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- PHR Condemns Bush's Veto of Torture Prohibition; Calls for Congress to Vote to Override
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) strongly condemns President Bush's veto of the Intelligence Authorization Bill, which extends the Army Field Manual's standards for detainee treatment and interrogation to the CIA. PHR urges Congress to override the president's veto.
March 8, 2008 - Congress Passes Measure Banning the CIA's "Enhanced" Interrogation Techniques
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) praises yesterday's historic passage by the US Senate of a bill that extends the standards of the Army Field Manual (AFM) for detainee treatment and interrogation to the CIA and all other US agencies.
February 14, 2008 - PHR Pushes Court to Hold CIA in Contempt for Failure to Disclose Torture Documents; Joins ACLU in Filing Motion
PHR is a plaintiff in the American Civil Liberty Union's (ACLU) contempt motion against the CIA being heard today in Federal District Court.
January 16, 2008 - PHR Calls on Attorney General to Conduct Investigation into Destruction of CIA Tapes, Legality of ‘Enhanced’ Interrogation Program
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today called on Attorney General Mukasey to open an investigation into whether the CIA’s admitted destruction of video recordings, allegedly showing interrogations of suspected terrorists, violated the law.
December 7, 2007 - PHR Opposes Nomination of Mukasey for Attorney General; Calls on Congress to Ban CIA’S “Enhanced” Techniques
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has announced its opposition to President Bush's nominee for US Attorney General, Judge Michael Mukasey, due to his failure to affirmatively call the practice of “waterboarding” torture and declare it illegal under US law. PHR strongly praised Senator Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) opposition to the nomination and called on all members of the Senate to vote against President Bush’s nomination of Mukasey.
November 2, 2007 - PHR Urges Attorney General Nominee Judge Mukasey to Pledge Release and Recision of 2005 "Torture Memos"
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) called on Attorney General-Designate Michael Mukasey to pledge that he will order the Department of Justice to release and rescind the 2005 Office of Legal Counsel memos authorizing interrogation techniques...
October 16, 2007 - APA Condemns CIA Enhanced Interrogation Tactics; PHR Urges Bush Administration to Abolish These Techniques
The American Psychological Association's (APA) "unequivocal condemnation" of enhanced interrogation techniques used by the CIA such as water-boarding, mock execution, exploitation of phobias, exposure to extremes of heat and cold reinforces the urgency of abolishing the use of these methods in all intelligence-gathering activities conducted by the US government, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today.
August 19, 2007 - Those Who Authorize and Use CIA "Enhanced" Interrogation Tactics Risk Criminal Prosecution
A landmark report released today by two leading human rights groups concludes that U.S. officials who authorize or use "enhanced" interrogation techniques risk violating U.S. law and could face criminal prosecution.
August 2, 2007 - PHR Condemns White House Refusal to Repudiate Methods of Torture
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said that today’s Executive Order from President Bush on CIA detention and interrogations is more equivocation from the White House. ...
July 20, 2007 - Following Groundbreaking Report by Vanity Fair: PHR Condemns Illegal, Ineffective and Unethical CIA and US Military Torture Practices
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) urgently reiterated its call today for the White House and Congress to prohibit the use of all SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) techniques in interrogations by US agencies, especially those conducted by the CIA at the agency’s "Black Sites" and other secret facilities...
July 17, 2007 - Physicians for Human Rights Opposes Bush Nominee for CIA General Counsel; Urges Senate to Reject Nomination
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), today announced its opposition to President Bush’s nominee for CIA General Counsel, John A. Rizzo, currently the acting CIA General Counsel.
July 5, 2007 - Physicians for Human Rights on the Resignation of Army Surgeon General Kevin Kiley
"The scandal over the treatment of veterans at Walter Reed is symptomatic of a larger problem: the erosion of the core principals of military medical ethics by the Bush Administration," stated Leonard S. Rubenstein, Executive Director of Physicians for Human Rights.
March 12, 2007 - New Study Finds Homicide, Mortar Attacks Leading Causes of Death for Detainees in US Custody
Comprehensive peer-reviewed study looking causes of death for detainees in US custody reports that 112 detainees [105 in Iraq and 7 in Afghanistan] died between 2002 and 2005.
December 5, 2006 - PHR Calls on Congress to Vote Against Military Commissions Bill; Interrogation Tactics that Could Be Authorized Cause Severe Short- and Long-term Mental and Physicial Harm
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today urged all members of Congress to vote against the Military Commissions Bill this week. PHR is gravely concerned that the bill allows coerced testimony to be admitted in trials...
