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The UN convention against torture obliges member states to prosecute those who engage in torture. However, since these methods had been authorized during the Bush administration, there is no point in punishing crimes that have already been committed solely in faith and duty to the administration. UN officials say the people who engaged in torture are still responsible regardless of their orders. 

In his first week of office, President Obama banned the use of controversial interrogation methods. The ones portrayed in the four “torture memos” released this past week include:

Waterboarding – creating a sensation of drowning, which could be done several times, allowing for brief moments of breathing in between.

Sleep Deprivation – while standing up, the victim must stay awake or suffer further consequences.

Wallling – slamming the person against a false-wall, hitting the shoulder blades and allowing minor protection for the head.

Insect – exploiting a person’s fear of insects, the person would be locked into a confined space having been told it could sting. This method was planned for but never used.  

These techniques were devised in deception of the US Army field manual, which does not support threats, coercion, or physical harm.  

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