Psychologists: We Won't Help With Interrogations

Major group bans participation after Bush-era controversy
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 8, 2015 9:30 AM CDT
Psychologists: We Won't Help With Interrogations
A 2009 photo of a renovated Abu Ghraib prison, renamed Baghdad Central Prison and run by Iraqis, in Baghdad.   (AP Photo / Karim Kadim, File)

The nation's biggest group of psychologists is done helping the US conduct interrogations. The American Psychological Association yesterday banned any more assistance after scathing criticism of its actions during the Bush-era interrogations overseas, reports NPR. Among other things, the group was accused of helping the administration justify sessions that amounted to torture. Leaders allegedly worked closely with White House officials to make sure the group's policies allowed members to take part in the interrogations, reports the New York Times.

No more. From now on, “psychologists shall not conduct, supervise, be in the presence of, or otherwise assist any national security interrogations for any military or intelligence entities, including private contractors working on their behalf, nor advise on conditions of confinement insofar as these might facilitate such an interrogation," says the ban. (More American Psychological Association stories.)

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