September 26, 2006 - PHR Decries House and Senate Passage of Military Commissions Act; President Still Bound by Common Article 3 and Detainee Treatment Act—PHR Vows to Hold Administration Accountable to Geneva Conventions
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) condemned yesterday’s passage by Congress of the Military Commissions Act, which gives President Bush the power to interpret what constitutes a violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
September 26, 2006 - PHR and Seven Leading Health Professionals Call for Prohibition of Abusive CIA Interrogation Tactics in Detainee Treatment and Trial Bill; Congress Must Not Cede Interpretation of Geneva Conventions to President
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is gravely concerned that the agreement reached yesterday, unless further clarified by Congress, would give the Bush Administration the discretion and immunity from prosecution to freely use a whole host of tactics that are clearly torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
September 22, 2006 - PHR Calls on Congress to Reject White House Military Commissions Bill and Amendments to War Crimes Act
As the Bush Administration continues to pressure Congress to pass the President’s version of the Military Commissions Bill, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) called today on the House and Senate to reject the legislation.
September 12, 2006 - Reaction Quotes from Physicians for Human Rights to Speech by President Bush and Release of Revised Army Field Manual
Quotes in reaction to the release of the revised Army Field Manual (DoD Directive 2310.01E—DoD Detainee Program and Army FM 2.22-3—Human Intelligence Collector Operations) by the Pentagon and to President Bush’s speech in support of legislation to prevent prosecution for those who have authorized and used abusive interrogation tactics...
September 6, 2006 - Schlesinger Panel's Report Inadequate: Not Strong Enough on Torture; Comprehensive Investigation Needed
The Schlesinger Panel's report released today is highly critical of top military officials and contributes to understanding the origin of abuses against detainees, but it falls far short of establishing accountability and addressing systemic problems with US interrogation and detention policy, said Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)...
August 24, 2006 - In the Wake of Supreme Court Ruling, US Must Try Detainees Under Uniform Code of Military Justice and Geneva Conventions
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today called upon the President and Congress to try detainees for war crimes in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
July 5, 2006 - Pentagon's New Medical Guidelines for Detainees May Exacerbate the Problems They Are Designed to Solve
Physicians for Human Rights is concerned that the Pentagon's new medical guidelines for the treatment of detainees significantly deviate from internationally accepted standards...
June 17, 2006 - PHR Welcomes American Medical Association's Adoption of Rules Against Physician Involvement in Interrogation; Pentagon Must Commit to Adhere to AMA's Guidelines
Today in Chicago, the American Medical Association's (AMA's) House of Delegates adopted ethical guidelines that make it unethical for physicians to participate in the interrogation of detainees, such as those held at Guantanamo Bay and other US facilities. The new ethical guidelines appear to conflict directly with the rules released last week by the Pentagon for guiding the involvement of military physicians and other health personnel in interrogations...
June 12, 2006 - Physicians for Human Rights Denounces New Pentagon Instructions on Medical Support for Interrogation
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), a health professional organization that has served as a leading voice against torture and abuse of detainees in US custody...
June 6, 2006 - Physicians for Human Rights Commends Psychiatric Association for Prohibiting Member Participation in Detainee Interrogations
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) yesterday adopted an ethical rule prohibiting psychiatrists from participating in interrogation of prisoners and detainees, a measure strongly endorsed by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)...
May 22, 2006 - PHR Applauds UN Call to End Psychological Torture; New Army Field Manual Must Prohibit Psychological Torture
The UN Committee Against Torture today firmly rejected the Bush administration's distinction between physical and psychological torture, a finding strongly supported by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)...
May 19, 2006 - Over 250 Medical Leaders Condemn Brutal Force-Feeding Methods at Guantánamo
Physicians for Human Rights calls for an end to cruel, inhuman and degrading tactics designed to break detainees' hunger strike.
March 10, 2006 - New Abu Ghraib Photos Underscore the Need for an Independent Investigation of Torture by U.S. Troops
In response to newly released images of abuse at Abu Ghraib shown on Australian television, Physicians for Human Rights renews its call for an independent investigation into torture by U.S. troops...
February 15, 2006 - On 4th Anniversary of Opening of Guantánamo Detention Facility, PHR Calls for Independent Access to Detainees and Commission to Review Interrogation Techniques
Four years after Guantánamo Bay opened on January 11, 2002 as a US detention facility, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) renews its call for access to the facility to conduct a public medical and human rights evaluation by independent health professionals and urges an independent commission to investigate interrogation techniques.
