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
Apr. 02, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3808
Action request for appropriate handling of request by redacted government to interview detainees at Guantanamo
Apr. 29, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3809
The U.S. Mission in Australia received a letter from an attorney purporting to represent a detainee at Guantanamo. The letter states that that "We are greatly concerned that has not been given due process, natural justice and fairness. We believe ...
May 09, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3810
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Request to interview detainees at Guantanamo.
June 26, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3811
State Department Routing and Transmittal Slip cover sheet from Paul Wohlers to Alex, Colonel James A. Whitmore, subject Harty/Whitmore Memorandum Requesting Permission for Team to Visit Detainees on Guantanamo. No attachment.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Paul Wohlers
James A. Whitmore
James A. Whitmore
July 25, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3812
DOS Cover Sheet re: Request to Interview Detainees at Guantanamo
Oct. 18, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3813
DOS Cover Sheet re: Request to Interview Guantanamo Detainees
Oct. 25, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3814
Fax Cover Sheet from Michael Fooks to Joann Dolan re: Wives II
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Michael Fooks
JoAnn J. Dolan
JoAnn J. Dolan, Michael D. Fooks
Aug. 13, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3815
This letter is from a U.S. Ambassador replying to a request on the status of six (6) detainees who were apprehended and currently being held at Guantanamo. The Ambassador does not discuss the individuals specifically, but does address the legal ...
Oct. 21, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3816
The embassy of an unknown country sent a note seeking information about a national who is being detained by the U.S. at Guantanamo. The DOS note written in response to their note states that the DOS is not in a position to respond to inquiries of ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Notes
Harry R. Melone, Ronald W. Miller, Robert A. Bradtke, Eliana Davidson, Ross Hyams, JoAnn J. Dolan, Jonathan Scharfan, Mary Incontro
Jan. 28, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3817
Fax cover letter, regarding a memo to Colonel James A. Whitmore seeking permission for an unidentified team to visit detainees at Guantanamo. [Memo is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Karl Hofmann
James A. Whitmore
James A. Whitmore, Karl W. Hofmann, Harry R. Melone
June 26, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3818
Fax cover letter, regarding a memo to Colonel James A. Whitmore seeking permission for an unidentified team to visit detainees at Guantanamo. [Memo is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Dan B. Smith
James A. Whitmore
Daniel B. Smith, James A. Whitmore, Harry R. Melone
July 28, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3819
This document appears to be a cover sheet for a request by [redacted] to interview detainees at Guantanamo.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Saadia Sarkis, Harry R. Melone, Daniel B. Smith
Oct. 10, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3820
This document appears to be a cover sheet for a request by [redacted] to interview detainees at Guantanamo.
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
JoAnn J. Dolan, Saadia Sarkis, Harry R. Melone, Daniel B. Smith
May 20, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3821
This document appears to be a cover sheet for a request by [redacted] to interview detainees at Guantanamo.
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Saadia Sarkis, Harry R. Melone, Daniel B. Smith
June 02, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3822
This document appears to be a cover sheet for a request by [redacted] to interview detainees at Guantanamo.
Oct. 10, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3823
DOS Fax Cover Sheet, the message description reads: Hoffman-Marriott Memo: Request for Permission for [redacted] team to visit detainees on Guantanamo
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Karl Hofmann
William P. Marriott
Karl W. Hofmann, William P. Marriott, Harry R. Melone, Jonathan L. Withers, II
May 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3824
DOS Cable discussing allegations that the U.S. Army abused prisoners at Guantanamo. An English newspaper, 'Bahrain Tribune,' reported that U.S. prison guards beat an ailing Bahraini detainee, Juma Al-Dossari.
