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Psychologists Won't Impose Gitmo Ban

Group votes to list interrogation techniques it won't help with

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 20, 2007 8:38 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The American Psychological Association has voted not to ban members from assisting with interrogations at Guantanamo and other military prisons, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Instead, the group approved a measure listing specific procedures members won't help with, including sleep deprivation and water-boarding. "If we remove psychologists from these facilities, people are going to die," said an Army psychologist.

Some psychologists still argue that they shouldn't work at any detention centers where prisoners are held without charges. "We're talking about places where people being interrogated don't have human rights," one ban backer said during the contentious debate over the measure. Another supporter of the moratorium said the fight will go on "as long as it has to."

Jade Lai holds a sign as she listens to speakers at a rally protesting the American Psychological Association participating in military interrogations at Guantanamo Bay in San Francisco, Friday, Aug. 17, 2007. Psychologists will consider a measure banning members of their profession from working with interrogators at U.S. military...
Jade Lai holds a sign as she listens to speakers at a rally protesting the American Psychological Association participating in military interrogations at Guantanamo Bay in San Francisco, Friday, Aug....   (Associated Press)
In this Dec. 6, 2006 file photo reviewed by a US Dept. of Defense official, a shackled detainee is escorted while being transported inside the detention center at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba. An Army officer who played a key role in the enemy combatant hearings at Guantanamo...
In this Dec. 6, 2006 file photo reviewed by a US Dept. of Defense official, a shackled detainee is escorted while being transported inside the detention center at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba....   (Associated Press)
In this Dec. 5, 2006 file photo, reviewed by a U.S. Dept of Defense official, a detainee sits alone inside a fenced area during his daily outside period, at Camp 5 maximum security detention prison, Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba. The Bush administration is nearing a decision...
In this Dec. 5, 2006 file photo, reviewed by a U.S. Dept of Defense official, a detainee sits alone inside a fenced area during his daily outside period, at Camp 5 maximum security detention prison, Guantanamo...   (Associated Press)
A Guantanamo detainee, center, is escorted by U.S. military personnel on the grounds of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba, in this May 15, 2007, file photo reviewed by U.S. Department of Defense Official. The Bush administration is nearing a decision to close the...
A Guantanamo detainee, center, is escorted by U.S. military personnel on the grounds of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba, in this May 15, 2007, file photo reviewed by U.S....   (Associated Press)
Guards keep watch inside a cell block at Camp 5 maximum security facility, at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba, Tuesday, May 15, 2007. About 380 detainees are currently held in Guantanamo Bay, some since 2001. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Guards keep watch inside a cell block at Camp 5 maximum security facility, at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base, Cuba, Tuesday, May 15, 2007. About 380 detainees are currently held in Guantanamo Bay, some...   (Associated Press)
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torture • human rights • prison • Guantanamo Bay • psychology • interrogation • American Psychological Association • sleep deprivation

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