---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Psychologists Urge Guantanamo Closure
From:    "Wollman, Neil J." <[log in to unmask]>
Date:    Thu, June 22, 2006 12:19 pm
To:      "Wollman, Neil J." <[log in to unmask]>
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> Psychologists Urge Guantanamo Closure
> <http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylc=X3oDMTJxc3M0MDFmBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElk
AzYxNTg0NTkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNjAwNzU5MzM1BG1zZ0lkAzI5NzcEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3
Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTE1MDk2ODQxMg--;_ylg=1/SIG=11q3ptsu6/**http%3a//groups.
yahoo.com/group/psysr-disc/message/2977>
>
> Psychologists Urge Guantanamo Closure
>
> Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) joins many other human
rights organizations, and several heads of state, in calling for the
closure of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. PsySR extends its
call to include any other prisons maintained by the United States of
America where prisoners are incarcerated beyond the bounds of
> international human rights law. We also call upon our fellow
> psychologists to refrain from participating in any consultation
> involving "interrogations" in these prisons.
>
> The risks of abuse of power in coercive situations that are masked in
secrecy are well documented and Guantanamo Bay prison is yet another
example of such situations. Unfortunately, we also have a number of
references from reputable sources, including Pentagon officials (NY
Times, June 6, 2006), to the involvement of psychologists in these
procedures, particularly as part of the so-called "Behavioral Science
Consulting Teams" (BSCTs). We urge adherence to the many international
human rights conventions, agreements, principles, and laws that can help
protect both the practitioner and those who are at risk of having their
human rights violated.
>
> We stand with the United Nations when it reminds us in its report on
"Situation of Detainees in Guantanamo Bay" (16-2-2006), that, "Indeed,
human rights law applies at all times, even during situations of
emergency and armed conflicts" (p. 36). In that report there are several
references to violations of international standards by mental health
professionals--charges which remain unanswered. Many experts, including
Robert Jay Lifton and Sephen N. Xenakis recently (Los
> Angeles Times, June 8, 2006), have cautioned about the dangers of
allowing mental health professionals to become involved in
> interrogations. They write, "We are keenly aware of the dynamic and
consequences of medical misbehavior in custodial settings.."
>
> We also stand with the basic creed for psychologists: Do no harm. We
applauded when the American Psychological Association made it clear that
"Psychologists may never engage in, facilitate, or countenance torture
or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment." We were therefore most
distressed to see that the military is planning to "use only
psychologists.to help interrogators devise strategies to get information
from detainees at places like Guantanamo Bay, Cuba"( NY Times 6-7-2006).
>
> We join those with serious concerns about the practices being used at
Guantanamo Bay. Since we cannot know the nature of the
> "interrogations" being carried out there, given the secrecy
> surrounding nearly all aspects of the incarceration of these people,
there is no way to guarantee its humaneness.
>
> The safest, most principled course of action at this time is for
psychologists to refrain from participating in any way in
> interrogations under these circumstances, to close these prisons, and
bring all detainees of all categories back under the umbrella of
international human rights laws, treaties, conventions and principles
governing their treatment.
>
> Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) is a non-profit
> organization dedicated to using psychological knowledge to build a
culture of peace with justice. Born in 1982, PsySR applies the
> research, knowledge, and practices of psychology to promote durable
peace at the community, national and international levels. Its
> Steering Committee of psychologists leads an organization with members
in almost every state of the Union, and in more than 40 countries.
>
> Psychologists for Social Responsibility, 208 I St. NE, Suite B,
> Washington, DC 20002-4340, (202) 543-5347, (202) 543-5348 fax,
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:psysr%40psysr.org> , psysr.org
>
> Anne Anderson
> Coordinator
> Psychologists for Social Responsibility
> 208 I (EYE) St. NE, Suite B
> Washington, DC 20002-4340
> (202) 543-5347
> (202) 543-5348 fax
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:anderson%40psysr.org>
> www.psysr.org
>



-- 
From Mark Burton
Manchester UK

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