Links & Papers

Speaking Out Against Torture

Links to Organizations (click the organization's name to access their websites)

Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT). ACAT is a part of the International Federation of ACAT (FIACAT), an international non-governmental organization for the defense of human rights. The fight for the abolition of torture and of the death penalty by promoting exchanges between the different ACAT groups, proposing joint activities or campaigns, as well as by providing regional or international training courses.

Citizens Interfaith Coalition. The Citizens' Interfaith Coalition to Reaffirm and Extend the Geneva Conventions provides information and welcomes your participation, expressions of concern, and advocacy regarding injury to civilians in the conduct of war, and about the treatment of wartime detainees and prisoners.

National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT). NRCAT has three areas of focus in 2010: torture of post-9/11 detainees; torture in U.S. prisons, and U.S. policies and practices that affect the use of torture by other governments.For all three areas of focus, NRCAT will seek to increase the number of people in the United States who believe that torture is always wrong—without exception. NRCAT invites people of all faiths to address torture as a moral issue.

Rabbis for Human Rights — North America. This organization includes rabbis, communities, and individuals dedicated to the human rights of all. The name K'vod Habriot comes from the rabbinic concept of respect for the dignity of all people. It is through K'vod Habriot that RHR-NA plans to continue the holy work of the Jewish Campaign Against Torture and mobilize communities and activists around key human rights concerns, including the new Campaign Against Slavery.

Presbyterian Church (USA) The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a long history of crying out against torture and from this link you can access its "Resolution on Human Rights in a Time of Terrorism and Torture" and the overture from the Presbytery of San Francisco on "Petitions Against Torture." Download a summary of the PCUSA Resolution here.

Quaker Initiative to End Torture (QUIT). QUIT is committed to supporting Friends in their efforts to raise awareness about state-sponsored torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; to totally abolish such practices; and to assist all those damaged by these practices.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). USCCB has published an extensive study guide on the Catholic position against torture and offers reflections on torture as a moral issue. Get a group together to discuss this timely issue and what you can do to stop torture. Download the Study here.