Bush bans 'cruel and inhumane' interrogation techniques

US President George Bush signed an order today banning cruel and inhumane treatment, humiliation or denigration of prisoners’ religious beliefs from interrogation techniques for terrorist suspects.

The White House declined to say whether the CIA currently has a detention and interrogation programme, but said if it did, it must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the executive order. The order targets captured al Qaida terrorists who have information on attack plans or the whereabouts of the group’s senior leaders.

“Last September, the president explained how the CIA’s programme had disrupted attacks and saved lives, and that it must continue on a sound legal footing,” White House press secretary Tony Snow said.

“The president has insisted on clear legal standards so that CIA officers involved in this essential work are not placed in jeopardy for doing their job - and keeping America safe from attacks.”

The executive order was the result of legislation Bush signed in October that authorised military trials of terrorism suspects, eliminated some of the rights defendants are usually guaranteed under US law, and authorised continued harsh interrogations of terror suspects.

The Supreme Court had ruled in June 2006 that trying detainees in military tribunals violated US and international law, so Bush urged Congress to change the law. He also insisted the law authorise CIA agents to use tough methods to interrogate suspected terrorists.

The legislation said the president can “interpret the meaning and application” of international standards for prisoner treatment, a provision intended to allow him to authorise aggressive interrogation methods that might otherwise be seen as illegal by international courts.