For Immediate Release
President Trump nominated Gina Haspel today to serve as CIA director. Physicians for Human Rights Director of Programs Homer Venters issued the following statement in response:
“The CIA’s post-9/11 torture program was illegal and unethical, stripped people of their most basic rights, and facilitated severe physical and psychological abuse. Gina Haspel played a prominent role in facilitating torture when she ran a CIA black site in Thailand, where detainees in U.S. custody were subjected to brutal torture masquerading as interrogation tactics. We are deeply concerned that President Trump has nominated a willing participant in this dark and shameful chapter of CIA history to lead the institution at a time when the United States’ commitment against torture and to the humane treatment of detainees demands unwavering enforcement.
“PHR calls on the Senate Intelligence Committee to thoroughly examine Haspel’s role in the CIA torture program, including reports that she destroyed video evidence of torture crimes. Haspel’s nomination highlights the need for the Trump Administration to categorically declare it will not tolerate torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment anywhere by anyone.”
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.