January 10, 2006 - PHR Hails Reversal of President on McCain Amendment and Sets Bar for Administration Response
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) welcomes the agreement reached between the President and Senator John McCain to denounce cruel and inhuman and degrading treatment of all persons in US custody...
December 16, 2005 - On Eve of Human Rights Day, Secretary Rice's Declaration on Prohibition of Torture Rings Hollow
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s recent statement that US policy prohibits all US personnel from using cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment would be welcome if accompanied by support for the McCain amendment,’ said Leonard S. Rubenstein, executive director of Physicians for Human Rights...
December 8, 2005 - Medical Associations Speak Out in Support of McCain Amendment
Leaders of the US health professional community have spoken out forcefully in support of the "McCain Amendment" to reaffirm the US prohibition of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment...
November 1, 2005 - PHR Urges Retention of McCain Amendment as Vice President Cheney Moves to Legalize Torture
At the urging of Vice President Cheney, the US Congress may soon take the unprecedented step of authorizing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by US personnel...
October 26, 2005 - Forced Feeding of Gitmo Detainees Violates International Medical Codes of Ethics
The force feeding of hunger strikers by physicians at Guantanamo Bay under the authority of US officials is in direct violation of international codes of medical ethics, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today…
September 16, 2005 - Human Rights Groups Support Amendments by McCain and Levin to Defense Department Bill
PHR has joined several leading US human rights organizations in expressing strong support for two measures recently offered in the US Senate to reaffirm the United States' commitment against torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and detainees in US custody...
August 5, 2005 - Hundreds of Health Professionals Call on US to Stop Participating in Torture and Support Independent Investigation
A group of leading US health professionals have called on their colleagues throughout the United States to join them in urging steps to end torture and cruel treatment by US forces...
June 23, 2005 - Abu Ghraib-One Year Later: Comprehensive Report Documents Use of Psychological Torture by US Forces
One year after the release of scandalous photographs of US personnel torturing Iraqi detainees at the US-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, a new report provides extensive evidence that psychological torture was systematic and central to the interrogation process of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantánamo…
May 1, 2005 - Judicial Nominee Accused of Supporting Torture of Detainees
In a letter sent today to Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Patrick Leahy, Ranking Member of the Committee, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) stated its opposition to the pending nomination of William Haynes II, General Counsel for the Department for Defense...
April 11, 2005 - Church Report Falls Short of Establishing Accountability; PHR Calls for Independent Commission to Investigate Torture by US Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantánamo
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today that the investigation led by Vice Admiral Albert Church II into allegations of torture by US personnel is woefully inadequate…
March 14, 2005 - Physicians for Human Rights Opposes Nomination of Alberto Gonzales to Attorney General; Opposition is a First for the Human Rights Group
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) announced its opposition to the confirmation of White House Legal Counsel Alberto Gonzales to be Attorney General of the United States. As the top legal officer of the nation, the Attorney General has the responsibility to assure that all agencies of government prevent torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment...
January 21, 2005 - Guantanamo: Health Personnel Participation in Torture of Detainees Must Stop; PHR Calls for Independent Investigation
In response to new reports of torture of detainees in US custody, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) reiterated its call today for an independent and comprehensive investigation of US interrogation practices...
November 30, 2004 - Schlesinger Panel's Report Inadequate: Not Strong Enough on Torture; Comprehensive Investigation Needed
The Schlesinger Panel's report released today is highly critical of top military officials and contributes to understanding the origin of abuses against detainees...
August 24, 2004 - Abu Ghraib: PHR Calls for Independent Investigation into Involvement of Medical Personnel in Abuses, Issues Ethical Guidelines for Military Physicians
Prominent health professionals, including former Surgeon General David Satcher and Physicians for Human Rights have called on James Schlesinger in his capacity as Chair of the Independent Panel to Review Department of Defense Detention Operations...
August 20, 2004 - On International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, PHR Calls for Thorough, Independent Investigation of Torture and Cruel Treatment by U.S. Forces
On International Day to Support Victims of Torture, June 26, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) urges Congress and President Bush to establish a commission to conduct an independent investigation...
June 25, 2004 - U.S. Illegally Withheld Records Concerning Abuse of Abu Ghraib and Other Detainees, Rights Groups' Lawsuit Charges
The Department of Defense and other government agencies illegally withheld records concerning the abuse of detainees in American military custody...
June 2, 2004 - Reprimanding Isn't Enough
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today said that reprimanding those responsible for the heinous act in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison is important but not enough and renewed its call for the Bush Administration to produce a set of interrogation guidelines…
May 4, 2004



