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Torture, Psychology, and the War on Terror
Torture, Psychology, and the War on Terror (Coalition for an Ethical Psychology)
PLEASE READ: INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO USE THE TIMELINE
September 1, 2001
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This timeline was constructed by Coalition member Roy Eidelson. Events in light-blue are focused on psychology; events in light-green identify broader milestones in the “war on terror.” Zoom-in and zoom-out options are available. Placing the cursor on individual events reveals hyperlinks with further background information. To search the timeline, use "Control+F" on a PC or "Command+F" on a Mac. Below the timeline is a chronological listing of all included events; some dates are approximate.
SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT THE COALITION'S INTERACTIVE TIMELINE
September 1, 2001
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In the view of the Coalition for an Ethical Psychology, one of the defining tragedies of this two-decade era has been the involvement of members of our own profession in the brutal detainee operations that became an enduring symbol of the US government’s abandonment of international law and human rights. Equally disturbing from our perspective, over much of this period the American Psychological Association (APA) repeatedly failed to stand as a firm bulwark in defending the profession’s do-no-harm ethics and in opposing the weaponization of psychology.
Recognizing that the passage of time can dim memory and awareness, especially when powerful forces seem committed to distorting or denying the past, the Coalition has created this new interactive timeline — “Torture, Psychology, and the War on Terror.” The timeline identifies dozens of categorized key events (many with hyperlinks for further background) that span the past 20+ years from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to the present day.
It is our hope that the timeline will be a valuable resource — for those who simply want to better understand what transpired; for those who want to conduct in-depth research; and for those who want to protect the profession and the APA from repeating similar missteps in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
September 11th Terrorist Attacks in the United States
September 11, 2001
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American Psychological Association (APA) activates Disaster Response Network
September 14, 2001
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CIA is authorized to detain and interrogate suspects in “war on terror”
2001-09-17
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Congress authorizes use of force against Al Qaeda and Taliban
2001-09-18
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APA cites central goal: situating psychology “as a key national resource"
October 1, 2001
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APA reaches out to Department of Defense (DoD) and CIA to learn about needs
October 1, 2001
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US War in Afghanistan begins
2001-10-07
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President George W. Bush signs USA Patriot Act
2001-10-26
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Justice Department memo: detainees are not entitled to Geneva protections
2001-11-06
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Bush permits indefinite detention and evidence obtained from torture
2001-11-13
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Psychologist Morgan Banks deploys to Bagram detention facility in Afghanistan
November 15, 2001
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APA issues terrorism resolution, calls for more funding for behavioral research
2001-12-07
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Martin Seligman hosts CIA's James Mitchell, Kirk Hubbard, others at his home
2001-12-15
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DoD Sec Rumsfeld: detainees to be moved from Afghanistan to Guantanamo (GTMO)
2001-12-27
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Afghans detained at Bagram prison claim mistreatment and abuse
2002-01-01
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Mitchell and Bruce Jessen develop/promote paper on countermeasures to resistance
January 1, 2002
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Philip Zimbardo becomes APA President
2002-01-01
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Amnesty International sends letter of concern to DoD's Rumsfeld
January 7, 2002
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John Yoo/Jay Bybee memos: international law doesn’t bind Bush
2002-01-09
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First detainees sent to Guantanamo (GTMO) detention facility in Cuba
2002-01-11
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Rumsfeld: GTMO detainees are "unlawful combatants" with no Geneva protections
January 11, 2002
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International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) begins visits to Guantanamo
January 18, 2002
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Bush: detainees are "unlawful combatants" and Geneva Conventions do not apply
2002-02-07
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U.S. officials: Guantanamo will be long-term prison camp
2002-02-12
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Center for Constitutional Rights files Rasul v. Bush, arguing unlawful detention
2002-02-19
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Habeas petition on behalf of GTMO detainees dismissed
February 21, 2002
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First hunger strike at Guantanamo begins
2002-02-27
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APA holds its first “Countering Terrorism” invitational conference
2002-02-28
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APA on Capitol Hill: use psychologists in counter-terrorism efforts
March 1, 2002
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CIA approves “enhanced interrogation techniques” (EITs)
2002-03-15
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Abu Zubaydah captured in Pakistan, moved to CIA black site
2002-03-28
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VP Cheney, CIA director Tenet, DoD secretary Rumsfeld et al meet re Zubaydah
2002-04-01
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Zubaydah isolated for 47 days, Mitchell & Jessen prepare torturous interrogation
2002-04-01
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Seligman gives invited lecture at SERE event; Mitchell and Jessen in attendance
2002-05-01
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SERE is an acronym for "Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape." The US government's torturous "enhanced interrogation techniques" were based in part on the "reverse-engineering" of SERE tactics; https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Dark_Side/w8-y8v99TCIC
APA encourages federal agencies to recruit behavioral scientists
June 1, 2002
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Psychologist Bryce Lefever deploys to Afghanistan and coaches interrogators
June 1, 2002
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US government claims executive authority for indefinite detentions
2002-06-08
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APA member John Leso becomes BSCT psychologist at GTMO
2002-07-01
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BSCT is an acronym for "Behavioral Science Consultation Team." A BSCT was initially composed of a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and a technician.
