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Luncheon Keynote Address
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Schneider, Mark L. |
| Copyright Year | 2009 |
| Abstract | want to exPress my aPPreciation to dean claudio gross-man for that kind introduction. We have been friends for a very long time, and Claudio has introduced me at various events. However, I have noticed that since I became a Member of the Board of Trustees of American University, the introductions have become longer, more effusive and somewhat more exaggerated. In any case, I want to thank Claudio and the Association for the Prevention of Torture for inviting me to speak today. Also I am honored to be able to appear in place of Congressman Jim McGovern who I understand was unfortunately delayed in Massachusetts. Jim has been a leading advocate of respect for human rights. The International Crisis Group pursues field-based inquiries into the drivers of conflict in some 60 countries, seeking to help prevent internal and international violence, and into the mechanisms for successfully promoting post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization to try and prevent future conflict. Our reports conclude that the gross violation of individual human rights and of humanitarian law, particularly the use of torture, from Darfur to Nepal, the Kivus [Democratic Republic of Congo] to Burma, Georgia to Iraq, and Pakistan to Bangladesh constitute a major cause of civil and international conflict and a major obstacle to reconciliation. I thought it might be useful to take a brief historical look at the United States and the Prevention of Torture. Traditionally, the principle espoused by the United States has been to reject the use of torture and other cruel and unusual punishment. It is the rule accepted in law and endorsed by public opinion. Unfortunately there have been numerous exceptions in practice, and each time they occur, they demean this country, damage our image and our interests, and increase risks to our own troops and to our citizens. We are at a unique moment. Your presence today, the work of the Association for the Prevention of Torture, of UN Special Rapporteur Manfred Nowak, of a strong UN Committee Against Torture chaired by Dean Claudio Grossman, of numerous domestic and international human rights non-governmental organizations and civil society groups constitute a powerful force committed to ending torture. It is a unique moment as well because President Barack Obama is on our side. He has placed himself squarely behind those who seek an absolute end to the use of torture. Not sometimes , not except for extreme circumstances, not for temporary … |
| Starting Page | 13 |
| Ending Page | 13 |
| Page Count | 1 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Volume Number | 16 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/16/4schneider.pdf |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1092&context=hrbrief |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
