Michael Otterman's powerful book, 
Michael Otterman is currently a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, as well as an award-winning journalist and filmmaker.
Monday, February 26, 2007
News Dump I
In the spirit of the great, but ever-dwindling postings down at Russ Kicks' memoryblog, I'm happy to post americantorture's first News Dump. Admittingly, I have been overwhelmed by the surge of torture news on all fronts: Jose Padilla's insanity, David Hicks' federal court challenge, and general Guantanamo/torture news. Compounding things, I am in the process of writing a few Op-Eds for the Australian media and am preparing for my Australian tour. If you are reading this, and would like to help out at americantorture please contact me. Without further ado, below is a round-up of news/criticism from the past few days:
America tortures (yawn):
"In just a few years we've grown disturbingly comfortable with the fact that the U.S. practices torture."
Cleared men, harsh facility:
"I recently returned from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and was among the first lawyers to visit the newly opened Camp 6 and observe the way in which it is being operated. It is a far cry from the 'more comfortable' facility it is billed to be."
The US psychological torture system is finally on trial:
"America has deliberately driven hundreds, perhaps thousands, of prisoners insane. Now it is being held to account in a Miami court."
Psychiatrist says US terror suspect has Stockholm syndrome:
"A psychiatrist told a court in Miami US terror suspect Jose Padilla is unable to assist in his defense as he identifies with the military captors who held him for more than three years."
Hicks lawyers launch Federal Court action:
"Lawyers for Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks will launch action in the Federal Court this morning to bring the terror suspect home. Led by constitutional expert Bret Walker SC, the team of lawyers will argue the Howard Government has breached its protective duty by failing to call for a fair trial for Hicks."
No obligation to help Hicks: Government:
"A Sydney courtroom packed with supporters of terrorist suspect David Hicks has been told the Australian Government has no legal obligation to help the Guantanamo Bay inmate. The Government might have a moral obligation to assist Australian people abroad, but there was no legal basis for a Federal Court challenge to Hicks's incarceration by United States authorities, the Federal Court was today told."
Taking on Guantánamo:
"Assigned to defend a Guantánamo detainee, jag lawyer Charles Swift joined up with legal scholar Neal Katyal and sued the president and secretary of defense over the new military-tribunal system. With their 2006 Supreme Court victory overridden by the Republican Congress, and Swift's navy career at an end, they are fighting on."
America tortures (yawn):
"In just a few years we've grown disturbingly comfortable with the fact that the U.S. practices torture."
Cleared men, harsh facility:
"I recently returned from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and was among the first lawyers to visit the newly opened Camp 6 and observe the way in which it is being operated. It is a far cry from the 'more comfortable' facility it is billed to be."
The US psychological torture system is finally on trial:
"America has deliberately driven hundreds, perhaps thousands, of prisoners insane. Now it is being held to account in a Miami court."
Psychiatrist says US terror suspect has Stockholm syndrome:
"A psychiatrist told a court in Miami US terror suspect Jose Padilla is unable to assist in his defense as he identifies with the military captors who held him for more than three years."
Hicks lawyers launch Federal Court action:
"Lawyers for Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks will launch action in the Federal Court this morning to bring the terror suspect home. Led by constitutional expert Bret Walker SC, the team of lawyers will argue the Howard Government has breached its protective duty by failing to call for a fair trial for Hicks."
No obligation to help Hicks: Government:
"A Sydney courtroom packed with supporters of terrorist suspect David Hicks has been told the Australian Government has no legal obligation to help the Guantanamo Bay inmate. The Government might have a moral obligation to assist Australian people abroad, but there was no legal basis for a Federal Court challenge to Hicks's incarceration by United States authorities, the Federal Court was today told."
Taking on Guantánamo:
"Assigned to defend a Guantánamo detainee, jag lawyer Charles Swift joined up with legal scholar Neal Katyal and sued the president and secretary of defense over the new military-tribunal system. With their 2006 Supreme Court victory overridden by the Republican Congress, and Swift's navy career at an end, they are fighting on."