in our name. We all bear some responsibility for the actions of our government – and knowing what our government has done is essential to exercising that responsibility.
6.) Q.) Is this really just an exercise in partisanship – i.e. a way to attack members of one political party?
A.) No! The Commission should exist only to determine the facts so that we can move forward. It should not engage in partisan attacks.
7.) Q.) Who should serve as members of the Commission?
A.) The Commission should be made up of respected Americans from a variety of backgrounds (military, intelligence, faith, business, judicial, and political). The Commission should be non-partisan (none of the Commission members should be currently serving in a major political office, nor should they be noted partisans), and each Commission member should be committed to the principle that the use of torture is unacceptable in all situations, without exception.
INFORMATION ON HR 104
https://thomas. loc.gov/cgi- bin/bdquery/ z?d111:HR00104: @@@L&summ2= m&
Text of bill can be found at https://thomas. loc.gov/cgi- bin/query/ z?c111:H. R.104:
H.R.104
Title: To establish a national commission on presidential war powers and civil liberties.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/6/2009 ) Cosponsors (48)
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Jump to: Summary, Major Actions, All Actions, Titles, Cosponsors, Committees, Related Bill Details, Amendments
SUMMARY AS OF:
1/6/2009 --Introduced.
Establishes the National Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties to investigate, and report to the President and Congress on, the broad range of policies of the Bush Administration that were undertaken under claims of unreviewable war powers, including: (1) detention by the Armed Forces and the intelligence community; (2) the use by such entities of enhanced interrogation techniques or techniques not authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice; (3) "ghosting" or other policies intended to conceal an individual's capture or detention; (4) extraordinary rendition; and (5) domestic warrantless electronic surveillance.
MAJOR ACTIONS:
***NONE***
ALL ACTIONS:
1/6/2009:
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Armed Services
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Intelligence (Permanent Select)
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Judiciary
6/12/2009:
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
1/6/2009:
Referred to House Foreign Affairs
TITLE(S): (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
***NONE***
COSPONSORS(48) , ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] - 4/23/2009
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 1/7/2009
Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] - 1/7/2009
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 4/23/2009
Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 6/11/2009
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 4/21/2009
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 1/6/2009
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 2/9/2009
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] - 4/23/2009
Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 1/21/2009
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 1/6/2009
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 5/13/2009
Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] - 4/22/2009
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] - 4/23/2009
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 1/15/2009
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 4/23/2009
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 2/11/2009
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 2/4/2009
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] - 4/23/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 1/15/2009
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 1/7/2009
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 4/23/2009
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 1/15/2009
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 3/5/2009
Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] - 4/23/2009
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 1/6/2009
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 1/6/2009
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 2/9/2009
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 4/23/2009
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 6/2/2009
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 2/9/2009
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 2/9/2009
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 6/2/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/5/2009
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 5/4/2009
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 4/23/2009
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 1/6/2009
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 2/4/2009
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 2/12/2009
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 1/14/2009
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 4/23/2009
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 1/7/2009
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/26/2009
Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] - 3/5/2009
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 1/7/2009
Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 4/23/2009
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/16/2009
Rep Wu, David [OR-1] - 1/21/2009