Reading Room Document

Application of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2340–2340A to the Combined Use of Certain Techniques in the Interrogation of High Value al Qaeda Detainees

This opinion reviews whether the combined use of 13 interrogation techniques (which include dietary manipulation, nudity, attention grasp, walling, facial hold, insult (facial) slap, abdominal slap, cramped confinement, wall standing, stress position, water dosing, sleep deprivation, and waterboarding) proposed by the CIA to apply on a high value al Qaeda detainee comply with the federal prohibition on torture. The opinion concludes that the combined use of these techniques do not violate the statute. 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/docs/memo-bradbury2005-2.pdf.

May 10, 2005