Torture in the United States
Torture in the United States
English 1020
4/19/2012
Torture in the United States
Torture has existed all over the world for millennia but what is torture in America today? The C.I.A. and the F.B.I. have recently used torture against terrorists who were suspected to have vital information concerning American safety. Since torture is illegal in the United States, most of this torture took place at Guantanamo Bay in the southeastern corner of Cuba. Detainees at the detention camp were not entitled to any of the protections of the Geneva Convention due to the fact that Guantanamo Bay is not considered to be within legal jurisdiction of the United States. Captives at the camp were subject to horrendous “enhanced interrogation” techniques such as waterboarding, hypothermia, stress positions, and sleep deprivation. Martin describes torture as “… a stain on our great country.” Even though torture has been known to produce answers and in return save lives, it is still an immoral act.
The point of torture in Guantanamo Bay is to extract information from prisoners of war to aid the war effort in Afghanistan and Iraq. Waterboarding is an “enhanced interrogation” technique used by the C.I.A. and other military groups. When one is water boarded, water is poured over the face to simulate the effects of drowning. Waterboarding can cause extreme pain, damage to the lungs, brain damage, and lasting psychological effects. Molin describes how waterboarding works:
“The individual is bound securely to an inclined bench, which is approximately four feet by seven feet. The individual’s feet are generally elevated. A cloth is placed over the forehead and eyes. Water is then applied to the cloth in a controlled manner. As this is done, the cloth is lowered until it covers both the nose and mouth. Once the cloth is saturated and completely covers the mouth and nose, air flow is slightly restricted for 20 to 40 seconds due to the presence of the cloth. This causes an increase in
English 1020
4/19/2012
Torture in the United States
Torture has existed all over the world for millennia but what is torture in America today? The C.I.A. and the F.B.I. have recently used torture against terrorists who were suspected to have vital information concerning American safety. Since torture is illegal in the United States, most of this torture took place at Guantanamo Bay in the southeastern corner of Cuba. Detainees at the detention camp were not entitled to any of the protections of the Geneva Convention due to the fact that Guantanamo Bay is not considered to be within legal jurisdiction of the United States. Captives at the camp were subject to horrendous “enhanced interrogation” techniques such as waterboarding, hypothermia, stress positions, and sleep deprivation. Martin describes torture as “… a stain on our great country.” Even though torture has been known to produce answers and in return save lives, it is still an immoral act.
The point of torture in Guantanamo Bay is to extract information from prisoners of war to aid the war effort in Afghanistan and Iraq. Waterboarding is an “enhanced interrogation” technique used by the C.I.A. and other military groups. When one is water boarded, water is poured over the face to simulate the effects of drowning. Waterboarding can cause extreme pain, damage to the lungs, brain damage, and lasting psychological effects. Molin describes how waterboarding works:
“The individual is bound securely to an inclined bench, which is approximately four feet by seven feet. The individual’s feet are generally elevated. A cloth is placed over the forehead and eyes. Water is then applied to the cloth in a controlled manner. As this is done, the cloth is lowered until it covers both the nose and mouth. Once the cloth is saturated and completely covers the mouth and nose, air flow is slightly restricted for 20 to 40 seconds due to the presence of the cloth. This causes an increase in
Cited: Martin, S. (May 13, 2011). Even if torture works, it is still immoral. In The Washington Post. Retrieved November 8, 2011, from <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/even-if-torture-works-it-is-still-immoral/2011/05/13/AF0evy2G_blog.html.> Bardes, David A. "US admits to “Cold Cell” Torture." Change.org. N.p., 14 Apr. 2006. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-cold-cell-torture-and-murder-in-american-jails>. Houk, Marian. "Sleep deprivation is torture." UN-Truth. N.p., 28 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://http://un-truth.com/human-rights/sleep-deprivation-is-torture>. Molin, Teo. "A Brief History of Waterboarding." Human Events. N.p., 12 June 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=32252>. Watts, Jonathan. "Torture still widespread in China, says UN investigator." theguardian. N.p., 2 Dec. 2006. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. <http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/dec/03/china.jonathanwatts>.