Reading Room Document

Application of United States Obligations Under Article 16 of the Convention Against Torture to Certain Techniques that May Be Used in the Interrogation of High Value al Qaeda Detainees

This opinion reviews whether the "enhanced interrogation techniques" employed by the CIA in the interrogation of high value al Qaeda detainees are consistent with Uníted States obligations under Article 16 of the Torture Convention. The opinion conludes that Article 16 does not extend to the CIA interrogation program; even if it does apply, the CIA program does not violate the substantive standards of Article 16, provided that CIA's screening criteria, limitations, and medical safeguards are in place. The OLC does not provide release dates for its opinions, so the release date listed is the date on which the opinion was authored. The original opinion is available at https://justice.gov/olc/file/886281/download.

May 30, 2005