Obama Administration will not Prosecute C.I.A. Operatives that Conducted Controversial Interrogations of Terrorist Suspects

17 April 2009

Obama Administration will not Prosecute C.I.A. Operatives that Conducted Controversial Interrogations of Terrorist Suspects

By Maria E. Molina
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

After the September 11th attacks, C.I.A. operatives were allowed to utilize heightened interrogation methods. Just yesterday President Obama officially announced that his administration would not prosecute C.I.A. operatives for carrying out these controversial interrogation techniques on terrorist suspects.

Also, the Justice Department began releasing a number of detailed memos detailing the harsh techniques used against Al Qaeda suspects in secret overseas prisons. The interrogation methods were closely guarded secrets by the Bush administration. Yesterday’s release will be the most comprehensive public accounting to date of the interrogation program that some Obama officials have said used illegal torture.

The documents are expected to include Justice Department memos from 2002 and 2005 authorizing the C.I.A. to employ a number of aggressive techniques. The Bush administration memos authorized keeping detainees naked, in painful standing positions, and in cold cells for long periods of time. Other techniques included depriving them of solid food and slapping them. Sleep deprivation, prolonged shackling and threats to a detainee’s family were also utilized.

Among the anticipated documents are detailed 2005 memos by Stephen G. Bradbury, who acted as head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel and authorized the C.I.A. techniques. The documents gave legal support for using a combination of coercive techniques and concluded that the C.I.A.’s methods were not “cruel, inhuman or degrading” under international law.

Another document expected to be released this afternoon is a Justice Department memo written August 1, 2002. The memo, written by John C. Yoo and signed by Jay S. Bybee, two Justice Department officials at the time, is a legal authorization for a laundry list of proposed C.I.A. interrogation techniques.

For more information, please see:

MSNBC – CIA employees won’t be tried for waterboarding – 17 April 2009

The New York Times – Obama Releases Interrogation Memos, Says C.I.A. Operatives Won’t Be Prosecuted – 16 April 2009

The Washington Post – On Interrogation Policies, Another Delicate Compromise From Obama – 16 April 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive