September 22, 2006
Oppose Torture in Any Form
The National Association of Social Workers affirms its commitment to basic principles of ethical treatment and human rights. Our NASW Code of Ethics provides a broad mandate to protect human rights and dignity. Social Workers have a responsibility to speak out against inhumane treatment of people in whatever form it exists no matter what the pretext.
NASW endorses the fundamental principles set forth in the human rights documents of the United Nations. These include “…the right not to be subjected to dehumanizing punishment (United Nations, 1948)”, and the International Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984).
On September 15, 2006 we sent a letter to all members of the U.S. Senate opposing our nation’s secret detention system and insisting on the continued application of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to all detainees.
While Senators and President Bush have come to a negotiated agreement banning most controversial tactics there is still a need to be vigilant and continue advocating for ethical treatment. The past efforts to weaken the legal protection against psychological torture by distinguishing it from physical abuse, a move condemned by the UN Committee Against Torture, have serious implications for social workers and all mental health professionals. The tentative agreement would still propose new legislation that: (From LA Times online, September 22, 2006; Bush bows to Senators on Detainees)
- Allows hearsay evidence.
- Makes note of presidential authority to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions
- Prohibits only grave breaches of the Geneva Convention defining grave breaches as acts such as torture, rape, biological experiments, and cruel and inhuman treatment.
- Allows coerced testimony if the statement was acquired before a 2005 ban on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and a judge finds it to be reliable.
- Bars individuals from protesting violations of Geneva Convention standards in court.
In affirming our commitment to human rights, humane treatment and our code of ethics, NASW opposes the above provisions. Further, its members shall not violate the NASW Code of Ethics in collaborating on “Behavioral Science Consulting Teams” (“BSCT’s”) by designing or implementing psychologically abusive environments and techniques aimed at detainees. We join with our colleagues in the American Psychiatric Association, Physicians for Human Rights and other health professions in rejecting inhumane interrogation tactics and dehumanizing punishments.
Call your Senators and ask that this Congress do the same and reject any legislation that promotes inhumane interrogation tactics and dehumanizing punishment.
Contact Luisa López, MSW or Leticia Diaz at 202-336-8287. |