Bybee "torture memos" authorize so-called enhanced interrogation techniques
2002-08-01
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Zubaydah waterboarded 83 times this month alone under Mitchell, Jessen direction
August 4, 2002
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DoD recommends psychologists develop plan to "exploit detainee vulnerabilities"
August 14, 2002
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APA Council adopts more permissive Ethics Code, incorporates "Nuremberg Defense"
2002-08-21
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Morgan Banks et al host SERE meeting for Leso, GTMO interrogation personnel
2002-09-16
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Alberto Gonzales, David Addington, John Yoo et al tour Guantanamo
2002-09-25
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GTMO BSCT members John Leso and Paul Burney present SERE-based techniques memo
2002-10-02
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Torturous interrogation of Mohammed al-Qahtani begins at Guantanamo
2002-11-23
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Rumsfeld officially authorizes torturous interrogation techniques at Guantanamo
2002-12-02
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NCIS psychologist Michael Gelles objects to GTMO interrogations, alerts superior
December 15, 2002
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Washington Post: CIA treating detainees inhumanely at black sites
2002-12-26
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APA member Larry James reportedly replaces BSCT member Leso at Guantanamo
2003-01-01
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Robert Sternberg becomes APA President
2003-01-01
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Rumsfeld temporarily rescinds approval of some interrogation techniques at GTMO
January 15, 2003
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James reportedly leads transport of 3 juveniles from Bagram to GTMO
2003-02-03
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Mohammed Jawad, a minor, arrives at Guantanamo and begins 30 days' isolation
February 7, 2003
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Khalid Sheikh Mohammed waterboarded 183x by Mitchell & Jessen at CIA black site
2003-03-01
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Yoo memo provides defense for detainee abuse
2003-03-14
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US invasion of Iraq begins
2003-03-19
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GTMO Camp Delta SOP is distributed, includes 4-weeks' isolation
2003-03-28
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ICRC: mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. troops
2003-04-01
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Rumsfeld authorizes 24 techniques, including isolation
2003-04-16
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Guantanamo reaches peak detainee population of approximately 680
June 1, 2003
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APA-CIA-RAND host “Science of Deception” workshop, Mitchell and Jessen attend
2003-07-17
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Amnesty warns: Coalition forces are failing to uphold human rights in Iraq
July 23, 2003
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Guantanamo interrogation experts sent to Iraq, recommend harsher techniques
2003-08-01
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Hubbard informs APA staff member that Mitchell and Jessen are "not available"
August 6, 2003
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Email from CIA's Hubbard to APA's Geoff Mumford: "You won't get any feedback from Mitchell or Jessen. They are doing special things to special people in special places, and generally are not available." https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2069718/report.pdf (pp. 39-40)
Torturous "special interrogation plan" against Mohamedou Slahi begins at GTMO
August 13, 2003
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Mass suicide attempts by detainees at Guantanamo
2003-08-15
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For the first time, an APA science policy fellow is placed with the CIA
September 5, 2003
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ICRC warning: serious deterioration in psychological health of GTMO detainees
October 14, 2003
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Mock execution of Iraqi prisoner by US soldier reported
2003-11-01
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Diane Halpern becomes APA President
2004-01-01
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GTMO detainee Omar Khadr, 16, subjected to sleep deprivation
2004-03-01
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APA member Debra Dunivin reportedly deploys to GTMO
2004-04-01
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60 Minutes II releases photos of Abu Ghraib abuses
