PHR Action Center

Legislation has been proposed in New York State by NYS Assemblyman Richard Gottfried and NYS Senator Tom Duane which would prohibit the participation of health care professionals in torture and improper treatment of prisoners. This bill is a needed step to insure that the well-documented complicity and direct participation of physicians and other health professionals at Guantánamo Bay and elsewhere will not be repeated.

Physicians for Human Rights, The Center for Constitutional Rights, The New York Coalition Against Torture (NYCAT), and The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture have been at the forefront of advocacy for this legislation. This is your chance to help. We need your support.

If you are a medical student or other health professional in training, current health professional, or simply a concerned citizen, let New York State and the world know that you support this legislation by signing the petition below. Sign now, and forward to 5 friends. (This petition is available to everyone to sign; you do not need to be a NYS resident. If you have a NYS address and wish to send the petition directly to your legislators, sign it here.)

To read this bill:

• NY Senate bill S4495
• NY State Assembly bill 6665--B

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Professional Associations

• NY Chapter of the American College of Physicians
• NY State Society of Physician's Assistants
• NY State Psychological Association
• NY State Nurses Association
• Nurse Practitioner Association NY State
• National Association of Social Workers - NY State Chapter
• NY City Chapter of the National Lawyers' Guild

Human Rights Organizations

• Center for Constitutional Rights
• Physicians for Human Rights
• New York Civil Liberties Union
• Catholic Migration Office
• The Fortune Society
• Human Rights First