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Ronald E. Neumann
Colin L. Powell
George W. Bush, Colin L. Powell, Ronald E. Neumann, Charles L. Daris, Valerie C. Fowler, William P. Marriott, C. David Welch, Stephen Bondy, Karl W. Hofmann, Harry R. Melone
Juma Mohammed Abdul Latif al Dosari
Physical assault, General
Feb. 19, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3825
DOS Cable discussing allegations that the U.S. Army abused prisoners at Guantanamo. An English newspaper, 'Bahrain Tribune,' reported that U.S. prison guards beat an ailing Bahraini detainee, Juma Al-Dossari.
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Valerie C. Fowler, Karl W. Hofmann, William P. Marriott, Harry R. Melone, Charles L. Daris, Colin L. Powell, George W. Bush, Ronald E. Neumann, C. David Welch, Stephen Bondy
Juma Mohammed Abdul Latif al Dosari
Physical assault, General
Nov. 25, 2003 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3826
This is a fax cover sheet from the Embassy of Australia discussing a press release on military commissions. [The press release is not included].
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Andrew Shearer
Pierre-Richard Prosper
Andrew Shearer, L.R. Lohman, Harry R. Melone, Pierre-Richard Prosper
Mar. 08, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3827
Email refers to a Human Rights Watch report on abuse by U.S. forces at detention facilities in Afghanistan. The report alleges that U.S. forces operating in Afghanistan have arbitrarily detained civilians, used excessive force and mistreated ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
JoAnn J. Dolan | Ed Cummings | Joshua L. Dorosin | Todd F. Buchwald
Robert K. Harris, JoAnn J. Dolan, Edward R. Cummings, Joshua L. Dorosin, Todd F. Buchwald, Monica J. Tillery, George W. Bush
May 06, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3829
DOS Press Release of a CNN Interview of Richard L. Armitage discussing the administration's response to a "detainee scandal."
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
George W. Bush, Richard Lee Armitage, Colin L. Powell, Donald H. Rumsfeld
May 18, 2004 | Legislative | ACLU-RDI 3830
The hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee met on May 18, 2004 to continue their ongoing oversight of American policy toward Iraq. The hearing was held in anticipation of the U.S. handing over sovereignty to the Iraqi government six ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Interview (Transcript)
Richard Green Lugar, Richard Lee Armitage, Paul Wolfowitz, Walter L. Sharp, Frank E. Schmelzer , John Dimitri Negroponte, L. Paul Bremer, Marc Grossman, John P. Abizaid, Ricardo Sanchez, Russell Dana Feingold, Carter F. Ham, Charles Timothy Hagel, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Lincoln Davenport Chafee, Barbara Levy Boxer , Samuel Dale Brownback, Mark Traecey Patrick Kimmitt, Paul Spyros Sarbanes, Christopher John Dodd, George V. Voinovich, Norman Bertram Coleman, Jr., Ben Nelson, David Petraeus, Jon Stevens Corzine
May 19, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3831
Press release discussing, generally, the U.S. government's goal towards disarmament and democracy in Iraq.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
James B. Cunningham
James B. Cunningham, George W. Bush, Frank E. Schmelzer
May 26, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3832
Roundtable interview with Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell. On May 26. 2004, Mr. Powell answered a series of questions from journalists regarding allegations of detainee abuse in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Frank E. Schmelzer , Antonio Taguba, Colin L. Powell, Richard Green Lugar, Tom Lantos, Henry J. Hyde, George W. Bush, Condoleeza Rice, Richard B. Cheney, Donald H. Rumsfeld, John D. Ashcroft
June 16, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 3833
Press release from the ICRC discussing the Geneva Convention's policy on a state's mistreatment of detainees, prisoners of war and internees.
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Frank E. Schmelzer
June 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3834
This DOS memo appears to be talking points for a John Dimitri Negroponte interview with Jim Lehrer on topics, including detainee abuse, detainee policy, and Saddam Hussein.