2004-04-27
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CIA: psychologist feedback used in designing interrogation program
2004-05-07
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APA-CIA-RAND hold “Interpersonal Deception" invitational workshop
2004-06-15
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Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, SCOTUS grants right to challenge enemy combatant status
2004-06-28
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Rasul v. Bush, SCOTUS finds detainees can challenge their detention
2004-06-28
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APA ethics director Stephen Behnke hosts private meeting with CIA & DoD reps
2004-07-01
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Mitchell Jessen and Associates reportedly has booth at APA Convention
2004-07-29
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Military commissions used at Guantanamo for first time
2004-08-24
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George W. Bush re-elected US President
2004-11-02
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Leaked ICRC report: detainee treatment “tantamount to torture” at GTMO
2004-11-30
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Mitchell Jessen and Associates hired by CIA, will receive $81M over next 4 years
January 1, 2005
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Ronald Levant becomes APA President
2005-01-01
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APA authorizes "Psychological Ethics and National Security" (PENS) task force
February 17, 2005
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PENS task force members selected, most with military-intelligence backgrounds
March 18, 2005
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Updated Guantanamo BSCT SOP, drafted by Banks and Dunivin
2005-03-28
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PENS listserv discussion begins ahead of APA task force meeting
2005-04-22
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Steven Bradbury memos again authorize waterboard, sleep deprivation, other EITs
2005-05-01
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https://www.therenditionproject.org.uk/pdf/PDF%2016%20[Bradbury%20Memo%20to%20Rizzo%20Certain%20Techniques%2010%20May%20200.pdf; https://www.therenditionproject.org.uk/pdf/PDF%2017%20[Bradbury%20Memo%20to%20Rizzo%20Combined%20Techniques%2010%20May%2020.pdf; https://www.therenditionproject.org.uk/pdf/PDF%2018%20[Bradbury%20Memo%20to%20Rizzo%2030%20May%202005].pdf
PENS listserv: APA pres-elect Gerald Koocher endorses psychologist coercive role
2005-05-05
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https://s3.amazonaws.com/propublica/assets/docs/pens_listserv.pdf (p. 13): "In this case the client is the agency, government, and ultimately the people of the nation (at risk). The goal of such psychologists' work will ultimately be the protection of others (i.e., innocents) by contributing to the incarceration, debilitation, or even death of the potential perpetrator, who will often remain unaware of the psychologists' involvement."
PENS listserv: Banks explains US government is BSCT psychologist’s client
2005-05-11
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https://s3.amazonaws.com/propublica/assets/docs/pens_listserv.pdf (p. 17): "While performing the duties related to interrogation the psychologist functions as a Command Psychologist. The client is the command and the U.S. government."
PENS listserv: James claims no abuses with psychologists present since Jan. 2003
2005-05-23
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https://s3.amazonaws.com/propublica/assets/docs/pens_listserv.pdf (p. 47): "I am very proud of the fact, it was psychologists who fixed the problems and not caused it. This is a factual statement! the fact of the matter is that since Jan 2003, where ever we have had psychologists no abuses have been reported."
Morgan Banks reportedly consults on controversial Army Field Manual revision
May 31, 2005
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Journalists/scholars report psychologists are involved in Guantanamo abuses
June 20, 2005
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APA task force on Psychological Ethics and National Security meets for 3 days
2005-06-24
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PENS Report supports psychologists’ involvement in coercive detainee operations
2005-06-26
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https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/pens.pdf:
(p. 3): "The Ethics Code is fundamentally sound in addressing the ethical dilemmas that arise in the context of national security-related work."
(p. 5): "Psychologists do not engage in behaviors that violate the laws of the United States..."
(p. 7): "Psychologists strive to ensure that they rely on methods that are effective, in addition to being safe, legal, and ethical."
