Roberts Impedes Justice

On March 1st, 2005 Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), ranking democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called for an investigation into accusations of torture, abuse, and improper detention by CIA officials in the treatment of terrorism suspect, the New York Times reports.

Sen. Rockefeller’s attempt to raise the standards for  transparency and accountability, ideals central to a functioning democracy, deserves praise.

Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), the Chairman of the Committee, is blocking Sen. Rockefeller’s request. An aide to Sen. Roberts said the senator “did not believe that a formal inquiry was warranted,” in part because the CIA is conducting its own investigations. But CIA Director Porter Goss, testifying before Congress last month, said that he did not know when the reviews would be completed. And it’s not certain the Senate panel will have access to the final investigation reports.

According to government officials, incidents of prisoner abuse being reviewed by the CIA's Inspector General date from 2002 and involve at least three deaths of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Senator Roberts’ decision to ignore these serious accusations is troubling and comes at a time when America’s moral authority abroad is being questioned.

Citizens for Global Solutions is calling on Senator Roberts and all members of Congress to air publicly all matters relating to the torture and abuse of detainees. Our standing as a world leader in promoting and respecting human rights is seriously undermined by anything less than full and complete disclosure.

+ CONTACT SENATOR ROBERTS