Voices Against Torture: Writers and Lawyers on the Way Forward

December 16, 2008 | Judson Memorial Church | NYC

With Jane Mayer, Anouar Benmalek, Elisa Massimino, and Scott Horton; moderated by Dahlia Lithwick

Writers and lawyers discuss their work and its relationship to combating torture, as well as the role writers and lawyers play in exposing human rights abuses and reminding nations of their human rights responsibilities.

Discussed: the corruption of language, the corruption of thought; “no-touch torture”; words vs. photos; the CIA’s trashing of videotapes; self-censorship, complicity, and cultural acceptance of torture; presidential authorization; being told not to use the word “torture” on Jim Lehr; the torture that leaves no marks; “24” and revenge fantasies
 

PHOTO GALLERY
• View the photo gallery on Flickr

WRITINGS
• Scott Horton: Justice After Bush
• Elisa Massimino: Hearing on Restoring the Rule of Law
• Anouar Benmalek: The Campaign Against Torture in Algeria
• Jane Mayer: The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals

LISTEN
• Entire event (1:00)
• Panel discussion (18:59)
• Q&A (15:31)

VIDEO
• Scott Horton discusses the importance of examining government misconduct since 9/11
• Elisa Massimino discusses the writer’s role in dealing with torture
• Scott Horton discusses the need to create a commission of inquiry
• Elisa Massimino discusses how to reclaim the language used to describe torture
• Anouar Benmalek discusses interviewing tortured Algerians
• Jane Mayer discusses writing about torture