Rumsfeld Sued Over Torture by ACLU and Human Rights First

The first federal court lawsuit to name a top U.S. official in the ongoing torture scandal in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Illinois on behalf of eight men who were subject to torture and abuse at the hands of U.S. forces under Secretary Rumsfeld’s command. The parties are seeking a court order declaring that Secretary Rumsfeld’s actions violated the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes and international law. more

"The United States was founded on the simple principle that all people, by virtue of their humanity, have inalienable rights under law. Torture and calculated cruelty inflicted as official policy – the kind of abuses suffered by our clients and documented by our complaint – cannot be reconciled with this principle...."

"Throughout our efforts, we have consulted with retired military leaders, testing our assumptions and recommendations. These discussions have led to a partnership with them about the need for reform – for national and troop security and for America to promote its democratic interests around the world. As a show of this alliance, we are very appreciative that Admiral John Hutson and General James Cullen have joined Human Rights First as “of counsel” on this suit." more