National Religious Campaign Against Torture

National Religious Campaign Against Torture is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by George Hunsinger and Richard Killmer with the goal of mobilizing people of faith to end torture in the United States and around the world. The organization is supported by various faith communities, including Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, and Jewish Council for Public Affairs. The campaign has been endorsed by prominent religious leaders such as Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, and Martin Luther King III. The organization works closely with other human rights groups, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

● History

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture was founded in response to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal and the subsequent revelations of torture at Guantanamo Bay detention center. The organization's founders, George Hunsinger and Richard Killmer, were motivated by their faith and a commitment to upholding human rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions. The campaign has since grown to include a diverse coalition of faith communities, including Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Islamic Society of North America, and the National Council of Churches. The organization has also worked with prominent politicians, such as Barack Obama, John McCain, and Dianne Feinstein, to advocate for an end to torture.

● Mission and Goals

The mission of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture is to mobilize people of faith to end torture in the United States and around the world. The organization's goals include advocating for the closure of Guantanamo Bay detention center, ending the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, and promoting a culture of respect for human rights, as outlined in the Torture Victim Protection Act and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The campaign also seeks to educate people of faith about the issue of torture and to provide resources and support for those working to end torture, including the Center for Constitutional Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The organization has partnered with other groups, such as the American Friends Service Committee and the Mennonite Central Committee, to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence.

● Organization and Membership

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture is a coalition of over 300 faith-based organizations, including Catholic Charities USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church. The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from various faith communities, such as Bishop Gene Robinson and Rabbi David Saperstein. The campaign has a diverse membership, including people from various faith traditions, such as Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The organization also has a strong network of partners, including the World Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Islamic Circle of North America. The campaign works closely with other human rights organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign and the Anti-Defamation League.

● Advocacy and Activism

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture engages in various forms of advocacy and activism to achieve its goals, including lobbying, grassroots organizing, and public education. The organization has worked with politicians, such as Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell, to advocate for legislation that promotes human rights and ends torture, such as the Detainee Treatment Act and the Military Commissions Act. The campaign has also organized rallies and protests, such as the Guantanamo Bay protest and the Torture Awareness Month campaign, to raise awareness about the issue of torture and to promote a culture of respect for human rights. The organization has partnered with other groups, such as the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, to challenge torture policies in court, including the Boumediene v. Bush case and the Hamdan v. Rumsfeld case.

● Notable Campaigns and Initiatives

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture has launched several notable campaigns and initiatives, including the Torture Awareness Month campaign and the Guantanamo Bay protest. The organization has also worked on initiatives such as the National Religious Call to Action to End Torture and the Interfaith Campaign to Close Guantanamo. The campaign has partnered with other organizations, such as the Witness Against Torture and the Guantanamo Justice Center, to promote a culture of respect for human rights and to end torture. The organization has also worked with prominent individuals, such as Noam Chomsky and Cornel West, to raise awareness about the issue of torture and to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence. The campaign has been recognized for its work by organizations such as the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and the Pax Christi International.

Category:Human rights organizations