Maher Arar torture

The torture debate is back. Even though the facts are clear — that torture is immoral, illegal and counterproductive — segments of the American public and media are once again falling for the tired argument that torture is acceptable because it produces "results."
But if you look beyond the headlines, the only "results" left from torture are egregious crimes and broken lives. We need to take control of the torture debate and stand for the human rights principles we hold dear.

Join us by sharing the story of one torture survivor, Maher Arar, with your family and friends during Torture Awareness Month in June. Host a house party screening of a short, compelling video on Maher Arar's case, and then add your names to the growing list of activists asking Obama and Congress to apologize to Maher Arar for his terrible mistreatment.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/multimedia/us-sends-man-to-syria-to-be-tortured

Silence in the face of torture just isn't going to cut it — not with torture apologists like Dick Cheney coming out of the woodwork. In the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden, the former vice president appeared on national television calling for a return to waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation" techniques. But there is no evidence these techniques work: On the contrary, prisoners subjected to the harshest treatment not only failed to provide useful information but actually misled interrogators about about the identity of Osama bin Laden's courier.

Sadly, just like the old "war on terror" days, a growing segment of the American public seems to be aligning again with Cheney and his torture-supporting ilk. A recent survey by the American Red Cross revealed that 59% of American teenagers polled and 51% of American adults surveyed thought torture was sometimes justified.

These numbers are shocking. That the torture "debate" is still happening at all in the US is outrageous. But with the airwaves abuzz with torture talk, we have an extraordinary opportunity to make an impact on the conversation. We know that human rights supporters like you are out there ready to defend a principled stand on torture — and now is the time for you to speak out in support of torture victims like Maher Arar.

This June, Torture Awareness Month, take a stand for the tenets of human rights and justice that you believe in. June 26 is International Day in Support of Victims of Torture — a national day of action to ensure the rights of torture survivors. Will you spend a simple evening sharing your beliefs with others and taking action for the human rights of Maher Arar? Let's come together to end torture, once and for all.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/multimedia/us-sends-man-to-syria-to-be-tortured

Sincerely,

Zeke Johnson
Security with Human Rights Campaigner
Amnesty International USA

P.S. Only have a minute to take action? Sign our online petition in support of Maher Arar today.
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=15496