No Torture. No Exceptions.

Let us take note and take heart that in the war on terror America is not alone. We are neither the first nor the only democratic country to suffer deadly terrorist attack. Combating terrorism is a high priority for key allies like Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
Let us take note also that these allies of ours all reject torture. They are committed together with the other member states of the Council of Europe to the fundamental principle that "it is both possible and necessary to combat terrorism while respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law."
Let us together as a nation publicly renew our absolute rejection of torture in all forms, at all times, in all places. Americans are ready to make and will fully support this declaration. Our allies will welcome this significant step in our collaboration in the war on terror.
Let us openly declare that in rejecting torture our intent is to protect our troops overseas, to ensure our nation's commitment to the rule of law, and to restore America's credibility at home and abroad.
Let us, finally, ensure that America's public rejection of torture is given practical meaning through immediate and resolute implementation of the following steps:
1. To investigate and bring to public knowledge a full accounting of the detention and interrogation practices carried out by the United States in respect to the torture and ill-treatment of detainees in the war on terror.
2. To acknowledge and condemn our use of torture and, without minimizing or excusing, to take full responsibility for our violations of U.S. and international laws that prohibit torture.
3. To reaffirm United States commitment to the protection of human rights and adherence to U.S. and international law, the Geneva Conventions, and to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
4. To renounce all interpretations of these laws issued in U.S. government internal memoranda that permit our use of torture, and to restore to the word torture its time-honored meaning.
5. To ensure that all whom our forces detain are treated in accordance with the same legal standards we would have others observe when detaining American prisoners.
6. To reject and abolish the practice of the rendition of detainees abroad.
7. To establish one standard of interrogation, based on the sound guidance of the U.S. Army Field Manual, to apply to all persons captured or held in U.S. custody or under U.S. control, whether C.I.A., military, or civilian.
8. To strengthen and broaden Congressional oversight of the treatment of detainees by U.S. personnel combating terrorist organizations.
9. To introduce and enforce, in respect to U.S. treatment of detainees, full transparency of information to the American public, the United States Congress, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the implementing committees of the international treaties to which we are a party.