At its annual meeting last month, the American Psychological Association (APA) adopted a resolution reaffirming its position against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Among those whom psychologists must protect, the organisation included "enemy combatants" - the term the US administration uses for suspected terrorists. It said that neither war, political instability, public emergency nor any laws, regulations or orders can ever justify torture or abuse. It banned its members from taking part in any of a long list of interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, sexual or religious humiliation, the use of psychotropic drugs, hooding, aggressive dogs, physical assault and threats of harm or death.
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