North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture
Seeking accountability for our state's role in extraordinary rendition
The North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture was formed after the
2010 Weaving a Net of Accountability conference.
The commission is directed by
the Organizing Committee for the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture.
The Convention Against Torture requires the United States government to take affirmative action
to investigate and seek justice when it has engaged in torture. In light of our government's failure
to do so, a citizen-developed truth commission can create a public record and advance efforts
toward justice.
We recognize that acceptance of U.S. engagement in torture overseas desensitizes us to detainee
mistreatment closer to home. This includes the abuse of inmates in U.S. prisons, and the failure
to comply with both domestic and international standards in the treatment of detained
immigrants.
A North Carolina commission may serve as a model for a national process already envisioned by
leaders in the torture accountability movement. We are committed to a full and transparent
investigation that exposes not only the facts of the program, but also the climate of fear and the
culture of acceptance—and even encouragement—of official misconduct involving patterns of
grave human rights abuse.
Our background further explains extraordinary rendition and torture
and the use of North Carolina facilities to enable the rendition of detainees
to foreign sites for interrogation and torture.
See the Commission's
statement of intent and consider endorsing the work
of the Commission.
Donations are accepted and very much appreciated.
Organizing Committee for the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture
- Robin Kirk, Duke Human Rights Center
- Deborah Weissman, Reef C. Ivey II Distinguished Professor of Law,
University of North Carolina School of Law
- David LaMotte, former Program Associate for Peace, North Carolina Council of Churches
- David Biesack, NC Stop Torture Now
- Christina Cowger, Coordinator, NC Stop Torture Now
- Steven Edelstein, NC Stop Torture Now
- Josh McIntyre, NC Stop Torture Now
- Margaret Misch, NC Stop Torture Now
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