The Sednaya Prison, located in Syria, has been a hub for human rights abuses and torture for decades. The CIA’s “extraordinary rendition” program, which began in the 1990s, sent terror suspects to this prison for brutal interrogations. Over 30,000 people died at Sednaya from 2011 to 2013 alone, with many more disappearing or being executed.
The US government launched the rendition program as a means to circumvent its own laws on torture, sending suspects to countries known for their human rights abuses. The CIA partnered with several allies, including Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, to host secret detention sites. In exchange, these countries received millions of dollars in cash payments and other rewards.
Syrian survivors describe horrific torture, including sodomy, electric shocks, and cannibalism. Many were forced to confess to crimes before being executed by hanging. The program’s true extent is unclear, as the CIA has denied releasing accurate numbers.
The case of Maher Arar, a Canadian citizen wrongly detained in Syria on suspicion of al-Qaeda ties, highlights the program’s abuses. Despite clear evidence of his innocence, Arar was tortured and released without charges. The US government has consistently denied engaging in torture, but historians like Arthur Schlesinger Jr. argue that Bush’s policy has damaged the American reputation worldwide.
The CIA’s rendition program at Sednaya Prison remains a dark chapter in human history, a stark reminder of the US government’s willingness to compromise its values and laws for the sake of national security.
Source: https://www.thenation.com/article/world/torture-prisons-syria-war