Psyche, Science, and Society

California AFSC : California Professional Must Not Engage in Torture

November 9th, 2007

The American Friends Service Committee in California has an initiative to get the state to notify all California Licensed professionals that participation or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is illegal and could result in prosecution:

Tell State Legislators: CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONALS MUST NOT ENGAGE IN TORTURE

In 2002, for the first time in American history, the Bush administration initiated a radical new policy allowing the torture of prisoners of war and other captives. Reports confirm that California licensed physicians, psychologists, and nurses have participated in these acts. Additionally, some California professionals have also failed to notify authorities when acts of torture have taken place.

As professional licensure and codes of ethics are regulated by states, California has the obligation to notify members of laws concerning torture that may result in their prosecution.

A broad coalition of medical, human rights and legal organizations are petitioning the State of California to inform its licensees of legal prohibitions against torture.

Please add your name to this effort:

We, the undersigned, urge the State of California to notify all professional licensees via newsletter, email and web-site about legal and professional obligations under Common Article III of the Geneva Conventions, the Convention Against Torture, and the amended War Crimes Act which prohibit the torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment of detainees in US custody.

We, the undersigned, further urge the State of California to direct the all relevant California agencies to notify California licensed health professionals that those who participate in torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment may one day be subject to prosecution.

We, the undersigned, further urge the State of California request that U.S. Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency remove all California-licensed health professionals, including physicians and psychologists from participating in prisoner interrogation.

Sign here.

Entry Filed under: APA, International Law, Interrogation, Psychology, Torture, War Crimes