Bush to sign harsh interrogation laws


A US bill that allows tough interrogation and prosecution of terrorism suspects will be signed into law on Tuesday by President George W Bush.

The Military Commissions Act of 2006 sets standards for interrogating suspects through a complex set of rules that human rights groups say could allow harsh techniques bordering on torture, such as sleep deprivation and induced hypothermia.

The new law means Bush can continue a secret CIA program for interrogating terrorism suspects he believes have vital information that could thwart a plot against America.

It establishes military tribunals that would allow some use of evidence obtained by coercion, but would give defendants access to classified evidence being used to convict them.


Full article at  http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Bush-to-sign-harsh-interrogation-laws/2006/10/17/1160850921989.html