Bush's anti-torture Executive Order authorizes torture

President Bush's Executive Order prohibiting torture does exactly the opposite as White House and Pentagon have a very narrow definition of "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment", human rights groups alleged yesterday.

They also point out that because the order interprets for the United States "Common Article 3" of the Geneva Conventions, only as authorized in the Military Commissions Act, and under the Act detainees can be held incommunicado forever, US authorities can carry on violating the Geneva Conventions with any restrictions.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Executive Order has effectively authorized forced disappearnces and 'Enhance Interrogation Techniques' including water-boarding and other forms of cruel methods that the Bush Administration does not consider as torture. Press Esc