After September 11, 2001, U.S. officials authorized the cruel treatment and torture of prisoners held in Afghanistan, Iraq, Guantanamo, and the CIA's secret prisons overseas.

This database documents the U.S. government's official experiment with torture. At present, the database contains well over 100,000 pages of government documents obtained primarily through Freedom of Information Act litigation and requests filed by the ACLU, and through litigation of Salim v. Mitchell, a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of the survivors and the family of a dead victim of the CIA torture program. To learn more about the database, please read the About and Search Help pages. If you're a developer, you can also access this data through our API.

Search Result (6709)

RelevanceDateRelease Date
Nov. 27, 2003 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4028
International Herald Tribune article by Johan Steyn entitled "Guantanamo: A Monstrous Failure of Justice" that is a report on a speech Lord Steyn gave at the 27th F.A. Mann Lecture. Lord Steyn condemns US treatment of detainees at Guantanamo.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
George W. Bush
Dec. 10, 2003 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4029
Email from Robert Harris to Nina E. Schou, Gilda M. Brancado, Francis M. Gaffney, Katherine M. Gorove, JoAnn Dolan and Samuel M. Witten forwarding a letter from Kofi Annan on behalf of the Uighur community about the oppression of the Uighur ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
Nina E. Schou | Gilda M. Brancado | Francis M. Gaffney | Katherine M. Gorove | JoAnn J. Dolan | Samuel M. Witten
Robert K. Harris, Nina E Schou, Gilda M. Brancato, Francis M. Gaffney, Katherine M. Gorove, JoAnn J. Dolan, Samuel M. Witten
Feb. 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4030
Email from JoAnn Dolan re: DOD News: Secretary Rumsfeld Remarks to Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. There is an attachment not included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan, Donald H. Rumsfeld
Feb. 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4031
Email from JoAnn Dolan to Shahnaz Gheibi re: DOD News Briefing on Detainee Operations at Guantanamo Bay with an attachment not included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Shahnaz Gheibi
JoAnn J. Dolan, Shahnaz Gheibi
Feb. 20, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4032
Email from JoAnn Dolan re: Guantanamo Detainees and Other War Crimes Issues; no content (no attachment).
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Shahnaz Gheibi
JoAnn J. Dolan, Shahnaz Gheibi
Feb. 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4033
DOS Press Release re: Guantanamo Detainees and Other War Crimes Issues. Remarks by Ambassador Pierre-Richard Prosper's to the Foreign Press Center.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Pierre-Richard Prosper
Pierre-Richard Prosper
Apr. 19, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4034
Emails between Gilda Brancato, Ronald W. Miller, Jonathan M. Crock, JoAnn Dolan, Sarah E. Prosser, Waldo W. Brooks, Edward R. Cummings, Robert K. Harris, Katherine M. Gorove and Michael G. Kozak with drafts on letters concerning Guantanamo ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Gilda M. Brancado
Ronald W. Miller | Jonathan M. Crock | JoAnn J. Dolan | Sarah E. Prosser | Waldo W. Brooks | Edward R. Cummings | Robert K. Harris | Katherine M. Gorove | Michael G. Kozak
Gilda M. Brancato, Ronald W. Miller, Jonathan M. Crock, JoAnn J. Dolan, Sarah E. Prosser, Waldo W. Brooks , Edward R. Cummings, Robert K. Harris, Katherine M. Gorove, Michael G. Kozak
Apr. 19, 2004 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4035
United Nations Report re: Preserving Civil Liberties and Fighting Terrorism Efficiently: Is It Possible?
