Brennan to Face Human Rights Challenges at CIA

Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First congratulates newly-confirmed Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan and looks forward to working with him to advance U.S. intelligence policies that protect and promote American ideals. This afternoon, the Senate voted 63-34 in support of Director-designate Brennan.

“In his new job, John Brennan should fulfill the commitments he made to transparency during his nomination hearing,” said Human Rights First’s Raha Wala. “He can send a clear message to the CIA’s workforce – and the world – that torture is a thing of the past by supporting the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on post-9/11 interrogation and detention.”

The organization also urges Brennan to provide public information regarding the administration’s targeted killing program. Brennan should commit to a targeted killing program that is lawful, ethical, and in the national security interest of the United States.

Human Rights First recently issued a series of blueprints containing practical steps lawmakers and administration officials can take to address some of the most pressing human rights issues in the world today. These documents – including How To Close Guantanamo and How to Ensure that the U.S. Drone Program Does Not Undermine Human Rights – offer specific recommendations for Director-designate Brennan and the CIA.

(2013-03-08/humanrightsfirst)