Torture Forum Presentation-Jennifer Harbury

Here is an audio file the last Presentation of the Torture Forum held at SUNY Buffalo this fall from the Rochester Indymedia Audiophiles. What an excellent series. here is a discription of why the forum was put together and bios on the last two speakers that we have included the audio for

"It is increasingly clear that the Abu Ghraib torture scandal cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather must be seen within the greater scope of US policy, history, culture, and society. The allegations and evidence of human rights abuses in the "war on terror" has thrown the identity of American democracy into question. Corporate media simplifies and sensationalizes, and thus hinders rather than helps any sense of involved and sustained debate of such profound concepts and controversial subjects by laypersons. Forum on Torture, in the spirit of true democratic discussion and expression, features diverse speakers who together will provide a plethora of knowledge bases and critical analyses in an effort to enable attendees to comprehend their own theoretical, ethical and pragmatic positionings in relation to torture. Specific histories and events, from child abuse through WWII psychological warfare and CIA involvement in Central American "dirty wars" to computer games, will be analyzed from such perspectives as International Law, the US Constitution, human rights advocacy campaigns, and visual theory, as well as from the point of view of the broader socio-cultural fabric of America. Films, artworks, and independent media expanding human rights discourse will be presented in person by makers, curators, and journalists."

Jennifer Harbury: In her latest book, Truth, Torture and the American Way, Harbury takes the reader on a journey as to how we arrived at Abu Ghraib. The book documents our path from Vietnam to Latin America to Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo — a chilling chronicle that gives the lie to the "few bad apples" assesment. We can only hope that the facts she presents will help bring this nightmare of abuses to an end.

Ezat Mossallanejad: The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. Ezat Mossallanejad is a political economist who has published a variety of books and articles on torture and economics. He has struggled for social justice in Iran and escapes persecution three times. He currently serves on the board of the Canadian Center for Victims of Torture. His most recent book is Torture in the age of Fear.