BECAUSE one of our core Unitarian Universalist principles is our belief in and affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of all persons; and

WHEREAS torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that all religions hold dear;

WHEREAS torture shames us all and erodes the character of the nation that tortures; WHEREAS the United States has adopted torture and unlimited detention as an official policy;

WHEREAS the Military Commissions Act of 2006 includes numerous provisions of law that directly or indirectly sanction U.S. sponsored torture;

WHEREAS the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (S. 576 and H.R. 1415), if enacted, would correct the immoral abuses of the Military Commissions Act;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2007 General Assembly reject torture by anyone for any purpose under any circumstances without exception;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 General Assembly stand in opposition to all U.S. sponsored torture, secret prisons, and rendition for torture;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 General Assembly stand in support of full U.S. compliance with the Geneva Conventions and the United Nations Convention Against Torture:

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 General Assembly stand in support of the Restoring the Constitution Act, including Legislation to restore habeas corpus;

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 General Assembly stand in support of holding U.S. personnel and persons acting on behalf of the United States accountable for any acts of torture in which they were engaged, ordered, or supervised; and

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 General Assembly urge Unitarian Universalist Congregations to oppose and speak out against U.S, sponsored torture wherever and whenever possible.