June 16, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4036
Email indicates that a document regarding a "torture notional statement" is attached. [Document is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
JoAnn J. Dolan | Todd F. Buchwald | James H. Thessin | Samuel M. Witten | Edward R. Cummings
Shahnaz Gheibi, Robert K. Harris, JoAnn J. Dolan, Samuel M. Witten, Edward R. Cummings, Sharon E. Ahmad
June 16, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4037
Email indicates that a document regarding a "torture notional statement" is attached. [Document is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
James H. Thessin | Todd F. Buchwald | Edward R. Cummings | JoAnn J. Dolan | Katherine M. Gorove
Shahnaz Gheibi, Robert K. Harris, James H. Thessin, Todd F. Buchwald, Edward R. Cummings, JoAnn J. Dolan, Katherine M. Gorove
June 21, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4038
Icon and email indicate that a file titled "state comments on torture day statement" is attached.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Katherine M. Gorove
JoAnn J. Dolan | Edward R. Cummings | Michael G. Kozak
Shahnaz Gheibi, Katherine M. Gorove, JoAnn J. Dolan, Edward R. Cummings, Michael G. Kozak, Sharon E. Ahmad, John B. Bellinger, III
June 24, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 4039
Email includes a pressing briefing question about the Uyghur detainees being held in Guantanamo, Mr. Boucher is asked whether the U.S. has decided to not send the Uyghur detainees back to China.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan, Richard A. Boucher, Sharon E. Ahmad
July 08, 2004 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4040
Press release from Sweden's Ministry for Foreign Affairs announcing the release of a Swedish citizen who had been held at Guantanamo for over two years.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Sharon E. Ahmad
July 16, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4041
No relevant text.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Katherine M. Gorove | Andre Surena
Shahnaz Gheibi, JoAnn J. Dolan, Katherine M. Gorove, Andre M. Surena, Sharon E. Ahmad
Apr. 01, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4042
Statement of Andre Surena to the annual meeting of the American Society of International Law, March 31-April 3, 2004. Statement discusses the status/classification of detainees at Guantanamo, whether the detainees should be classified as POWs, ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Interview (Statement)
Andre Surena
Andre M. Surena, Sharon E. Ahmad
Aug. 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4043
Email forward of a Radio Free Asia article, in which Colin L. Powell tells RFA that the Uyghur detainees being held in Guantanamo will not be sent back to China. The article discusses allegations that the Uyghur detainees were abused/mistreated ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
William Howard Taft, IV
JoAnn J. Dolan, William Howard Taft, IV, Colin L. Powell, Sharon E. Ahmad
Oct. 02, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4044
Emails discuss a rewrite of a statement on torture. [Document is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Ashley S. Deeks
Edward R. Cummings | JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin
Ashley S. Deeks, Shahnaz Gheibi, Edward R. Cummings, JoAnn J. Dolan, Joshua L. Dorosin, Katherine M. Gorove, Heather Troutman , Sharon E. Ahmad, Rhonda H. Shore
Sept. 27, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4045
No relevant text. [No documents included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
William Howard Taft, IV | Joshua L. Dorosin
Sharon E. Ahmad, JoAnn J. Dolan, William Howard Taft, IV, Joshua L. Dorosin
Nov. 04, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4046
Emails discuss an OSCE meeting and the concerns of various human rights organizations over alleged torture and abuse of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. The original email has a report attached, which briefly discusses the death ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Francis M. Gaffney
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan, Francis M. Gaffney, Sharon E. Ahmad, George W. Bush
John Walker Lindh, Dilawar, Habibullah
Stress positions
Nov. 04, 2003 | ACLU-RDI 4047
Email mentions an attached report, entitled "Torture and inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Selected OSCE Participating States." [Document is not included].
