Physicians for Human Rights - Interrogation Abuses - A Letter to the Editor of the New York Times Skip to content Search for: Close Our Work Focus Areas COVID-19 Pandemic Asylum and Persecution Attacks on Health Care Weapons Killings/Mass Atrocities Sexual Violence Torture When Doctors Harm Where We Work Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya Myanmar Syria Ukraine United States View All Countries > How We Work We Document We Advocate We Empower Resources Blog Press Releases Reports Webinars Multimedia View All Resources > Get Involved Participate Attorneys: Request a Forensic Evaluation Health Professionals: Join the Asylum Network Join the National Student Program Take Action Reauthorize Access To Syrian Border Crossing Justice for Separated Families Pass the BURMA Act to Protect Restore Rights in Myanmar Subscribe Impact Our Impact Forensic Evidence Brings Justice to Srebrenica Justice for the Children of Kavumu Ridding the World of a Deadly Scourge The Campaign to Free the Alaei Doctors Successes Justice Through Innovation The Quiet Hero of Guantánamo A Victory against U.S. Torture Support Us Support Us Online Monthly Planned Giving Donate by Mail Donate Stock Donate by Wire Transfer Donation FAQ Workplace Giving About About Careers & Internships Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Annual Reports and Newsletters Our History Financials Our People Board of Directors Advisory Council Board Emeritus Experts Staff Contact Us Donate ResourcesOther Interrogation Abuses – A Letter to the Editor of the New York Times June 1, 2007 To the Editor: Re "Advisers Fault Harsh Methods in Interrogation” (front page, May 30): The abusive interrogation methods reverse-engineered from the military's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape torture-resistance program cause enormous psychological harm ranging from psychosis and suicidal ideation to post-traumatic stress disorder. They are not only unreliable and immoral; they constitute torture and violate the United States' commitment to respect the most basic human rights. Yet according to the Pentagon's inspector general, psychologists, under the guise of behavioral science, have used their credentials to develop and carry out these highly abusive techniques at Guantánamo, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and elsewhere. The abuses are a direct result of trying to rely on science and scientists to break down detainees. The only appropriate response, for the profession and for the government, is to end the direct participation of psychologists, who have an ethical obligation to minimize harm, in interrogations. Leonard S. Rubenstein Stephen N. Xenakis, M.D. Washington, May 30, 2007 The writers are, respectively, executive director, Physicians for Human Rights; and a retired Army brigadier general who is a former commander of the Southeast Medical Command. Donate $50 $100 $250 $500 $1000 Donate Sign Up Join Enter a valid email address Invalid email address Success! Shared in the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Home Our Work © Physicians for Human Rights 2022 PHR Privacy Policy