The Rev. Mary Higgins and Bishop Gene Robinson write and editorial in the Concord (NH) Monitor, calling for an end of torture.
More work needed to end torture for good
Guantanamo is first step of many
The Rev. Mary Higgins and Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson in the Concord Monitor
Eight years ago the U.S. government transported the first prisoners from Afghanistan to the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
On Jan. 22, 2009, President Obama said that Guantanamo would close its doors by Jan. 22, 2010. Because of complex legal and ethical questions relating to the future status of some Guantanamo detainees, however, the president has since announced that the detention center at Guantanamo will not be closed by this deadline.
Guantanamo is known around the world not only for its seemingly endless detentions without trial but also as a place where the United States lost its way and engaged in torture.
. . .
As the detention center reaches its eighth year this month, we ask others to join with America’s religious community to work to end U.S.-sponsored torture by educating those within our churches, mosques, temples and synagogues. We urge others to join us as we study and then stand up for the end of torture forever.
Amen.