100 Days Checklist
Counter terror with justice: A 17 point checklist for President Barack Obama
Government responses to the attacks in the US on 11 September 2001 and in other countries since then have undermined the framework of human rights.
Much of this assault on human rights has been the result of policies and practices authorized and justified by the US executive, led by President George W. Bush.
Barack Obama, as the new US President, had the authority to undo some of the damage.
Amnesty International issued a 17 points checklist against which to assess the progress made towards such goal in the new administration’s first 100 days.
We called on him to:
Close Guantánamo and end illegal detention
Please place your pointer over each checkbox to see the specific challenges in the checklist
Eradicate torture and other ill-treatment
9 Progress - Issue an executive order that the USA will not, under any circumstances, resort to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as defined under international law. 10 No action taken - Announce that the administration will not use any information obtained under torture or other ill-treatment in any proceedings, except against an alleged perpetrator of the abuse. 11 No action taken - Commit to work with Congress to withdraw all reservations and limiting understandings relating to torture and other ill-treatment attached to the USA's ratification of human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture. 12 Progress - Order the declassification of all legal opinions and other documents authorizing or approving interrogation techniques and detention conditions that discuss whether the techniques or conditions are consistent with the national or international prohibition of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.Please place your pointer over each checkbox to see the specific challenges in the checklist
End impunity
13 No action taken - Ensure that criminal investigations into the programmes of rendition and secret detention operated by or on behalf of the US authorities are initiated. 14 No action taken - Reject impunity for crimes under international law such as torture and other ill-treatment of detainees, and enforced disappearance. 15 No action taken - Ensure that an independent commission of inquiry is established into all aspects of the USA’s detention and interrogation practices in the “war on terror”. 16 No action taken - Make known the name, nationality, present whereabouts, status and circumstances of detention of all those who are or have been detained as part of the programmes of rendition and secret detention. 17 No action taken - Announce that the US administration will work to ensure that victims of human rights violations for which the US authorities may be responsible will have meaningful access to redress and remedy.Please place your pointer over each checkbox to see the specific challenges in the checklist
The Report
Check our report of the 100 days Mixed Messages: Counter Terror and Human Rights – President Obama’s First 100 daysThe 100 Days Checklist
Counter Terror With Justice Checklist: Assessing President Obama’s first 100 Days.Read more...
See all documents produced by Amnesty International during the first 100 days of Obama
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