Dec. 11, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4048
Emails discuss pleas from human rights groups, like Amnesty International, urging the U.S. to not return Uyghur detainees back to China. The detainees are currently being held in Guantanamo Bay, there is fear that if they are returned the Uyghurs ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Nina E. Schou
Robert K. Harris | JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin | Todd F. Buchwald | Samuel M. Witten | Gilda M. Brancado
Nina E Schou, Robert K. Harris, JoAnn J. Dolan, Joshua L. Dorosin, Todd F. Buchwald, Samuel M. Witten, Gilda M. Brancato, Ronald W. Miller, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Lorne Craner, Sharon E. Ahmad
Aug. 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4049
Emails discuss a Radio Free Asia article reporting that the U.S. will not send Uyghur detainees, currently detained in Guantanamo Bay, back to China. Article is attached to message.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Yvette M. Wong
JoAnn J. Dolan
Colin L. Powell, Sharon E. Ahmad, Yvette M. Wong, JoAnn J. Dolan, Christopher N. Camponovo, Ronald W. Miller, Kenneth N. Bailes
Aug. 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4050
This is a series of forwarded emails of a news article from Radio Free Asia (RFA) entitled "Powell Says U.S. Won't Send Uyghurs Back to China." Messages between recipients have been redacted. The comments of the mail recipients is redacted.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert X. Goldberg
JoAnn J. Dolan | Ronald W. Miller | Christopher N. Camponovo
Colin L. Powell, JoAnn J. Dolan, Ronald W. Miller, Christopher N. Camponovo, Kenneth N. Bailes
Sept. 24, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4051
An email discussing "SR responses."
Dec. 30, 2004
Email, Letter
JoAnn J. Dolan
Sarah E. Prosser
JoAnn J. Dolan, Sarah E. Prosser, Robert K. Harris, Sharon E. Ahmad, Patrick Philbin
July 12, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4052
No relevant text.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Edward R. Cummings
Joshua L. Dorosin | JoAnn J. Dolan | Waldo W. Brooks | Todd F. Buchwald | Ronald J. Bettauer
Edward R. Cummings, Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Waldo W. Brooks , Todd F. Buchwald, Harry R. Melone, Ronald J. Bettauer
May 29, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 4053
Emails discuss and include John Yoo's Wall Street Journal op-ed entitled "Terrorists Have No Geneva Rights."
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
John C. Yoo, David P. Stewart, JoAnn J. Dolan, Harry R. Melone, George W. Bush
May 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4054
Statement on International Humanitarian Law and Respect for Human Rights by Douglas Davidson. His statement condemns the allegations of abuse at Abu Ghraib and states that the allegations will be investigated and that offenders will be punished ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Interview (Statement)
Douglas Davidson
Douglas Davidson, Harry R. Melone, Donald H. Rumsfeld, Mark Traecey Patrick Kimmitt, Geoffrey D. Miller, George W. Bush
May 16, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4055
Emails discuss a news article and a Meet the Press interview. The original email states "Newsweek reports that they have obtained a series of OLC memos from the fall of 2001 forward, quotes a State Department lawyer as saying "we were horrified" ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan | Edward R. Cummings | Todd F. Buchwald | James H. Thessin
JoAnn J. Dolan, Edward R. Cummings, Todd F. Buchwald, James H. Thessin, Alberto R. Gonzales, Colin L. Powell, William Howard Taft, IV, John C. Yoo
May 15, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 4056
Email's subject reads Interrogation Rules of Engagement. [Includes a photograph/text that is indecipherable].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan
May 05, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4057
Email includes a link of a military report, http://www.nprorg/iraq/2004/prison_abuse_report.pdf, which is the Article 15-6 Investigation of the 800th Military Police Brigade.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Joan M. Sherer
Joan Sherer
Mar. 04, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4058
Email refers to an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights brief. [Brief is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Nina E. Schou
JoAnn J. Dolan, Nina E Schou, Harry R. Melone
Mar. 04, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4059
Email refers to an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reply brief. [Brief is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Nina E. Schou
JoAnn J. Dolan, Nina E Schou, Harry R. Melone
July 15, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4060
DOS Cover Sheet for a petition from Ambassador Roger F. Noriega to Executive Secretary of the OAS, Santiago Canton. [Petition not incuded].
