* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International *
10 January 2002
Ref.: TG AMR/51/01/02
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
Office of the Secretary
The Pentagon
Washington DC
USA 7 January 2002
Dear Secretary of Defense
Amnesty International welcomes the recent statements made by a senior US military official in Afghanistan that prisoners
moved from Shibarghan prison into US custody will be given adequate food, shelter and medical care, and urges that all
suspects in US custody be treated humanely with full respect for the USA’s obligations under international standards.
However, we are concerned by photographs which have recently appeared in the press showing Al-Qaeda suspects hooded
while under guard by US troops prior to being taken to custody facilities where they would be interrogated. The United
Nations (UN) Committee against Torture has condemned the hooding and blindfolding of suspects during interrogation as
incompatible with the absolute prohibition of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment contained under the
UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention against
Torture).1 The prohibition of torture and other cruel or inhuman treatment is also contained under the Geneva
Conventions applicable to prisoners of war and any other persons hors de combat.
Amnesty International considers that the hooding of suspects in detention generally may constitute cruel treatment. The
UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment states that: AThe
term >cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’ should be interpreted so as to extend the widest possible
protection against abuses, whether physical or mental, including the holding of a detained or imprisoned person in
conditions which deprive him, temporarily or permanently, of the use of any of his natural senses, such as sight or
hearing, or his awareness of place and the passing of time@. Keeping prisoners hooded or blindfolded also prevents them
from observing or identifying any custody officials who may engage in abuses.
The Committee against Torture has ruled that as well as hooding, the following methods of interrogation may not be used
in any circumstances as they violate the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment: restraining in very painful
conditions; playing of loud music; prolonged sleep deprivation; threats, including death threats; violent shaking; and
using cold air to chill the detainee.2
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the attacks of 11 September and has called for those responsible to be
brought to justice, in accordance with international human rights standards. We would draw your attention to a recent
statement issued by the Committee against Torture in which, in condemning the attacks of 11 September and expressing
condolences for the victims, the Committee reminded States Parties to the Convention against Torture of the
non-derogable articles of most of the obligations undertaken by them in ratifying the Convention.3 The Committee cited
in particular Articles 2 (whereby Ano exceptional circumstances whatsoever may be invoked as a justification of
torture@), 15 (prohibiting confessions extorted by torture being admitted in evidence, except against the torturer) and
16 (prohibiting cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment) as three such provisions which must be observed in
all circumstances. We trust that you will take all necessary measures to ensure that these provisions are fully adhered
to in the treatment of those in US custody following military operations in Afghanistan, and that no one will be
subjected to interrogation techniques which breach such standards. We would also appreciate receiving clarification of
the legal status of those detained.
Yours sincerely
Irene Khan Secretary General
c.c. The Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary of State Director Robert S. Mueller III, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Director George J. Tenet, Central Intelligence Agency General Tommy R. Franks, Commander in Chief, United States Central
Command
1The international treaty monitoring body which monitors ratifying states’ compliance with their obligations under the
Convention against Torture. It has condemned, for example, the routine blindfolding of suspects during interrogation in
Turkey and hooding of suspects during interrogation in Israel. 2UN Doc. CAT/C.SR.297, reporting on Israel’s compliance
with the Convention against Torture: the committee recommended that interrogation by Israeli security officers applying
these methods, including hooding, Acease immediately@. 3Statement of the Committee against Torture 22/11/2001
(CAT/C/XXV11/Mis.7)
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