APA Board adopts PENS Report in emergency session--without Council review
2005-06-29
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PENS Report released to the White House, Congress, DOD, and press
2005-07-05
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PENS listserv: Koocher seemingly dismisses APA engagement with international law
2005-07-30
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https://s3.amazonaws.com/propublica/assets/docs/pens_listserv.pdf (p. 160): "I have zero interest in entangling APA with the nebulous, toothless, contradictory, and obfuscatory treaties that comprise 'international law.' Rather, I prefer to see APA take principled stands on policy issuesd where psychology has some scientific basis for doing so."
Mitchell Jessen & Associates reportedly certified by APA to offer CE workshops
2005-08-01
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APA’s Behnke on Democracy Now!: “Psychologists obey the law”
2005-08-11
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https://www.democracynow.org/2005/8/11/psychological_warfare_a_debate_on_the : "The task force states that psychologists have an absolute ethical obligation never to violate any United States law. And then, in addition, the task force said that psychologists must adhere — and they used four words to describe psychologist involvement: safe, legal, ethical and effective."
At APA convention, Behnke reportedly says PENS names are confidential
2005-08-19
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https://s3.amazonaws.com/propublica/assets/docs/pens_listserv.pdf (p. 169): "Behnke eloquently represented our work and insured the confidentiality of the panel, despite pressure to reveal the identities of the task force members and the process that unfolded during the Task Force meetings." -- Michael Gelles
Military confirms dozens of Guantanamo detainees on hunger strike
2005-08-25
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APA falsely claims Council has endorsed PENS Report
2005-08-29
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APA's Levant reportedly visits Guantanamo
2005-10-18
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CIA destroys black site interrogation tapes
2005-11-01
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Detainee Treatment Act strips federal courts of jurisdiction over GTMO detainees
December 30, 2005
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Gerald Koocher becomes APA President
2006-01-01
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Koocher condemns critics of APA interrogation policy
2006-02-01
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http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb06/pc.aspx : "A number of opportunistic commentators masquerading as scholars have continued to report on alleged abuses by mental health professionals."
United Nations experts concerned over degrading treatment at Guantanamo
2006-02-16
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Military confirms force-feeding, restraint chairs at Guantanamo
2006-02-21
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United Nations: Guantanamo undermines fundamental human rights
February 27, 2006
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250 medical leaders condemn force-feeding at Guantanamo
2006-03-10
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American Psychiatric Association votes against participation in interrogations
2006-05-20
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Military alters BSCT composition, will use only psychologists
2006-06-06
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3 Guantanamo detainees die under mysterious circumstances
2006-06-10
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AMA declares physician participation in interrogations to be unethical
2006-06-12
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UN human rights experts call for closure of Guantanamo
June 14, 2006
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CIA’s Mitchell reportedly resigns from APA with ethics complaint pending
2006-06-28
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Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, SCOTUS: US must comply with Geneva Conventions
2006-06-29
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APA's Behnke lauds psychologists' "unique competencies" as safety officers
2006-07-01
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Center for Constitutional Rights issues report on torture at Guantanamo
July 1, 2006
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APA Council issues resolution against torture, but with US reservations
2006-08-10
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https://www.apa.org/about/policy/2006-torture-archived.pdf; Note: “…BE IT RESOLVED, that the term ‘cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment’ means treatment or punishment by a psychologist that…is of a kind that would be ‘prohibited by the Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, as defined in the United States Reservations, Declarations and Understandings to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment done at New York, December 10, 1984’”
Army Surgeon General tells APA Council psychology is important “weapons system”
2006-08-10
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14 "high value" detainees moved to Guantanamo from CIA black sites
September 2, 2006
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Bush acknowledges black sites, calls for legislation to limit detainee rights
2006-09-06
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Revised Army Field Manual is released, contains controversial Appendix M
September 6, 2006
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Military Commissions Act of 2006 strips detainees of habeas corpus rights
October 17, 2006
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Army BSCT memo includes PENS Report
2006-10-20
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Anti-torture activists begin “Withhold APA Dues” effort
2006-10-23
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VP Cheney calls waterboarding a “no-brainer"
2006-10-27
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Anti-torture activists form Psychologists for an Ethical APA
November 1, 2006
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Psychologists for an Ethical APA begin “Withhold APA Dues” campaign
November 12, 2006
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APA's Koocher, Behnke reportedly visit Guantanamo
2006-11-13
