More on the Torture of Padilla
Brian Tamanaha:
Balkinization: We Torture: The horror of this widely reported story is almost lost in accounts that contain an overflow of words. A report by NPR (thanks to Michael Perry on Mirror of Justice) puts it concisely:
According to court papers filed by Padilla's lawyers, for the first two years of his confinement, Padilla was held in total isolation. He heard no voice except his interrogator's. His 9-by-7 foot cell had nothing in it: no window even to the corridor, no clock or watch to orient him in time. Padilla's meals were delivered through a slot in the door. He was either in bright light for days on end or in total darkness. He had no mattress or pillow on his steel pallet; loud noises interrupted his attempts to sleep. Sometimes it was very cold, sometimes hot. He had nothing to read or to look at. Even a mirror was taken away. When he was transported, he was blindfolded and his ears were covered with headphones to screen out all sound. In short, Padilla experienced total sensory deprivation.
During lengthy interrogations, his lawyers allege, Padilla was forced to sit or stand for long periods in stress positions. They say he was hooded and threatened with death. The isolation was so extreme that, according to court papers, even military personnel at the prison expressed great concern about Padilla's mental status....
[...]
Even former Justice Department spokesman Corallo concedes that in hindsight, Padilla [an American citizen] was a bit player.
Padilla is now mentally disturbed. Although the government does not deny the specific claims above, it does deny that he was "mistreated."Our government--including the great Justice Department--has lost its moral compass, to the disgrace of our country.
Impeach George W. Bush. Impeach him now.
