CIA agents who used harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects during the Bush era will not be prosecuted.

US President Barack Obama has released four memos detailing techniques the CIA was able to use under the Bush administration, the BBC reported. During his first week in office, he issued an executive order officially outlawing the use of harsh interrogation techniques by the CIA, and forcing the agency to adhere to standards laid out in the US Army Field Manual.

Rights groups have criticised President Obama's decision to protect CIA agents involved in the interrogation procedures. The Department of Justice appeared to be offering a "get-out-of-jail-free card" to individuals who were involved in acts of torture, Amnesty International said.

"It is one of the deepest disappointments of this administration that it appears unwilling to uphold the law where crimes have been committed by former officials", the Center for Constitutional Rights said in a statement.

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