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When the Attorney General of the United States refuses to call waterboarding torture, it’s time for Congress to Act.

At a recent Senate hearing, Attorney General Michael Mukasey would not call waterboarding torture or rule out its use in the future. At the Center for Victims of Torture, there is no question waterbaording is one in a long line of torture techniques relying on principles of asphyxiation. Their terrible impact relies not only on the panic resulting from cutting off the supply of air, but also because they constitute forms of mock execution, recognized as a separate and distinct form of torture. 

The Senate will vote in two weeks on legislation to create one standard for all US personnel and agencies for the interrogation and treatment of prisoners.  The Intelligence Authorization Act of 2008 includes an amendment that requires the CIA and intelligence contractors to follow minimum standards of humane treatment as set forth in the U.S. Army Field Manual on interrogation.

Urge your Senators to support the amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Act to establish one national standard for all U.S. personnel for the interrogation and treatment of prisoners.