Torture Is Already Illegal, So Why "Ban" It?

Adam Hudson @ Truthout - The US Senate voted by a high margin to ban the use of torture on June 16. The bill is an amendment to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual defense policy measure. It passed 78-21 but the entire bill currently remains in the Senate. Leading the effort was Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Arizona) who coauthored the bill with Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-California). The bill is a departure from the CIA's torture program during the Bush administration. However, it is also a redundant measure: Torture is already illegal under US and international law.  Read more.