CIA's odious torture tactics

THE revelations made by the US Senate Intelligence Committee about the cruel methods that the agents of CIA used to extract information from detained post-9/11 terror suspects have come as rude awakening for the world's conscience. It's hard to believe that this is from a nation that prides itself on being the leader of the free world and enlightens the rest of us about ideals of democracy, human rights and all that is lofty and noble. At one with the rest of the world, we have no words to express our shock and consternation over the report and demand that those responsible in the US government for the excesses so committed be brought to justice.

What is most reprehensible about the horrifying report is that the techniques of torture so devised by two CIA-funded psychologists served no other purpose than misinforming and misguiding the then-Bush administration about its perceived enemies. And the end result was that tens of thousands died and were maimed while millions of others underwent untold sufferings in unnecessary wars thrust upon countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. Worse yet, those wars spilled into neighbouring countries leaving its devastating impact on millions of unsuspecting others. It is none other than the US government of the time who must accept responsibility for the war crimes committed against those people.

The present US government cannot also wash its hands of the matter as it is yet to bring the perpetrators of the CIA-sponsored tortures on the prisoners to justice.

While condemning CIA's ghastly methods, we appeal to the international community, the International Criminal Court (ICC), in particular to prosecute the perpetrators and their mentors for their crimes against humanity.