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Sharon Brehm becomes APA President
2007-01-01
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ICRC report on treatment of 14 detainees in CIA custody sent to US government
February 1, 2007
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Ethics complaint filed with APA against former Guantanamo BSCT John Leso
2007-04-15
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Coalition for an Ethical Psychology is officially formed
2007-06-01
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At this time, Mitchell Jessen & Associates now has over 50 employees
July 1, 2007
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Bush executive order: detainees not entitled to Geneva protections
July 20, 2007
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APA Council passes anti-torture resolution with loopholes
2007-08-19
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APA Council rejects moratorium on psychologist involvement in interrogations
2007-08-19
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Ethics complaint filed with APA against former BSCT member Larry James
December 5, 2007
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APA Ethics Office reportedly closes complaint against Larry James
December 30, 2007
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Alan Kazdin becomes APA President
2008-01-01
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John Durham appointed to investigate CIA tape destruction
2008-01-02
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Former ethics committee chair Ken Pope resigns from APA
2008-02-07
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APA Council amends/strengthens 2007 torture resolution in response to criticisms
February 22, 2008
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Ethics complaint against Larry James filed with Louisiana Board
February 29, 2008
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Last detainee transferred to Guantanamo
March 1, 2008
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Louisiana Board closes Larry James complaint, citing statute of limitations
March 28, 2008
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Charges dismissed against tortured GTMO detainee Mohammed al-Qahtani
2008-05-09
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APA leaders receive Petition Resolution from dissident members
June 1, 2008
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Boumediene v. Bush, SCOTUS: habeas corpus applies
2008-06-12
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Major General Antonio Taguba: Bush Administration committed war crimes
2008-06-19
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Report: BSCT psychologist Diane Zierhoffer refuses to testify in court re Jawad
2008-08-14
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Dept of Defense offers talking points against APA members’ Petition Resolution
2008-08-22
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APA members approve Petition Resolution, but leadership deems it unenforceable
September 17, 2008
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Barack Obama elected US President
2008-11-04
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Ethics complaint filed with Alabama Board against Zierhoffer
2008-11-21
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APA advisory group on Petition Resolution issues report
December 1, 2008
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Alabama Board rejects ethics complaint against Diane Zierhoffer
2008-12-18
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James Bray becomes APA President
2009-01-01
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US official acknowledges torture of al-Qahtani
2009-01-14
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Obama signs orders to end "enhanced interrogation techniques" and close GTMO
2009-01-22
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APA Council adopts Petition Resolution, but it is deemed unenforceable
February 21, 2009
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Obama releases Office of Legal Counsel torture memos, promises no prosecutions
2009-04-16
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Senate committee releases report on detainee treatment
April 22, 2009
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Psychologist Bryce Lefever says harsh interrogations justified in NPR interview
2009-05-04
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PENS listserv becomes publicly available
2009-05-08
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Former APA president Joseph Matarazzo served on CIA professional standards board
2009-06-22
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APA Council calls for Ethics Code changes to better protect human rights
August 5, 2009
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UN official Manfred Nowak calls for removal of psychologists from Guantanamo
2009-08-07
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Military Commissions Act of 2009 passes, due process concerns remain
October 28, 2009
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Carol Goodheart becomes APA President
2010-01-01
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Goodheart condemns critics' outrage over detainee issues
2010-01-01
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http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/01/pc.aspx : "The effect on APA is damaging when members and the public believe the distortions. I think we can address the issues surrounding our communication and relationships successfully if enough of us care to do so. How? Not by creating more rules. Not by conjuring up a Patronus to shield us from the Dementors. Let's turn down the temperature on outrage. Our differences matter, but our common goals matter more."
APA Council amends Ethics Code standard 1.02 to protect human rights
February 20, 2010
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https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2010/02/ethics-code; https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index :
1.02, Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority
"If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psychologists clarify the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code and take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict consistent with the General Principles and Ethical Standards of the Ethics Code. Under no circumstances may this standard be used to justify or defend violating human rights."
