Salem-News.com Torture articles Page 1

Why Gitmo Was Not Closed from the Get-Go

Obama missed an opportunity to lay the blame for the existence of the Guantanamo prison squarely at the feet of President George W. Bush.

(CHICAGO) - On May 23, 2013, our still young, but now greying, President Obama delivered what he hoped would be “a change speech”.

The speech was delivered to National Defense University, at Fort McNair in Washington DC.

Interview with Code-Pink founder, Medea Benjamin After She `Heckled` Obama

On at least three occasions, Benjamin engaged the president, ultimately forcing him off script.

(WASHINGTON DC Op-Ed News) - Code-Pink founder, Medea Benjamin, took President Barack Obama head-on during a major foreign policy speech the president was giving Thursday on drone policy and related issues.

Benjamin demanded that the president close the Guantanamo Bay prison immediately.

Activist Violently Arrested For Filming At Oregon Rodeo

SHARK’S video of horse tripping at the 2012 Big Loop Rodeo inspired Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton to introduce a horse-tripping ban.

(JORDAN VALLEY, OR) - Animal Rights volunteer Adam Fahnestock was monitoring the Big Loop Rodeo Saturday when rodeo personnel and a deputy approached him.

After a very brief conversation, the deputy suddenly grabbed Fahnestock and threw him violently to the ground where rodeo personnel then also set upon him.

Arrests at Federal Courthouse in NYC as Hunger Strike at Guantanamo Widens

Witness Against Torture has been holding vigils and rallies throughout the country, calling the White House and US military, and sending letters to the detained men.

(NEW YORK CITY) - 12 concerned citizens with Witness Against Torture were arrested at a “die-in” on the steps of the Manhattan Federal Courthouse.

It was a response to reports that 84 men at Guantanamo Bay — are hunger striking to protest their indefinite detention.

F1 and History of Western Complicity in Bahrain Torture

Ian Henderson died a few days ago, finally.

(LONDON) - As FI begins in Bahrain, in an attempt to normalise the al-Khalifa regime, it is worth remembering the Western complicity in torture and repression in Bahrain goes back a long way.

The Butcher of Bahrain, Ian Henderson, died on Sunday 14th April 2013, having escaped justice.

Lawyer: Israel Pressuring Issawi to End Hunger Strike

Israel has also offered to exile him to the Gaza Strip.

(RAMALLAH Ma'an) - Intensive efforts are being made by Israel to convince hunger-striking prisoner Samer Issawi to end his protest action, a lawyer said Tuesday.

Israeli negotiators have been visiting Issawi at Kaplan Medical Center since Friday and pressuring him to accept proposals to end his hunger strike...

Hope is a Flower in the Desert

Young Bob Richardson's story is one of survival. Too much abuse led to the killing of his father.

(BEL AIR, Md.) - On Jan 9 2012, Bob Richardson allegedly killed his father, Robert Richardson, Jr. (58). He was apprehended by police the next day.

We believe that Bob was driven to desperation by years of abuse and neglect at the hands of his father, some of which may have been witnessed by friends and family.

End the Torture Chambers

Saddam's torture chambers reopened under new management, U.S. management.--Edward Kennedy

(MANAMA, Bahrain) - I grew up in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, an American steel town on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. The steelworkers in our town came from all over the world, but mostly from Eastern Europe.

Though I grew up among dozens of accents, there was never a thought that those differences made anyone better or worse.

US Activists Respond to GTMO Hunger Strikes

166 men remain imprisoned at Guantanamo. 86 have been cleared for release.

(WASHINGTON DC) - On Sunday, March 24 human rights activists throughout the United States began a seven day fast and series of actions in solidarity with the men currently on hunger strike at the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Dozens of men, according to detainee lawyers, are entering their seventh week of a hunger strike to protest their indefinite detention and a new wave of alleged abuses.

Ethiopian Annihilation of the Ogaden People

Besieged, abused, ignored...

(LONDON) - In the harsh Ogaden region of Ethiopia, impoverished ethnic Somali people are being murdered and tortured, raped, persecuted and displaced by government paramilitary forces.

Illegal actions are carried out with the knowledge and tacit support of donor countries, seemingly content to turn a blind eye to war crimes...