Former US President Jimmy Carter said in an interview for CNN his country tortures prisoners in violation of international law. Photo by thewashingtonnote.com
Former US President Jimmy Carter said in an interview for CNN his country tortures prisoners in violation of international law.
Carter said the United States has abandoned the basic principles of human rights.
I don't think it. I know it, he said.
The New York Times reported last week that the Justice Department had issued secret memorandums in the past clearing the use of harsh interrogation techniques, including head-slapping, simulated drowning and frigid temperatures.
In response to the report, President George W. Bush said last week the government does not torture people.
Carter Wednesday accused Bush of creating his own definition of human rights.
But you can make your own definition of human rights and say we don't violate them, he said, and you can make your own definition of torture and say we don't violate them.
A senior White House official said in response to Carter's claim: Our position is clear. We do not torture.