Physicians for Human Rights publishes “Experiments in Torture”
2010-06-07
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https://phr.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Experiments_in_Torture.pdf (p. 3): "Health professionals working for and on behalf of the CIA monitored the interrogations of detainees, collected and analyzed the results of those interrogations, and sought to derive general- izable inferences to be applied to subsequent interrogations. Such acts may be seen as the conduct of research and experi- mentation by health professionals on prisoners, which could violate accepted standards of medical ethics, as well as do- mestic and international law. These practices could, in some cases, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Ethics complaint filed with Texas Board against James Mitchell
2010-06-16
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Ethics complaint filed with NY Office of Professional Discipline against Leso
2010-07-07
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Ethics complaint filed with Ohio Board against Larry James
2010-07-07
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NY Office of Professional Discipline denies jurisdiction in Leso complaint
2010-07-28
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https://casetext.com/case/reisner-v-cantone/ : Letter from Louis S. Cantone, director of the Office of Professional Discipline claims "no legal basis for instituting an investigation into Dr. Leso's activities while in the military service of the United States...it does not appear that the conduct complained of constitutes the practice of psychology as understood in the State of New York.”
APA publishes “Ethical Practice in Operational Psychology,” offers CE credit
2010-08-01
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DOJ declines to prosecute in tape destruction case
2010-11-09
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Center for Justice & Accountability petitions NY court in Leso complaint
2010-11-29
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Officials: CIA gave Mitchell and Jessen $5M legal shield
2010-12-17
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Melba Vasquez becomes APA President
2011-01-01
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Congress blocks transfer of Guantanamo detainees to United States
January 7, 2011
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Ohio Board refuses to act in case against James
2011-01-26
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Texas Board dismisses complaint against Mitchell, claims insufficient evidence
2011-02-10
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Ohio Board challenged on failure to discipline James
2011-04-13
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Osama bin Laden killed in US raid
2011-05-01
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Premiere screening of “Doctors of the Dark Side” by Martha Davis
2011-05-16
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NY judge declines to order inquiry over Leso’s GTMO role
2011-08-11
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Coalition begins campaign to annul the PENS Report
September 27, 2011
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Suzanne Bennett Johnson becomes APA President
2012-01-01
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APA-supported "grassroots" task force defends PENS Report
February 21, 2012
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Coalition: "adversarial operational psychology" is unethical for psychologists
July 26, 2012
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Barack Obama re-elected US President
2012-11-06
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Donald Bersoff becomes APA President
2013-01-01
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Ohio court dismisses complaint against James on procedural grounds
June 26, 2013
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APA Council adopts "comprehensive policy," rescinds PENS Report
July 31, 2013
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United Nations expert deplores continuing human rights violations at Guantanamo
October 3, 2013
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APA Ethics Office declines to sanction Guantanamo psychologist Leso
December 31, 2013
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Nadine Kaslow becomes APA President
2014-01-01
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Coalition responds to APA's non-sanctioning of Leso
February 10, 2014
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APA defends no sanctions against Guantanamo BSCT Leso
February 20, 2014
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Obama acknowledges US torture but describes some perpetrators as "real patriots"
August 1, 2014
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https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/01/press-conference-president : "We did a whole lot of things that were right, but we tortured some folks. We did some things that were contrary to our values...And it’s important for us not to feel too sanctimonious in retrospect about the tough job that those folks had. And a lot of those folks were working hard under enormous pressure and are real patriots."
