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
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
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
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
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].
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Nov. 07, 2003 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4027

Report of the International Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights to the Special OSCE Meeting on the Prevention of Torture, Vienna, 6-7 November 2003. The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights is a non-governmental organization ...

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
July 16, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4025
Email from JoAnn Dolan to Emily Willmott, Carl Newns, Linda Jacobson and Todd Buchwald re: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Reply with attachements (attachments not included).
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Linda Jacobson | Todd F. Buchwald | Anne C. Brunson
JoAnn J. Dolan, Linda Jacobson, Todd F. Buchwald
DOS | ACLU-RDI 4026
State Department talking points memo on the status of detainees at Guantanamo provides information on the number of detainees held; the status of their case review; the U.S. is treating and will continue to treat all of the individuals detained ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Non-legal Memo
George W. Bush
Dec. 17, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4022
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 02, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 4023
Letter from UN Commission on Human Rights to U.S. Ambassador Kevin Edward Moley re: Request for Information on Detainee Treatment and Legal Status. The letter refers to Commission resolutions on torture and requests investigation into allegations ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Theo van Boven | Leandro Despouy | Paul Hunt
Kevin Edward Moley
Kevin Edward Moley
Dec. 29, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4024
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
Feb. 08, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4020
State Department cable advising Washington that the U.S. Ambassador Farish received a Letter dated February 8, 2002 from a law firm representing a detainee held in U.S. custody at Guantanamo. The letter requests access to the detainee, a meeting ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
William Stamps Farish
Jonathan M. Crock
William Stamps Farish, IV, Jonathan M. Crock
Dec. 10, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4021
State Department cable to Washington stating: "Mission has received a letter from the Special Rapporteur on Torture of the Commission on Human Rights requesting, for a second time, information on 'allegations of torture or ill-treatment' of ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Jonathan M. Crock
Jonathan M. Crock, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Michael T. Peay
Mar. 26, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4017
This cable sent from the Paris Mission sent to State Department Headquarters with the following synopsis: “On March 19, 2002, post received a letter addressed to the Ambassador from the attorneys of the families of detainees who are allegedly in ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Colin L. Powell
JoAnn J. Dolan, Colin L. Powell, Bruce Swartz, John B. Bellinger, III, Eliana Davidson
Oct. 02, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4018
This State Department cable is a set of talking points to address the issue of a cameraman who is allegedly detained at Guantanamo. The cable refers to two (2) letters; 1) September 16, 2002; and 2) June 4, 2002 from a redacted source asking the ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
JoAnn J. Dolan, Ronald W. Miller, Eliana Davidson, Jonathan Scharfan, Ross Hyams
Oct. 20, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4019
State Department cable re: formal request for access to the Guantanamo detainees of a certain nationality (not disclosed). The cable states: "In a 10/20 meeting at the MFA, DCM informed MFA Americas Desk Director of [U.S. government's] to ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Cable
Stephanie J. Molnar
Jan. 15, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4015
Email from JoAnn Dolan to Ed Cummings, Joshua Dorosin and Others re: PC Memo in Detainee-as sent. There is an attachment on the email, but the attachment is not included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Edward R. Cummings | Joshua L. Dorosin | Waldo W. Brooks | Todd F. Buchwald | Andre M. Surena | Steve A. Solomon
Ronald W. Miller, Edward R. Cummings, Joshua L. Dorosin, Waldo W. Brooks , Todd F. Buchwald, Andre M. Surena, Steven A. Solomon
Apr. 30, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4016
A Proposed response to Patton Boggs lawyers attachment (not included).
