Our Statement on the confirmation of Gina Haspel as CIA Director
In response to Gina Haspel's appointment by the US Senate, Sonya Sceats, Chief Executive of Freedom from Torture, said...
"Gina Haspel's confirmation as CIA Director is a dark moment for survivors of torture and people everywhere fighting for a world free from torture.
Haspel is the public face of the CIA's shameful torture program after 9/11 and it is utterly perverse that she is rewarded with this promotion instead of being prosecuted.
This is an American political tragedy with global consequences, including for Britain's MI6 which has been in bed with the CIA before on torture and has deep links with Haspel.
Just last week, the British government was forced to issue a comprehensive apology to Abdel Hakim Belhaj and Fatima Boudchar for MI6’s complicity in their rendition to Libya by the CIA which led to years of detention and torture for Mr Belhaj.
Haspel did eventually concede to Senators that the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” program was a mistake. She has a high bar to climb now to convince the world that similar violations will not be repeated on her watch, regardless of the gravity of the security threats she is confronted with and political pressure she may face from her pro-torture President."