James Risen publishes book "Pay Any Price," implicates APA
October 14, 2014
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APA responds to Risen's book "Pay Any Price"
October 16, 2014
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Coalition rebuts APA claims regarding Risen's "Pay Any Price"
October 21, 2014
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APA hires David Hoffman of Sidley Austin law firm to conduct independent review
November 12, 2014
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UN committee concerned over abusive techniques in Army Field Manual Appendix M
November 14, 2014
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Senate committee releases report about CIA torture, includes Mitchell and Jessen
December 9, 2014
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Barry Anton becomes APA President
2015-01-01
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"All the President's Psychologists" details APA links with CIA
April 30, 2015
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Independent Review ("Hoffman Report") released, details secret collaboration
July 10, 2015
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APA announces retirements and resignation of some senior leaders
July 14, 2015
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APA apologizes to international psychologists re disturbing report findings
July 21, 2015
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APA apologizes to its members after disturbing Hoffman Report findings
July 24, 2015
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APA Council votes against participation in national security interrogations
August 7, 2015
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https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2015/08/psychologist-interrogations; https://www.apa.org/independent-review/psychologists-interrogation.pdf; https://www.apa.org/independent-review/council-votes-interrogations.pdf; https://www.apa.org/independent-review/key-provisions-policy; https://www.democracynow.org/2015/8/10/no_more_torture_world_s_largest
AMENAPSY psychologists send open letter regarding APA's failures
August 14, 2015
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APA receives revised version of Hoffman Report
September 4, 2015
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After meeting, "Brookline Principles" on ethical operational psychology released
September 20, 2015
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ACLU files lawsuit against Mitchell and Jessen on behalf of CIA detainees
October 13, 2015
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Susan McDaniel becomes APA President
2016-01-01
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DoD sends letter of concern to APA about limits on psychologists' roles
January 8, 2016
% complete
Former Ethics Committee chairs send open letter regarding Hoffman Report
February 16, 2016
% complete
APA creates Ethics Commission to review processes and procedures
February 26, 2016
% complete
Former ethics committee chairs send open letter of concern re Hoffman Report
May 15, 2016
% complete
APA past presidents send open letter of concern regarding Hoffman Report
June 11, 2016
% complete
APA Ethics Code Standard 3.04 is revised
August 3, 2016
% complete
After 14 years, Mohamedou Ould Slahi released from Guantanamo
October 17, 2016
% complete
Donald Trump is elected US President
2016-11-08
% complete
Antonio Puente becomes APA President
2017-01-01
% complete
5 plaintiffs file lawsuit against APA and Hoffman, claiming defamation
February 16, 2017
% complete
APA's Ethics Commission releases final report
August 1, 2017
% complete
Confidential settlement reached in ACLU lawsuit against Mitchell and Jessen
August 17, 2017
% complete
3 military psychologists file APA ethics complaint against Coalition member
September 20, 2017
% complete
Coalition member Steven Reisner responds to ethics complaint
November 27, 2017
% complete
APA Ethics Office dismisses complaint against Coalition's Steven Reisner
December 29, 2017
% complete
Jessica Henderson Daniel becomes APA President
2018-01-01
% complete
Senate confirms Gina Haspel as CIA director, despite role in overseeing torture
May 17, 2018
% complete
APA Council rejects military psychologists' effort to return to Guantanamo
August 8, 2018
% complete
DoD sends APA letter of concern regarding restrictions on psychologists' roles
August 9, 2018
% complete
APA president reassures DoD: restrictions on psychologists' roles unenforceable
September 21, 2018
% complete
Rosie Phillips Davis becomes APA President
2019-01-01
% complete
DoD directive authorizes psychologist roles in detainee interrogations
September 5, 2019
% complete
Sandra Shullman becomes APA President
2020-01-01
% complete
DC Superior Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against APA, Hoffman
March 12, 2020
% complete
Joe Biden elected US President
2020-11-03
% complete
Jennifer Kelly becomes APA President
2021-01-01
% complete
APA sends letter to Biden supporting Guantanamo closure
May 12, 2021
% complete
20th anniversary of September 11th terrorist attacks
September 11, 2021
% complete
Frank Worrell becomes APA President
2022-01-01
% complete
Operational psychologists seek APA approval for expansive practice guidelines
January 4, 2022
% complete
United Nations on Guantanamo: "unrelenting human rights violations"
January 10, 2022
% complete
20th anniversary of Guantanamo's opening
January 11, 2022
% complete
GTMO torture survivor Mohammed al-Qahtani repatriated to Saudi Arabia
Mar 7, 2022
% complete
Groups call on APA to apologize to torture victims and provide reparations
June 26, 2022
% complete
Thema Bryant becomes APA President
Jan 1, 2023
% complete
21st anniversary of opening of Guantanamo, where 35 prisoners remain
January 11, 2023
% complete
UN official calls for US to apologize for torture, provide redress, and improve GTMO healthcare
Jun 26, 2023
% complete
APA Council approves ethically fraught practice guidelines for operational psychology
Aug 2, 2023
% complete
Confession obtained via torture rejected by GTMO military commission judge
Aug 18, 2023
% complete
Biden rejects proposed conditions for plea deals in 9/11 case
Sep 6, 2023
% complete
Judge rules 9/11 defendant not fit for death-penalty trial
Sep 21, 2023
% complete