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Waldo W. Brooks
Todd F. Buchwald | Curtis A. Bradley | Philo L. Dibble | James Burger | Aaron W. Jost
Waldo W. Brooks , Todd F. Buchwald, Curtis A. Bradley, Philo L. Dibble, James Burger , Aaron W. Jost
Sept. 06, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4012
Emails between Joann Dolan Newell Highsmith, Ted Borek and Others re: BM D.Hoon 9.11.02 Inputs due by Friday, September 6, 2002. Redacted message; Request for briefing memo inputs.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Ted A. Borek | Todd F. Buchwald | Newell L. Highsmith | Priscilla G. Hernandez
JoAnn J. Dolan, Todd F. Buchwald
Sept. 13, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4013
Message entirely redacted except for a footnote that states "Note: The detainee's father — who has publicized his son's situation by occupying in a cage in downtown Stockholm throughout the past week — staged a protest in front of the Embassy on ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Pierre-Richard Prosper | Ronald W. Miller | William Howard Taft, IV | Brian H. Leventhal | Ed Cummings | Joshua L. Dorosin | Andre M. Surena | Todd F. Buchwald
JoAnn J. Dolan, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Ronald W. Miller, William Howard Taft, IV, Brian H. Leventhal, Edward R. Cummings, Joshua L. Dorosin, Andre M. Surena, Katherine M. Gorove, Todd F. Buchwald
Jan. 09, 2003 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4014
Subject line states ICRC only. Ms. Dolan's remarkes are "The cable is in on yesterday's meeting. I also have copies of the two ICRC letters referred from PRM. If anyone does not have copies already, let me know and I will get them around." ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
William Howard Taft, IV | Ronald W. Miller | Joshua L. Dorosin | Todd F. Buchwald | Waldo W. Brooks | Edward R. Cummings
JoAnn J. Dolan, William Howard Taft, IV, Ronald W. Miller, Joshua L. Dorosin, Todd F. Buchwald, Waldo W. Brooks , Edward R. Cummings
July 22, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4009
Email from Andrew Sagor to Todd F. Buchwald, Joshua L. Dorosin, Robin H. Sakoda and Cara L. Abercrombie re: Clearance/comments needed on red response letter, with an attachment not included. Mr. Sagor's comments are "S/WC1 has been tasked to ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Andrew E. Sagor
Todd F. Buchwald | Joshua L. Dorosin | Cara L. Abercrombie | Robin H. Sakoda
Colin L. Powell, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Todd F. Buchwald, Joshua L. Dorosin, Robin H. Sakoda, Cara L. Abercrombie
July 06, 2004 | ACLU-RDI 4010
DOS interagency delivery checklist for the appropriate handling and delivery of attached documents. Executive secretariat cover action memo sheet.
June 09, 2004 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4011
A letter from Netta Voutilainen of Amnisty International to Sec. of State Powell expressing concern for Mohammed Jassem 'Abd al-'Issawi, detained in Abu Ghraib since 12/17/03. Ms. Voutilainen askes "to be informed why he has been detained; and I ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Letter
Netta Voutilainen
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell, George W. Bush, Donald H. Rumsfeld, L. Paul Bremer, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
Mar. 18, 2003 | ACLU-RDI 4007
Email from JoAnn Dolan to Todd Buchwald, Andre Surena, Ronald W. Miller, Waldo W. Brooks, Joshua L. Dorosin and Robert E. Dalton re: C-175 memorandum of law attachment (not included). Ms. Dolan's comments are "Attached is a draft memorandum of ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
JoAnn J. Dolan
Todd F. Buchwald | Andre Surena | Ronald W. Miller | Waldo W. Brooks | Joshua L. Dorosin | Robert E. Dalton
JoAnn J. Dolan, Todd F. Buchwald, Duncan B. Hollis, Andre M. Surena, Ronald W. Miller, Waldo W. Brooks , Joshua L. Dorosin, Robert E. Dalton
May 11, 2004 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4008
This email is a copy of the press release of the remarks of Sec. Powell and Foreign Minister Fischer concerning Iraq in the context of a new UN resolution that will be required to move forward to returning full sovereignty back to the Iraqis; ...
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Jonathan B. Schwartz
Ed Cummings | JoAnn J. Dolan | Todd F. Buchwald
Colin L. Powell, Jonathan B. Schwartz, Edward R. Cummings, JoAnn J. Dolan, Todd F. Buchwald, Condoleeza Rice, Antonio Taguba, L. Paul Bremer, Donald H. Rumsfeld
July 05, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4004
Email from Darlene Namahoe with Beverly Holman as a recipient re: Litigation Involving Detainees. Confidential attachment not included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
Darlene Namahoe
Beverly S. Holman
Beverly S. Holman
Aug. 02, 2002 | DOS | ACLU-RDI 4005
Email from David Bowker to Joshua Dorosin and Todd Buchwald re: International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) report on detainees, attachment not included.
Dec. 30, 2004
Email
David W. Bowker
Joshua L. Dorosin | Todd F. Buchwald
David W. Bowker, Joshua L. Dorosin, Todd F. Buchwald
Aug. 06, 1999 | Non-US | ACLU-RDI 4002
United nations Secretary-General's Bulletin Observance by United Nations forces of international humanitarian law. The Secretary-General, for the purpose of setting out fundamental principles and rules of international humanitarian law applicable ...