Hosting a Forum on Medically-Assisted Torture

On November 15, I will be holding a public forum to address the controversy surrounding accusations of medical professionals’ participation in torture or “enhanced interrogation” as well as to analyze the potential impacts and implementation of proposed legislative responses.  A number of court cases and petitions to state disciplinary boards have included evidence that licensed medical professionals abdicated their professional responsibility by taking part in torture.  Since these professionals are licensed at the state level, it is within New York State’s jurisdiction to determine whether violations have occurred as well as the appropriate sanctions.  The purpose of this forum is to explore the legal, regulatory and ethical obligations of medical professionals relating to torture and other enhanced interrogation techniques, as well as to analyze the potential impacts and implementation of proposed legislative responses.  It will be held in the Senate Hearing Room at 250 Broadway, 19^th Floor in Downtown Manhattan at 11:00 A.M.  Please see the hearing notice below for more details.