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16 December 2013 Retreat on Classification of Torture Memories
A sends:
From: Connell, James G III CIV OSD OMC Defense
MILITARY COMMISSION RETREATS ON CLASSIFICATION OF TORTURE MEMORIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact: James Connell 011(5399) 5168 Alternate: Erin Daste 011(5399) 5321 GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA Today, the military commission in the 9/11 case issued several orders (AE200II, AE 013CCC, and AE013DDD) which lift the provision classifying the “observations and experiences” of defendants formerly held by the CIA. Defense attorneys are still required to treat CIA information as classified, but the military commission acknowledged that it had limited authority to control defendants’ thoughts and memories. “This ruling is an important step forward in accountability for torture,” said James Connell, attorney for Ammar al Baluchi. “The real question is whether the prison will allow the prisoners to communicate with foreign government officials, medical care providers, human rights authorities, and media.” This ruling is the latest vindication of a series of defense challenges to the United States’ authority to classify the thoughts, memories, and statements of the former CIA prisoners. In September 2012, the government abandoned its long-held policy of “presumptive classification,” in which every statement of former CIA prisoners was considered classified, but substituted a provision defining all prisoner observations and experiences on CIA detention as classified. Defense attorneys challenged that provision as violating the Convention Against Torture. Today’s ruling, which the prosecution strenuously opposed, lifts that restriction. “People who have been abused by officials have a right to tell human rights organizations, medical care providers, and others about their torture,” said Lt Col Sterling Thomas, United States Air Force, military attorney for Mr. al Baluchi. “If governments are allowed to keep allegations of torture secret, the protection against torture is worthless.”
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