Sister Dianna Ortiz is certainly one of the most courageous individuals I have ever heard of. After being brutally tortured she has found the strength to speak out against torture even though it pains her greatly to recall her terrible ordeal.
I find it unimaginable that Christians can condone or support the use of torture in any way, shape or form. Sadly 62% of Evangelical Christians support the use of torture.
Warning some of these accounts are not for the faint of heart and in some cases involve explicit language.
Salon.com review of “The Blindfold’s Eyes”, Sister Dianna’s book.
Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights: Speak Truth to Power: Sister Dianna Ortiz
Horror Retold in LaFayette Square
Sr. Dianna’s Book write-up at Orbis Books.
Story about Sister Ortiz by Ursuline Sisters.
From Torture Law.org: Raped Again by My Government, urging repeal of the Military Commissions Act
From Tikkun, a letter from Sr. Ortiz to the presidential election candidates of 2008.
Not in My Name, quotes from torture victims including Sr. Ortiz.
Amnesty International “Ten Against Torture” including a letter by Sister Dianna.
Ashoka US article on Sister Ortiz.
Sister Ortiz Speaks Out Fighting to End Torture
Mariska Hargitay Reads Sister Dianna Ortiz’ Letter to Obama at “Blueprint for Accountability
Probably the most detailed article on Sister Dianna, “Pieces of Bone” from Agni Literary Art
Sister Dianna Ortiz joins Pax Christi USA
Stop the Torture
Democracy Now: Sister Dianna Ortiz Details Her Abduction and Torture by U.S.-Backed Guatemalan Military Transcript
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Human Rights First has a powerful new video that in my opinion is a must see for all US citizens. It shows how torture on TV is influencing our military personnel. It is leading to false notions that torture is acceptable and effective.
Here is a quote from the video:
“Some would argue that we would be more effective if we sanctioned torture or other expedient methods to obtain information from the enemy. They would be wrong… While we are warriors we are also human beings.” General David H. Petraeus US Army, Commander Multi-national forces Iraq, 10 May 2007
The video is available at Human Rights First and on Youtube. (Warning the scenes of torture from TV shows presented are quite graphic.)
See also this other video were a number of retired admirals and generals express their condemnation of the use of torture.
Torture is wrong, it is always wrong, it is never justified. If we condone torture in even one instance we have lost our humanity. I fear we have lost the concept that there are absolutes in this world and that there are things that are wrong.
I also strongly believe that a truth commission should be established to investigate the United States use of torture and to hold accountable all those responsible for using torture which is a crime against humanity. This is the only way we can expunge our collective guilt for that which has happened in our name.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
One thing I am pleased about is President-elect Obama’s pleadge to end torture. I hope he takes it a step further and institutes a truth commission and goes after those who made torture a US policy. In my opinion Vice-president Cheney is guilty of crimes against humanity and should be brought to trial. Of course if he is brought to trial (which I seriously doubt) he will be given access to lawyers, treated humanely, and tried in civil courts, unlike those he ordered abused etc.
Vice-president Cheney has stated that he felt his actions were justified given the circumstances. I reject his argument. There are things that are more important than safety and security.
Here are some articles for reflection.
Rejecting Vice President Cheney’s Talk on Torture
In this case, history will show that the purported “ends” – keeping the country safe – have not only not justified the “means”, but they have been challenged extremely by them. As Matthew Alexander has asserted, at least half of U.S. soldiers who have died “have come at the hands of foreigners who joined the fray because of our program of detainee abuse.” The policies that grew out of the initial reaction to September 11 – without careful reflection or reasoned analysis – have made our soldiers much less safe. The rest of us are less safe too, as U.S. detention practices have helped diminish our country’s standing all over the world. There’s also the damage we have done to our own sense of what it means to be American. This is a country of ideas and ideals, and the diminishment of those ideals embodied in the Constitution seriously challenges our collective sense of American identity, and the idea of America around the world.
The Price Of Their Security
The World According to Cheney
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
SocialVibe