Human Rights Organization Highlights Abuses as U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Harsh Interrogation Techniques
WASHINGTON , June 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will bring its national tour of a life-size Guantanamo prison cell replica to Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 25 ; activists will gather at noon east of the Washington Monument on the National Mall to experience the cell and push the Bush administration to shut down Guantanamo.
Larry Cox , AIUSA's executive director, will kick off the event at which many participants will be dressed in Guantanamo-style orange jumpsuits and holding signs. Orlando Tizon , assistant director of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International, is also scheduled to speak. Visitors will be encouraged to experience the interactive cell on display at the event.
The cell replica visits the nation's capital as a U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee is expected to hear testimony on harsh interrogation techniques from Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff David Addington and former U.S. Justice Department lawyer John Yoo . This hearing is slated for Thursday, June 26 , the World Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
In addition, Amnesty International is releasing two relevant reports: an evaluation of abuses related to Tunisia's counterterrorism policies and a review of Europe's role in the Central Intelligence Agency's secret renditions program, this week.
The cell replica will be on exhibit beginning Wednesday, June 25 , through Sunday, June 29 . Visitors may tour the cell and record a 30-second reaction video that will be posted on youtube.com and AIUSA's tearitdown.org, as well as sign the global petition to shut Guantanamo down. Previous stops include Miami , Philadelphia and Portland, ME .
AIUSA will also host a concert on Wednesday, June 25 , from 6-10 p.m. east of the Washington Monument. Local musicians and activists will call for the closure of the U.S.-controlled detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba . All events are free and open to the public.
EVENT: Guantanamo Cell Replica Washington DC Launch
DATE: Wednesday, June 25
TIME: Noon to 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: East of the Washington Monument on the National Mall
Intersection of 15th Street and Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Several significant events surrounding policy on torture and the war on terror will take place June 23 - 27 , primarily in Washington, DC . These events include United Nations and U.S. Senate and House hearings on torture. Amnesty International will host the flagship stop of the nationwide Guantanamo cell tour in Washington, DC ; the organization also will release two relevant reports.
Monday, June 23
-- Fifth Session of the United Nations Committee against Torture, Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Geneva
-- Amnesty International releases report: In the Name of Security: Routine Abuses in Tunisia
Tuesday, June 24
-- Amnesty International releases report: State of Denial: Europe's Role in Rendition and Secret Detention
Wednesday, June 25
-- Amnesty International launches its Guantanamo cell replica in Washington, DC at 12:00 p.m. on the National Mall near the Washington Monument. The cell is open to the public until Sunday, June 29 .
-- Amnesty International hosts an evening concert featuring local bands at cell replica from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 26
-- Amnesty International events around the globe marking World Day in Support of Victims of Torture including in Belgium , Uruguay , Spain , Philippines and Ireland .
-- U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties hearing on the Bush administration's interrogation rules, with testimony from recently subpoenaed David Addington , Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, and former U.S. Justice Department lawyer John Yoo .
Amnesty International USA experts will be available to provide analysis on hearings and other developments, as well as interviews and multi-media content related to the Guantanamo cell replica.
SOURCE Amnesty International
