Resolution Number SF08.21
Defining “Waterboarding” As Torture And Eliminating Its Practice By The United States Government
WHEREAS, “Waterboarding” is a torture technique whereby a person has water poured over his or her face to simulate drowning, has been classified as torture under the Geneva Conventions, and has not previously been allowed in U.S. military army interrogations, and is antithetical to every moral principle that America stands for; and
WHEREAS, the eighth amendment to the United States Constitution bans the use of cruel and unusual punishment, and on September 6, 2006, the United States Department of Defense released a revised Army Field Manual entitled Human Intelligence Collector Operations that prohibits the use of waterboarding by U.S. military personnel, and further that the United States is a ratifying member of the UN Convention Against Torture which prohibits the use of waterboarding; and
WHEREAS, this form of torture has been used during the Spanish Inquisition, by the Japanese and the German Secret Police during World War II, and by the North Vietnamese against American POWs in North Vietnam, and that the majority of Americans abhor and do not want this form of violence and torture committed in their names by the U.S. Government and its acting agents;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party is committed to ending the illegal and immoral act of torture “Waterboarding” done to any prisoners and further that we unequivocally support the Geneva Conventions definition of torture; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party send a copy of this resolution to the California Congressional delegation.
Authored by Margie Murray (41st AD), Valley Democrats United, Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles; Brad Parker, President, Valley Democrats United, Progressive Democrats of LA
Endorsed by Valley Democrats United
Passed by Los Angeles County Democratic Party Resolutions Committee 11/06/07
(Contact: Agi Kessler)
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Adopted by the Executive Board
Of the California Democratic Party
At Its Executive Board Meeting
Westin Hotel, Millbrae
June 15, 2008 | 
