fire in wire

AI-UNL secretary Sarah Beringer has a great letter about extraordinary rendition and torture in today's Public Pulse section of the Omaha World Herald. Since it's a registration site (though registration is free), here's the letter in full:

A bad choice

In the State of the Union address, President Bush proclaimed, "In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country."

However, this administration's policy of "extraordinary rendition" reflects rather poorly upon the character of the United States.

Under extraordinary rendition, "war on terror" detainees are transferred into the custody of other countries and are denied any kind of judicial and administrative process. Many of these detainees have allegedly faced torture and other ill treatment.

This policy is not only contrary to American values but also illegal under international law. If the United States wishes to reaffirm its founding principles, accountability and policy change are needed.

It is time to establish a full and independent commission of inquiry to examine past abuses and provide policy recommendations for the future. Passage of legislation that would end the use of extraordinary rendition is also necessary.

While support of such legislation is crucial, it is just one step in proving the United States' commitment to justice. These decisions will, as the president stated, "determine the future and character of our country."
Sarah Beringer, Lincoln

Comment on this and see other public pulse publications here: The Public Pulse

*Update: There was a response letter in the Omaha World Herald a few days after this was published. The letter is as follows:

Nip it in the bud

Sarah Beringer (Feb. 5 Pulse) is in quite a tizzy over "extraordinary rendition" - the U.S. policy of transferring suspected al-Qaida terrorists into the custody of other countries. She doesn't mention being concerned about captives being gunned down or beheaded by insurgents on television.

So, let's not interrogate would-be assassins, suicide bombers, roadside bombers, etc., because it's a violation of their civil rights?

Let's find out what they are up to now and not wait until it becomes necessary to pick up body parts and rubble because we were not forewarned.

Howard Shoemaker, Omaha

Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln chapter is committed to activism and education on campus and in the Lincoln community.

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