She has been instrumental in extraordinary rendition, illegal detention, and torture. Now, she has a top job at the CIA.
President Trump’s new CIA Deputy Director, Gina Haspel, is notorious for overseeing some of the worst abuses of the Bush Administration.
Voice your opposition to Gina Haspel’s appointment by signing our petition now.
In 2002, Gina Haspel oversaw an illegal CIA ‘black site’ in Thailand, within which she authorized the use of torture.
Palestinian prisoner Abu Zubaydah found himself illegally detained within Ms. Haspel’s black site. Here he was subjected to a series of cruel torture techniques, including being waterboarded 83 times in one month, having his head smashed against walls, and being kept awake for 11 consecutive days.
The CIA later withdrew its claim that Abu Zubaydah was a member of al-Qaeda. But, instead of admitting her mistake, Ms. Haspel helped the CIA to destroy video evidence of his torture.
Newly-declassified reports reveal that Ms. Haspel had the power to halt Abu Zubaydah’s suffering. She never did. Instead, she reportedly watched as he vomited, passed out, and urinated on himself while shackled.
By appointing Gina Haspel, President Trump is legitimizing American torture. We need leaders of the CIA who understand that torture is un-American, and makes us less safe. Based on her past actions, several members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have already voiced their opposition to Gina Haspel’s appointment.
Will you also make your voice heard?
The use of torture marks a shameful chapter in our nation’s history. If we are to move on from this dark past, Gina Haspel cannot continue as Deputy Director of the CIA.