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Roger F. Noriega
Santiago Canton
Roger F. Noriega, Harry R. Melone
Oct. 18, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4061
Email refers to a brief filed by the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States. [Brief is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan, Harry R. Melone
Apr. 30, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4062
Emails discuss a Reuters article that reports a former head of the Guantanamo Bay jail was sent to U.S. operated prisons in Iraq in order to ensure proper prison conditions.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Geoffrey D. Miller, Mark Traecey Patrick Kimmitt, JoAnn J. Dolan, George W. Bush, William J. Gehron
Stress positions, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual, Other
May 09, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4063
Emails include an Associated Press article that reports on allegations of abuse in Iraq. The article includes accounts of abuse by released detainees, allegations included dog attacks, dietary manipulation and extended periods of hoodings.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Theresa K. Mitchell | JoAnn J. Dolan | Todd F. Buchwald | Harold L. Ingram
Janis Leigh Karpinski, JoAnn J. Dolan, Todd F. Buchwald, Harold L. Ingram, Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Peter G. Schmeelk , Rose M. Likins, Robin H. Sakoda, William J. Gehron
Rahad Naif, Hassan Naif, Saad Naif, Ra'id Mohammed Hassan
Use of electricity, Stress positions, Cramped confinement, Use of phobias, Sleep deprivation, Dietary manipulation, Environmental manipulation, Temperature, Hooding/Goggling, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual, Other
May 11, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4064
Emails discuss reports that the International Committee of the Red Cross is encouraging delegations to present a resolution on human rights violations of Iraqi prisoners of war U.S. forces.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
David B. Sullivan
Todd F. Buchwald | Waldo W. Brooks | Katherine M. Gorove | Mary Catherine Malin
David B. Sullivan , Catherine Mary Malin, Todd F. Buchwald, Waldo W. Brooks , Katherine M. Gorove, Daniel W. Cento, Earl M. Irving, Joaquin E. Ferrao, Wendy R. Sneff, Leo C. DiBenigno, Darlyce M. Eley
May 24, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4065
Emails include a New York Times article entitled "U.S. Disputed Protected Status of Iraq Inmates." The article discusses the American government's adamant position that many detainees in Iraq are not entitled to the full protections of the Geneva ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
Edward R. Cummings
Janis Leigh Karpinski, Robert K. Harris, Edward R. Cummings, Thomas Malionek, Lance L. Smith, Darlyce M. Eley, William J. Gehron, Marc Warren
Physical assault, General, Stress positions, Isolation, Nudity
June 24, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4066
Email refers to an attachment, which is a draft guidance on L memos as reported in a Washington Post report. Ms. Dolan's comments are: "Attached for input/clearance is draft guidance on L memos as reported in today's Washington Post report. We ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Edward R. Cummings | Todd F. Buchwald | James H. Thessin | Katherine M. Gorove | William Howard Taft, IV | Ronald W. Miller | Jonathan M. Crock
Edward R. Cummings, Todd F. Buchwald, James H. Thessin, Katherine M. Gorove, William Howard Taft, IV, Ronald W. Miller, Jonathan M. Crock
June 24, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4067
Emails discuss and include a cable from the U.K. Bar Association Chair and others expressing their opinion on interrogation methods utilized by the U.S. military in Iraq and Guantanamo. The U.K. Bar Association Chair stated that the "extreme ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Edward R. Cummings | Todd F. Buchwald | Joshua L. Dorosin | James H. Thessin
Thomas Malionek, William J. Gehron, JoAnn J. Dolan, Edward R. Cummings, Todd F. Buchwald, Joshua L. Dorosin, James H. Thessin, Michael J. Dennis
Use of phobias, Sleep deprivation, Isolation, Environmental manipulation, Hooding/Goggling, Nudity, Forced grooming, Other Humiliation
June 25, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4068
Emails refer to the release of Russian Guantanamo detainees released by Russian Procuracy. A document is attached to the emails. [Document is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
William J. Gehron, JoAnn J. Dolan, Katherine M. Gorove, Christopher N. Camponovo, Margaret J. Pollack, Edward R. Cummings, Robert K. Harris, Todd F. Buchwald, William Howard Taft, IV, Ronald W. Miller, Michael K. Morrow, Allen S. Greenberg
July 06, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4069
Emails discuss and include an Associated Press article that includes a BBC interview by Brigadier General Janis L. Karpinski, wherein she states she met a man at Abu Ghraib who told her he was Israeli and that he was conducting interrogations. ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Jonathan B. Schwartz
Todd F. Buchwald | Joshua L. Dorosin | JoAnn J. Dolan
Janis Leigh Karpinski, Darlyce M. Eley, Jonathan B. Schwartz, Todd F. Buchwald, Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Beverly S. Holman, Jennifer L. Viau, Donald H. Rumsfeld, William J. Gehron
June 07, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4070

Emails discuss and include a Wall Street Journal article entitled "Pentagon Report Set Framework for Use of Torture: Security or Legal Factors Could Trump Restrictions, Memo to Rumsfeld Argued." The article discusses a classified ...

Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
Edward R. Cummings | Samuel M. Witten | Tom Malionek | Jonathan B. Schwartz
Donald H. Rumsfeld, George W. Bush, James T. Hill, Condoleeza Rice, Patrick Leahy, William J. Haynes, II, Thomas Malionek, William J. Gehron, Robert K. Harris, Edward R. Cummings, Samuel M. Witten, Michael G. Kozak, James H. Thessin, Jonathan B. Schwartz, William Howard Taft, IV, Robert E. Dalton, Katherine M. Gorove, Lois L. Allder, Daphne W. Cook, Darlyce M. Eley
Threat, Family/others, Stress positions, Sleep deprivation, Dietary manipulation, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Sexual, Religious
Dec. 29, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4071
Letter from Margaret P. Grafeld, DOS to Amrit Singh, ACLU re: the ACLU's FOIA Request. The letter states that the document production requested is being complied with in some parts and denied or withheld in part.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter, Judicial
Margaret P. Grafeld
Margaret P. Grafeld
July 27, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4072
Refers to "PCC Briefing Memo" [Document not included]. No relevant text.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Jonathan M. Crock
JoAnn J. Dolan
Jonathan M. Crock, JoAnn J. Dolan, Charles L. Daris
May 06, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4073
No relevant text.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Joshua L. Dorosin
Edward R. Cummings | JoAnn J. Dolan
Joshua L. Dorosin, Edward R. Cummings, Charles L. Daris, JoAnn J. Dolan
May 06, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4074
No relevant text.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Ronald W. Miller
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan, Ronald W. Miller, Charles L. Daris
Mar. 27, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4075
Emails refer to and briefly discuss a document being reviewed by Nick Rostow for possible wider circulation and clearance.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Waldo W. Brooks
Jonathan B. Schwartz | James H. Thessin | Ronald J. Bettauer | JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin | David S. Newman
Nicholas Rostow, Waldo W. Brooks , Jonathan B. Schwartz, James H. Thessin, Ronald J. Bettauer, Todd F. Buchwald, JoAnn J. Dolan, Joshua L. Dorosin, David P. Stewart, Todd F. Buchwald, David B. Sullivan , D. Stephen Mathias, David S. Newman , Corin R. Stone, Susan R. Benda , Wynne M. Teel , D. Stephen Mathias
Mar. 26, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4076
Emails discuss revisions to a document(s). No relevant text. [Document not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Charles L. Daris, Rhonda H. Shore, JoAnn J. Dolan, Gregory W. Sullivan, Edward R. Cummings
Mar. 25, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4077
Emails discuss revisions made to talking points and an interview.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Ronald W. Miller
JoAnn J. Dolan
Ronald W. Miller, JoAnn J. Dolan, James H. Thessin, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Charles L. Daris, Edward R. Cummings