Comment & Debate
A bill on interrogation techniques was passed on February 13, 2008 in the US Senate, in a 51 to 45 vote, limiting the number of techniques allowed to only “those interrogation techniques explicitly authorized by the 2006 Army Field Manual.” This aimed to eliminate enhanced interrogation techniques, based on the argument that the Army Field Manual is sufficient to obtain information from prisoners, ensure national security, and uphold US norms of justice. Based on the same premises, President Obama signed a January 11th, 2009 executive order halting “enhanced interrogations” and reverting back to the Army Field Manuel guidelines.