Intervention for the Interactive Dialogue with the
Special Rapporteurs on Torture and on Human Rights and
Counter Terrorism
Item 3
Statement by Mark Storella
Chargé d’Affaires and Head of the Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council 10th Session
Geneva, March 10, 2009
The Government of the United States appreciates the work that the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism have conducted on the important issues within their respective mandates.
As members of the Council are aware, on January 22, 2009, during his second day in office, President Obama issued three Executive Orders, entitled “Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities”; “Ensuring Lawful Interrogations”; and “Review of Detention Policy Options.”
These Orders address many of the topics covered by the Special Rapporteurs in their reports. The Executive Orders, for example, mandate the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility and all CIA detention facilities, as defined by the order. Furthermore, the orders specify that all U.S. agencies shall conduct interrogations of individuals in custody or under the effective control of the United States, in any armed conflict, using only the techniques authorized by or listed in Army Field Manual 2-22.3 on intelligence collection.
In his statement accompanying the signing of the Orders, President Obama pledged that America will confront terrorism “in a manner consistent with our values and ideals.”
We look forward to working with the Special Rapporteurs and the international community to continue to address these important issues.