PHR Library

May 20, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Use of Torture by US Forces at Bagram Calls for an Immediate Independent Investigation

A continual flow of shockingly brutal evidence of US forces engaged in physical and psychological torture, highlighted in a detailed account of the death of two Afghan detainees in today's New York Times, underscores the critical and urgent need for an independent commission to investigate the use of torture by US forces.

"Without an independent investigation into the almost daily revelations of US forces using torture, we will never put a stop to these heinous acts, " said Leonard Rubenstein, PHR's Executive Director. "Psychological torture has been at the center of treatment and interrogation of detainees. The Bush Administration decided to 'take the gloves off" in interrogations to 'break' prisoners. The authorization of psychological torture inevitably leads to physical abuse. " .

Just two weeks ago, Physicians for Human Rights released a 135 -age report, Break Them Down: Systematic Use of Psychological Torture by US Forces. The report provides extensive evidence that psychological torture was systematic and central to the interrogation process used by US personnel at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan and Iraq. The report also examines the devastating health consequences of psychological coercion and explains how a regime of torture was put into place in the US "war on terror."

Techniques of psychological torture used include sleep deprivation, isolation, sensory deprivation, forced nudity, use of military working dogs to instill fear, cultural and sexual humiliation, mock executions, and the threat of violence or death toward detainees or their loved ones.

Related Links

Read the full report: Break Them Down: The Systematic Use of Psychological Torture by U.S. Forces

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) mobilizes the health professions to advance the health and dignity of all people by protecting human rights. As a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, PHR shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.