Steven G. Bradbury

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For other persons named Steven G. Bradbury, see Steven G. Bradbury (disambiguation).

Steven Bradbury is a candidate for the Office of Legal Counsel at the United States Justice Department. His candidacy is controversial, and has led Senate Democrats to keep the session open during the 2007-2008 holiday recess to prevent a recess appointment.^[1]

[edit] Controversy

As head of the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department, Bradbury signed two secret legal opinions. The papers allegedly approved severe interrogation techniques by the US government. The definition of the term "torture" comes into play concerning these techniques[1].

Asked the House to clarify Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions; he commented that it was "vague" [2][3][4][5][6]:

Article 3 describes minimal protections which must be adhered to by all individuals within a signatory's territory during an armed conflict not of an international character (regardless of citizenship or lack thereof): Noncombatants, combatants who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, including prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment. The passing of sentences must also be pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. Article 3's protections exist even if one is not classified as a prisoner of war. Article 3 also states that parties to the internal conflict should endeavour to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of GCIII.