15 May 2009
Media release
For immediate release

Amnesty International extremely disappointed by US decision to hold torture photos release

Amnesty International has reiterated its call for independent investigation into "War on Terror" abuses in response to news reports that Obama administration will not be fulfilling its legal obligation per the American Civil Liberties Union's FOIA suit to release photos documenting abuse and torture of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Human beings have been tortured and denied basic rights. The American people have been lied to, and government officials who authorised and justified abusive policies have been given a pass. The world has lost faith in the United States' respect for human dignity. And still, the whole story has not been told," said Amnesty USA's executive director Larry Cox.

"Now, the Obama administration is reneging on its legal obligation to release the torture photos, a critical disclosure in helping Americans understand the range and degree of abuse that was committed in their name.

"Today's decision to hold the torture photos only points more firmly to the urgent need for an investigation to expose, prosecute and finally close the book on torture."

Amnesty International NZ's Chief Executive Director Patrick Holmes is available for New Zealand comment.

ENDS

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