To the Editor:
The United Nations Convention Against Torture was ratified by the United States in 1994. Thus, Americans who torture prisoners violate international law and the laws of the United States.
The Convention Against Torture begins its definition of torture as follows, “Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person…” That surely describes what was reported last week by the Senate Intelligence Committee.
The people responsible for torturing prisoners during the so-called “War Against Terror” should be prosecuted and tried in a court of law. Attorney General Eric Holder should appoint a special prosecutor as soon as possible to prepare indictments and pursue them to trial.
If former President George W. Bush knew what was being done pursuant to his orders, he should be indicted, too.
Morrison Bonpasse
Newcastle