Torture happens throughout the world and most countries want it to stop. It is illegal, but that doesn’t prevent it from occurring. Because prisons, jails, immigrant detention facilities, mental health institutions, youth detention facilities, and other places of detention are often not monitored, torture and abuse can occur – often by guards and other employees.
Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are contrary to our faith traditions and beliefs regarding the integrity of creation and fundamental dignity of the human being. Recently, religious leaders including Sandy Sorensen, Director of the UCC Washington Office, met with members of the Administration to call on the U.S. to sign on to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).
On November 27, 2012, senior religious leaders will have a meeting in the White House to ask the President to sign OPCAT.
As people of faith, we have an obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves and ensure that no person is tortured or abused.
**New Fact Not Fiction Campaign**
The UCC has partnered with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture to spread the word about a new effort focused on the movie Zero Dark Thirty. Although Zero Dark Thirtyis a critically acclaimed film nominated for several awards, the film implies – inaccurately – that torture led to critical intelligence in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
It is important that peole know the facts about this movie, and the facts about torture. Torture is immoral, illegal, and counterproductive. Will you help share this message? More information is available at NRCAT Fact Not Fiction Campaign
Write a letter to the editor. NRCAT preparedtalking pointsfor you to use.
Get names on the "A Call for the Facts" petition. Add your own name and thendownload it in PDFand take to your congregation or community event to get signatures.
We are happy to help you in implementing these tasks. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Michael Neuroth - neurothm@ucc.org; 202.543.1517.
OPCAT and Human Rights Day
What is OPCAT? - How can a country make sure that torture and abuse does not go on in its places of confinement?
The 63 nations that have ratified it think that the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) helps solve this problem. OPCAT sets up mechanisms that prevent torture and abuse in any place of confinement including: jails, prisons, mental health facilities, immigration detention centers, detainee centers like Guantanamo, and police stations.
Nations, like Great Britain that have ratified it, have chosen to ensure that torture does not take place in their country. Tunisia ratified it in 2011. After a new government came into power during the Arab spring, it too wanted to prevent torture.
The United States has neither signed nor ratified OPCAT. We need your help to change that and the first step is to urge President Obama to sign OPCAT. >>Get more Background information from NRCAT.
Rev. Michael Neuroth Policy Advocate for International Issues Program Team Based in Washington, DC Justice And Witness Ministries 100 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington,District of Columbia 20002 202-543-1517 neurothm@ucc.org
Rev. Sala W. J. Nolan Minister for Criminal Justice and Human Rights Program Team Based in Cleveland, Ohio Justice And Witness Ministries 700 Prospect Ave. Cleveland,Ohio 44115 216-736-3716 nolans@ucc.org
