August 20, 2006 --

The following Resolution, submitted by
Democrats Abroad was adopted on Autust 19, 2006, by the Democratic
National Committee (DNC), at a meeting in Chicago, Illinois,

Submitted by: Michael A. Ceurvorst, Chair/Democrats Abroad with
twenty + co-sponsors including four DNC Vice-chairs, seven state chairs
and dozens of others.

TEXT OF TORTURE RESOLUTION
Resolution condemns any incident of abuse of prisoners or the use of torture by any agent or agency of the United States.

WHEREAS, torture violates the U.S. Constitution, statutes,
and core American beliefs in the dignity and integrity of each person
that have always been essential to our system of government and way of
life; and

WHEREAS, torture also violates a fundamental prohibition of
current international law and specifically the Geneva Conventions, and
its breach is considered a crime of universal jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, torture is not a partisan concern and constitutes
a violation that all Americans should resolutely oppose in principle
and in practice;

WHEREAS, rejecting torture re-affirms fundamental American
beliefs in the essential dignity of each human being, provides common
ground with current and aspiring democracies around the world, and
undercuts terrorist recruitment by reaffirming American commitment to
human rights; and

WHEREAS, a failure to take a stand against torture and its
practice by any agent or agency of our United States of America can be
seen to jeopardize our system of values and governance; and

WHEREAS, numerous credible allegations of torture by agents
or agencies of the United States await adequate investigation to
establish accountability;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National
Committee (DNC) hereby condemns any incident of abuse of prisoners or
the use of torture by any agent or agency of the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DNC reaffirms the
importance of making human rights and the rule of law guiding forces
for conduct by all agents and agencies of the government of the United
States, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DNC calls on all Americans
to demand accountability for those who have demonstrably engaged in
torture and those whose policies condoned, allowed, or encouraged the
practice of torture and violation of international conventions.