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PSC 371: Seminar in World Politics & Terrorism
Notes on the US Rules on Torture and Interrogation
From Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2005, citing Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and news reports.
Compiled by Prof. Jeremy Lewis, revised 20 Nov. 2005.

  • Classic postwar international rules on torture:
  • Article 17 of the third Geneva Convention, 1949.
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
  • 1985 UN Convention Against Torture, ratified by US in 1994.
  • US Army Field Manual:
  • US interpetations of Geneva conventions for war on terrorism, post 2001:
  • Donald Rumsfeld, Defense Secretary, 19 Jan. 2002.
  • Justice Dept memo 22 Jan. 2002, to White House and DOD
  • White House counsel Alberto Gonzales advises President, 25 Jan. 2005
  • Presidential directive, 7 Feb. 2002
  • Justice Dept memo, 1 Aug. 2002
  • US Exceptions posited or approved for war on terrorism, post 2001:
  • Rumsfeld, Sec. Def. approved Dec. 2002, April 2003, or never:
  • US applications at Guantanamo or in Iraq:
  • Findings of 11 DOD investigations into abuse: Afghanistan; Guantanamo Bay; Abu Ghraib.
  • Proponents of new policy: President Bush, VP Cheney, Sec. Def. Rumsfeld, DCI Goss
  • Opposition to new policy: Lawyers and officers; State dept and NSCS; Public interest groups; Sen McCain