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
George W. Bush, Frank E. Schmelzer , John Dimitri Negroponte
June 22, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3835
Email discusses and includes a press release of a press briefing with Judge Alberto Gonzales. Judge Gonzales discusses, generally, the war on terror.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Thomas A. Johnson
Ed Cummings | Christopher N. Camponovo
Thomas A. Johnson, Edward R. Cummings, Christopher N. Camponovo, Alberto R. Gonzales, Russell K. LaMotte, Jacob K. Cogan, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Janis Chapman-Gates, Susan P. Suh, Richard Grenell , Monica L. Cummings, Eric L. Owens , Daniel Dell'Orto, Keith B. Alexander, George W. Bush, William J. Haynes, II, Jay S. Bybee, John C. Yoo, Scott McClellan, James T. Hill, Mary Walker, Geoffrey D. Miller, John P. Abizaid, Donald H. Rumsfeld, Newt Minow, Lloyd Cutler
Mohammed al Qahtani, Jose Padilla, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
Aug. 13, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 3836
Radio Free Asia article about twenty-two Chinese-origin ethnic Uyghur detainees (they are a minority Muslim population in China) being held in Guantanamo. The article discusses allegations that the Uyghur detainees were abused/mistreated by a ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Colin L. Powell
Aug. 27, 2004 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 3837
Address from Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to the Biennial Conference of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in Berlin, Germany on August 27, 2004. The address discusses, generally, global terrorist attacks with ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Louise Arbour
Frank E. Schmelzer , Sandra Day O'Connor
Yaser Esam Hamdi, Shafiq Rasul
Aug. 22, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 3838
UN News Centre article reporting a UN experts findings after visiting an "illegal prison" in Afghanistan. The expert reported that the detainees were originally detained by the Northern Alliance and some U.S. forces, he reported that the ...
Sept. 16, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3839
Emails discuss the release of approximately one hundred and sixty Abu Ghraib detainees, and the expected release of over 250 the following week.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Amanda C. Pilz
Cara L. Abercrombie | Joshua L. Dorosin | Robin Lerner | Ashley A. Larsen | Elizabeth H. Richard | Ronald W. Miller | Charles W. Dunne | Jonathan J. Carpenter | Rexon Y. Ryu
Amanda C. Pilz, Cara L. Abercrombie, Elizabeth H. Richard, Ronald W. Miller, Joshua L. Dorosin, Jonathan S. Carpenter, Rexon Y. Ryu, Monica J. Tillery, Frank E. Schmelzer , Robin Lerner, Ashley A. Larsen, Charles W. Dunne
Sept. 20, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3840
Emails refer to DOD amendments to the abuse of detainee provision of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Beverly S. Holman
John D. Burnim, E. Holly Fitter, Daniel J. Krute, Gregory L. Schulte, Frank E. Schmelzer , William E. Moschella, Beverly S. Holman, Vanessa H. Riley, Monica J. Tillery, James L. Terry, James P. Terry, Peter N. Petrihos, William Steuer, John F. McNamara, Joseph E. Macmanus, James G. Hagan, Charles S. Faulkner
Sept. 21, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3841
Email refers to a news article, which discusses the U.S. Military's CID investigation into allegations of murder and torture of an 18-year-old Afghan Army recruit who was detained by the U.S. The article also discusses the torture of seven Afghan ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Todd F. Buchwald
Joshua L. Dorosin | Ed Cummings
Todd F. Buchwald, Frank E. Schmelzer , Joshua L. Dorosin, Edward R. Cummings
May 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3842

Email includes news articles about high level detainees, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah and the "harsh" interrogation methods the CIA employs. The email includes another article, which reports specific accounts of abuse.

Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Jonathan B. Schwartz
Katherine M. Gorove | Michael J. Dennis
George W. Bush, Jonathan B. Schwartz, Katherine M. Gorove, Donald H. Rumsfeld, Frank E. Schmelzer , Michael J. Dennis, Mark P. Lagon, Lorne Craner, Michael G. Kozak, Miriam K. Hughes, Janice A. Smith
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Abu Zubaydah, Walid Bin Attash
Physical assault, General, Stress positions, Sleep deprivation, Isolation, Dietary manipulation, Environmental manipulation, Temperature, Hooding/Goggling, Nudity, Other Humiliation, Forced grooming
May 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3843

Email includes news articles about high level detainees, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah and the "harsh" interrogation methods the CIA employs. The email includes another article, which reports specific accounts of abuse.

Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Ted A. Borek | Michael J. Dennis | Jonathan B. Schwartz | Katherine M. Gorove
Frank E. Schmelzer , JoAnn J. Dolan, Ted A. Borek, Jonathan B. Schwartz, Katherine M. Gorove, Monica J. Tillery, Michael J. Dennis, Mark P. Lagon, Lorne Craner, Michael G. Kozak, Janice A. Smith, Miriam K. Hughes
Abu Zubaydah, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Walid Bin Attash
June 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3844
Email response redacted. Original email includes a press release from the ICRC on the topic of Iraq and what the Geneva Convention says about the future of persons deprived of their freedom.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Steven A. Solomon
Ed Cummings | Joshua L. Dorosin | JoAnn J. Dolan | Piper A. Campbell | Jeffrey DeLaurentis | Joel Danies | Kevin Edward Moley | Magda S. Siekert | Joseph P. Cassidy | Thomas H. Casey | Katherine L. Starr | Michael T. Peay | Lynn L. Cassel
Steven A. Solomon, Edward R. Cummings, Frank E. Schmelzer , Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Magda S. Siekert, Piper Anne Wind Campbell, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Joel D. Danies, Joseph P. Cassidy, Thomas H. Casey, Katherine L. Starr, Michael T. Peay, Lynn L. Cassel, Kevin Edward Moley, Melissa R. Davis, David Shark, Joseph S. McGinnis, Richard L. Greene, John D. Hamill
Aug. 30, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 3845
Email redacted. Attached Washington Post article, "Lawyer for State Dept. Disputed Detainee Memo."
Aug. 31, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3846
Email discusses a recent speech by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Mr. Solomon states that the Ambassador would like to respond to the speech. The Ambassador is particularly ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Steven A. Solomon
Katherine M. Gorove | JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin | Ed Cummings | Kevin Edward Moley | Lynn L. Cassel | Michael T. Peay | Jeffrey DeLaurentis | Joel Danies | Robert K. Harris | Bonnie A. Angelov
Steven A. Solomon, Robert K. Harris, Katherine M. Gorove, JoAnn J. Dolan, Joshua L. Dorosin, Edward R. Cummings, Kevin Edward Moley, Lynn L. Cassel, Michael T. Peay, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Joel D. Danies, Frank E. Schmelzer , Bonnie A. Angelov
Sept. 03, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3847
Email is in response to a previous message from Steven Solomon, which discusses a recent speech by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). The reply is redacted.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Katherine M. Gorove
Steven A. Solomon | JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin | Ed Cummings | Michael T. Peay | Robert K. Harris
Steven A. Solomon, Katherine M. Gorove, Robert K. Harris, JoAnn J. Dolan, Joshua L. Dorosin, Edward R. Cummings, Michael T. Peay, Frank E. Schmelzer
Mar. 11, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3848
Email from Todd F. Buchwald, the opening of the email is completely redacted, but included is a press release entitled "Statement of Senator Edward M. Kennedy on pending nomination of William Haynes." In the press release, Senator Kennedy ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Todd F. Buchwald
JoAnn J. Dolan | Joshua L. Dorosin | Waldo W. Brooks | Theresa K. Mitchell
Todd F. Buchwald, Monica J. Tillery, JoAnn J. Dolan, Joshua L. Dorosin, Waldo W. Brooks , Edward M. Kennedy, Frank E. Schmelzer , William J. Haynes, II
June 23, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3849
Emails discuss the Department of Defenses' recent release of documents, the documents apparently explained the types of interrogation techniques the U.S. employed in Guantanamo. However, the documents are being criticized as insufficient. The ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Ed Cummings
JoAnn J. Dolan | Todd F. Buchwald | Joshua L. Dorosin | Steven A. Solomon | David Kaye
