US Senate Report Brings War Practices out of the Shadows and into the Light

Sometimes, American administrations are unusually benevolent. As is the case in many countries, this benevolence applies of course to their own people, their own institutions or military bases abroad and their soldiers and their families. To date, however, the American government has shown less concern for international law and human rights.

Even now, more than a decade after the devastating terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, American politicians still see themselves as being at war. And from George W. Bush, who was president at that time, to current President Barack Obama, no tactics are off limits to the U.S. in this war: black sites, torture, detention without charges or trial, open warfare and drone attacks are just some of the key tactics used.

With this war being fought in the shadows, the U.S. has handed over the sharpest sword it had: its credibility. Thus far, despite all of its promises, neither international law nor human rights have been significant to it. For this reason, the same standards that apply in every other such case must also apply to the case of the United States: The statutory violations must be made public, so that pressure can be applied to those responsible. Only then will those in power think better of behaving the way they have in the past.

Even though much of what was revealed was already known, the U.S. Senate’s report on torture is an important step in the right direction. It brings war practices out of the shadows and into the light, especially since it clearly designates the guilty ones of the Bush era.