US Congress bans inhuman treatment of detainees
Regional-USA, Politics, 12/23/2005

The US Congress yesterday approved a law outlawing the use of torture, or cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees being held by the US military and civilian federal agencies

US President George W. Bush, who initialy opposed such a law, consented to it. Sponsored By Senator John McCain, who himself suffered severe torture as a detainee in Vietnam, the law bans "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" of detainees in the custody of the US military and civilian agencies anywhere in the world.

Also, the law requires the US military to use only those interrogation techniques listed in the US Army Field Manual on intelligence interrogations which uses wording that adheres to the Geneva Conventions protection for prisoners of war.

The measure also provides for limited judicial review of appeals from detainees seeking determinations of their enemy combatant status.

Previous Stories:
  US: We are not allowing the Red Cross full access to accused detainees   (12/10/2005)
  Rice says rendition of suspects accused of terrorism within the law   (12/7/2005)
  'Deeply regretting' US terms, UN rights experts turn down visit to Guantanamo   (11/18/2005)
  Iraq: Annan deeply concerned by reported abuse of Iraqi detainees   (11/17/2005)
  On US policy on torture and secret prisons   (11/10/2005)
  American forces release 500 prisoners from Abu Ghreib prison   (11/2/2005)
  Human Rights Watch: US abuse of detainees is systematic and sever   (9/28/2005)
  Three year imprisonment for US soldier in Abu Ghreib case   (9/28/2005)
  Bush calls freedom from torture 'inalienable human right'   (6/27/2005)
  US Senate hearing on detainees; an accused person has no rights   (6/16/2005)
  US: No Policy of abuse at Abu Ghraib; direct responsibility up to the brigade level   (8/26/2004)
  Powell holds the military leadership responsible for Abu Ghreib scandal   (5/15/2004)
  Rumsfeld in Abu Ghreib prison: Arab media publishes lies   (5/14/2004)

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