The Acts of Convention
| Resolution Number: | 2009-C020 |
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| Title: | Condemn Torture and Extraordinary Rendition |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention condemn the use of torture and the practice of extraordinary rendition by the United States and any government, individual or organization in any location in the world; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopalians shall not engage in, order or assist in the torture of any human being, and shall not counsel the use of torture for intelligence gathering or any other purpose; and be it further
Resolved, That lawyers who are Episcopalians and dioceses are urged to procure or provide pro bono legal counsel to help defend any Episcopalian in military, police, civilian, governmental or contractor service who faces discharge or disciplinary action for refusing to order, engage or assist in torture, or for refusing to approve or to provide counsel justifying the use of torture for any purpose, or who faces discharge or disciplinary action for exposing such practices; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the United States government, and all governments, individuals and organizations in any location in the world to comply with Geneva Conventions and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the administration of Justice, enacting policies to prevent the use for torture and extraordinary rendition both domestically and abroad; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the President and Congress to devise and implement truth and reconciliation-based methods of accountability to make transparent to the American people governmental practices or torture and extraordinary rendition.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 361. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Diocese of Newark |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on National and International Concerns |
House of Deputies
Deputy Snow of Alaska moved to suspend the Rules to immediately consider Resolution C020 (Condemnation of Torture).
Motion carried
Rules suspended
The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #33 on Resolution C020 (Condemnation of Torture) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(C020)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention condemn the use of torture and the practice of extraordinary rendition by the United States and any government, individual or organization in any location in the world; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the United States government, and all governments, individuals and organizations in any location in the world to comply with Geneva Conventions and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the administration of Justice, enacting policies to prevent its use both domestically and abroad.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention condemn the use of torture and the practice of extraordinary rendition by the United States and any government, individual or organization in any location in the world; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopalians shall not engage in, order or assist in the torture of any human being, and shall not counsel the use of torture for intelligence gathering or any other purpose; and be it further
Resolved, That lawyers who are Episcopalians and dioceses are urged to procure or provide pro bono legal counsel to help defend any Episcopalian in military, police, civilian, governmental or contractor service who faces discharge or disciplinary action for refusing to order, engage or assist in torture, or for refusing to approve or to provide counsel justifying the use of torture for any purpose, or who faces discharge or disciplinary action for exposing such practices; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the United States
government, and all governments, individuals and organizations in any location
in the world to comply with Geneva Conventions and the United Nations’
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the administration of Justice,
enacting policies to prevent its usethe use for torture
and extraordinary rendition both domestically and abroad; and be it
further
Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the President and Congress to devise and implement truth and reconciliation-based methods of accountability to make transparent to the American people governmental practices or torture and extraordinary rendition.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #259)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #45 on HD Message #259 on Resolution C020 (Condemnation of Torture) and moved concurrence.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #272)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.
| Abstract: | The 76th General Convention condemns the use of torture and the practice of extraordinary rendition, and requires Episcopalians to refuse to engage in torture in compliance with international standards, and urges them to defend others of the faithful who refuse to participate in torture. |
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