Psychologist group warns of interrogations:-
WASHINGTON | July 06, 2005 10:11:28 PM IST
The American Psychological Association has warned its members of ethical concerns of helping in the questioning of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
An APA task force put together a report it made public Tuesday following reports in last month's New York Times that psychologists were giving interrogators advice on how to break detainees.
The Times said psychiatrists and psychologists were asked how to use a prisoner's fears, perhaps learned from medical records, to increase distress.
The APA said it was consistent with its Code of Ethics for psychologists to serve as consultants to interrogators but when helping the questioning process psychologists should not use health care related information to the detriment of an individual's safety and well-being.
It also said psychologists should not engage in, direct, support, facilitate or offer training in torture or other cruel or inhuman, or degrading treatment and that such acts should be reported to authorities.
Leonard Rubenstein, executive director of Physicians for Human Rights told The Washington Post: In view of what is happening at places like Guantanamo, we need clarity and what's lacking here is an explicit commitment not to participate in coercive interrogations.
(UPI)
