The Torture Papers
The Road to Abu Ghraib

Documents US Government attempts to justify torture techniques and coercive interrogation practices in ongoing hostilities.

Karen J. Greenberg (Edited by), Joshua L. Dratel (Edited by), Anthony Lewis (Introduction by)

9780521853248, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 January 2005

1284 pages
28.5 x 21 x 7 cm, 2.34 kg

' … most of the legal opinions and policy papers drawn up in the respective departments of the US administration … are systematically and chronologically reproduced … The editors Karen Greenberg and Joshua Dratel have done excellent work by bringing these revealing memoranda and reports together in a systematic manner … The Torture Papers will continue to serve as a double-faced testimony. They show that The Road to Abu Ghraib is a dramatic aberration. The papers also show that the critical role of the media, human rights organizations and professional associations of lawyers and judges is crucial for upholding the rule of law.' Netherlands International Law Review

The Torture Papers document the so-called 'torture memos' and reports which US government officials wrote to prepare the way for, and to document, coercive interrogation and torture in Afghanistan, Guantanamo, and Abu Ghraib. These documents present for the first time a compilation of materials that prior to publication have existed only piecemeal in the public domain. The Bush Administration, concerned about the legality of harsh interrogation techniques, understood the need to establish a legally viable argument to justify such procedures. The memos and reports document the systematic attempt of the US Government to prepare the way for torture techniques and coercive interrogation practices, forbidden under international law, with the express intent of evading legal punishment in the aftermath of any discovery of these practices and policies.

1. Introduction Anthony Lewis
2. From fear to torture Karen J. Greenberg
3. The legal narrative Joshua L. Dratel
4. Timeline
5. Missing documents
6. Biographical sketches
7. Memoranda.

Subject Areas: International humanitarian law [LBBS], International human rights law [LBBR], International law [LB], International relations [JPS], Politics & government [JP]