Edward R. Cummings, JoAnn J. Dolan, Todd F. Buchwald, Joshua L. Dorosin, Steven A. Solomon, David A. Kaye, Charles L. Daris, Donald H. Rumsfeld, George W. Bush, Ricardo Sanchez
Stress positions, Use of phobias, Nudity
July 13, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 3850
Bloomberg News Article re: US Holds Terror Suspects at Secret Location, Red Cross Says
Dec. 30, 2004
Other
Donald H. Rumsfeld
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
Other
July 13, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3851
Email from Robert K. Harris reads: "For your information and possible L/PM and/or L/FO coordination." The original email is a "Press Gaggle" by Scott McClellan, it includes three questions about the International Committee of the Red Cross' ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Robert K. Harris
Ed Cummings | James H. Thessin | Samuel M. Witten | Curtis A. Bradley
Robert K. Harris, Edward R. Cummings, Samuel M. Witten, Curtis A. Bradley, Scott McClellan, James H. Thessin, Francis M. Gaffney, Frank E. Schmelzer , Donald H. Rumsfeld
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
July 20, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3852
Emails discuss the House Representative request to the Attorney General to transmit documents in his possession relating to the treatment of prisoners and detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Joshua L. Dorosin | Peter N. Petrihos
JoAnn J. Dolan, Peter N. Petrihos, Edward R. Cummings, Joshua L. Dorosin, Monica J. Tillery, Frank E. Schmelzer , John Conyers, Jr., Dave Obey, Nancy Pelosi, Steny H. Hoyer, James E. Clyburn, Charles D. Rangel, Henry A. Waxman, Isaac Newton Skelton IV, Tom Lantos, Maurice D. Hinchey, John D. Ashcroft
July 22, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3853
Email forward of a paper written on the three War on Terror cases decisions issued by the Supreme Court in 2004. The paper summarizes Rumsfeld v Padilla, Hamdi v Rumsfeld and Rasul, et al v Bush. All three cases were brought by, or on behalf of, ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Katherine M. Gorove
Joshua L. Dorosin | JoAnn J. Dolan | Curtis A. Bradley
Katherine M. Gorove, Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Curtis A. Bradley, Donald H. Rumsfeld, George W. Bush, Janice A. Smith
Jose Padilla, Yaser Esam Hamdi, Shafiq Rasul
Sept. 21, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3854
Emails discuss an upcoming OSCE meeting. The author of the original email believes the treatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib will be a central focus of the meeting and wants to come up with a plan to discuss the issue and move onto other business.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Joshua L. Dorosin
JoAnn J. Dolan | Robert K. Harris | Ashley S. Deeks
Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Robert K. Harris, Frank E. Schmelzer , Heather Troutman , Ashley S. Deeks, Sarah F. Ozkan, Jeffrey Dienno, Edward R. Cummings, Alberto M. Fernandez, Brook E. Milton, Frank Ruggiero
Aug. 27, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3856
Emails discuss a statement by Colin L. Powell regarding Uyghur detainees. Mr. Powell apparently stated in an article (link provided) that the Uyghur detainees would not be sent back to China.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Joshua L. Dorosin
Colin L. Powell, Monica J. Tillery, Joshua L. Dorosin, JoAnn J. Dolan, Ronald W. Miller, Christopher N. Camponovo, Frank E. Schmelzer
Dec. 29, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3857
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
DOS | ACLU-RDI 3858
State Department talking points memo on the status of Guantanamo detainees as Unlawful Combatants vs. Prisoners of War (POWs). The memo cites the Geneva Convention's POW requirements that POWs wear a uniform with a distinctive insignia, that they ...
Dec. 28, 2001 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 3859
State Department interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents re: Summary of Conclusions from the Principals Committee Meeting on Terrorism December 20, 2001.