The White House is calling on Congress to pass legislation that undermines the baseline protections for prisoners guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions - and undermines our nation's values.
Although not as visually shocking as the Abu Ghraib prison photos from Iraq, President Bush's speech last Wednesday tells the same horrifying story: The Bush administration is again fighting for the right to abuse detainees in U.S. custody.
If the White House succeeds, we will be inviting other nations to abuse our own troops, now and in future wars. The administration is willing to risk the lives of our soldiers - and further tarnish our reputation - so that it can engage in cruel and inhuman treatment.
TELL CONGRESS TO REJECT THE PRESIDENT'S MISGUIDED PROPOSAL ON THE TREATMENT OF DETAINEES IN U.S. CUSTODY - SIGN THIS PETITION TODAY!
Dear [Congress Member],
Last Wednesday the White House announced extremely troubling proposals with regard to treatment of detainees in U.S. custody. President Bush is asking you to not only permit the use of coerced evidence but also to provide immunity to those who have abused or authorized the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody.
As a concerned constituent, I urge you to reject the Administration's proposal. This is clearly the wrong approach. It violates Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and evades the recent Hamdan v. Rumsfeld Supreme Court ruling.
I hope you make every effort to ensure this legislation never comes to pass. Our nation has complied with the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit cruel and degrading treatment, for over a century.
Please don't let the Bush Administration's plan signal the start of a dangerous new era. Not only would you be sacrificing our nation's reputation, you would be sacrificing the safety of our troops. By condoning abuse of detainees in U.S. custody, we are inviting other nations to do the same when our own soldiers are taken captive.
There is too much at stake.
I am counting on you, as my elected representative, to put America back on the right course and make sure torture never again happens in America's name.
[Your comment]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
