Bush Criminals' Top 10 Torture Techniques

"From insects to waterboarding: 10 'torture' techniques blessed by Bush"

LINK (1/1): http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6111109.ece

READ (1/13): An August 2002 memo to CIA acting general counsel John Rizzo by Jay S. Bybee of the U.S. Department of Justice approved 10 methods of torture for use on suspected terrorist Abu Zubaydah.

READ (2/13): These 10 methods of torture are the following: (l) "attention grasp"; (2) "walling"; (3) "facial hold"; (4) "facial slap (insult slap)"; (5) "cramped confinement"; (6) "wall standing"; (7) "stress positions"; (8) "sleep deprivation"; (9) "insects placed in a confinement box"; and (10) "the waterboard".

READ (3/13): The Bush Department of Justice and CIA agreed "these techniques (would) be used in some sort of escalating fashion, culminating with the waterboard, though not necessarily ending with this technique."

READ (4/13): 1. Attention grasp: "The attention grasp consists of grasping the individual with both hands, one hand on each side of the collar opening, in a controlled and quick motion. In the same motion as the grasp, the individual is drawn toward the interrogator."

READ (5/13): 2. Walling: "For walling, a flexible false wall will be constructed. The individual is placed with his heels touching the wall. The interrogator pulls the individual forward and then quickly and firmly pushes the individual into the wall. (...) During this motion, the head and neck are supported with a rolled hood or towel (and) the individual is allowed to rebound from the flexible wall."

READ (6/13): 3. Facial hold: "The facial hold is used to hold the head immobile. One open palm is placed on either side of the individual's face. The fingertips are kept well away from the individual's eyes."

READ (7/13): 4. Facial slap: "With the facial slap or insult slap, the interrogator slaps the individual's face with fingers slightly spread. The hand makes contact with the area directly between the tip of the individual's chin and the bottom of the corresponding earlobe. The interrogator invades the individual's personal space. The goal of the facial slap is not to inflict physical pain that is severe or lasting. Instead, the purpose of the facial slap is to induce shock, surprise, and/or humiliation."

NOTE (1/1): The Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War signed in Geneva on August 12, 1949 states in Part I (General provisions), ARTICLE 3 that "In the case of armed conflict not of an international character (i.e. not between "nations" ... ) each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions: (1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed ' hors de combat ' by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria. To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons: (a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; (b) taking of hostages; (c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment."

READ (8/13): 5. Cramped confinement: "Cramped confinement involves the placement of the individual in a confined space, the dimensions of which restrict the individual's movement. The confined space is usually dark. The duration of confinement varies based upon the size of the container. For the larger confined space, the individual can stand up or sit down; the smaller space is large enough for the subject to sit down. Confinement in the larger space can last up to eighteen hours; for the smaller space, confinement lasts for no more than two hours."

READ (9/13): 6. Wall standing: "Wall standing is used to induce muscle fatigue. The individual stands about four to five feet from a wall, with his feet spread approximately to shoulder width. His arms are stretched out in front of him, with his fingers resting on the wall. His fingers support all of his body weight. The individual is not permitted to move or reposition his hands or feel."

READ (10/13): 7. Stress positions: "(These) are designed to produce the physical discomfort associated with muscle fatigue. Two particular stress positions are likely to be used on Zubaydah: (1) sitting on the floor with legs extended straight out in front of him with his hands raised above his head; and (2) kneeling on the floor while leaning back at a 45 degree angle."

READ (11/13): 8. Sleep deprivation: "You have indicated that your purpose in using this technique is to reduce the individual's ability to think on his feet and, through the discomfort associated with lack of sleep to motivate him to cooperate. The effect of such sleep deprivation will generally remit after one or two nights of uninterrupted sleep. You have informed us that your research has revealed that, in rare instances, some individuals who are already predisposed to psychological problems may experience abnormal reactions to sleep deprivation. (...) You have orally informed us that you would not deprive Zubaydah of sleep for more than eleven days at a time and that you have previously kept him awake for 72 hours, from which no mental or physical harm resulted."

READ (12/13): 9. Confinement with insects: "You would like to place Zubaydah in a cramped confinement box with an insect. You have informed us that he appears to have a fear of insects. In particular, you would like to tell Zubaydah that you intend to place a stinging insect into the box with him, You would, however, place a harmless insect in the box."

READ (13/13): 10. Waterboarding: "(In) this procedure, the individual is bound securely to an inclined bench, which is approximately four feet by seven feet. The individual's feet are generally elevated. A cloth is placed over the forehead and eyes. Water is then applied to the cloth in a controlled manner. As this is done, the cloth is lowered until it covers both the nose and mouth. Once the cloth is saturated and completely covers the mouth and nose, air flow is slightly restricted for 20 to 40 seconds due to the presence of the cloth. This causes an increase in carbon dioxide level in the individual's blood. This increase in the carbon dioxide level stimulates increased effort to breathe. This effort plus the cloth produces the perception of suffocation and incipient panic, i.e., the perception of drowning. The individual does not breathe any water into his lungs. During those 20 to 40 seconds, water is continuously applied from a height of twelve to twenty-four inches. After this period, the cloth is lifted, and the individual is allowed to breathe unimpeded for three or four full breaths. The sensation of drowning is immediately relieved by the removal of the cloth. The procedure may then be repeated. (...) You have orally informed us that this procedure triggers an automatic physiological sensation of drowning that the individual cannot control even though he may be aware that he is in fact not drowning."

LINK (1/1): http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6111109.ece

POINT (1/1): Thousands of Americans are in jail for violating drug laws. George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, et al., belong in jail for violating the Geneva Conventions, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Constitution of the United States (Article VI; Amendment VIII; etc.).