Benedictine Sisters of Chicago Anti Torture Resolution

Sister Benita Coffey speaking at a press conference in support of making Chicago a torture free city

Sister Benita Coffey speaking at a press conference to announce the introduction of a resolution to make Chicago a Torture Free City to the Chicago City Council

Update!

On Wednesday January 18, the Chicago City Council unanimously passed the resolution to make Chicago a Torture Free City. The following statement was released by the Eighth Day Center, which worked with ICAT for the passage of the resolution.

Although this Resolution is not legally binding, it is significant as Chicago becomes the first city in the United States to pass any such resolution, as well as a starting point to hold those in power accountable when working towards ending torture, and providing compensation for those who are survivors of torture.

This Resolution requires that Mayor Emmanuel and the Chicago City Council stand firm against all forms of torture and inhumane treatment. It requests that Chicago officials publically declare their support for survivors of torture and hold all perpetrators of torture accountable.

The Resolution further requires that Mayor Emmanuel and the City Council of the City of Chicago affirm that all prisoners under city, state or federal government control, both domestically and internationally, must have their human rights respected, including the right to be free from torture.


	On Wednesday, January 18, Joe Moore, Alderman of the 49th Ward, which includes St. Scholastica Monastery, will introduce a resolution to make Chicago a torture free city. In keeping with the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago’s corporate stance against torture, Sister Benita Coffey spoke out in favor of the resolution at a press-conference and hearing of the City Council Committee on Human Relations held on Thursday January 12. She joined other members of the Illinois Coalition Against Torture (ICAT), politicians, lawyers, activists, and survivors of torture and their family members in condemning the practice of torture and encouraging Chicago to become the first city in the nation to officially declare itself a torturefree city.
		A group of concerned citizens gathered at a press conference in support of declaring Chicago a torture free city.

Oblate Kathlyn Myers and Sister Belinda Monahan were also in attendance along with over fifty concerned citizens, including many vowed Religious men and women. Sister Benita, quoting the National Religious Coalition Against Torture, reminded the gathering that “torture degrades everyone involved - policy-makers, perpetrators and victims.” She spoke passionately about the need to raise public awareness about torture and reflected that “cruel and inhuman treatment of any human being is contrary to the core beliefs of any major religion.” (Click here to hear another exerpt from Sister Benita's speech in front of the City Council Committee for Human Relations.)

		Many speakers addressed the effects of torture, either on themselves, their loved ones, or people they work to aid. Joe Moore, who notes that he has every reason to expect that the resolution will pass unanimously, opened the meeting suggesting that he intended to introduce the resolution, “…in the spirit of witness and reaffirming our human values.” All of the voices at the hearing spoke out strongly against torture and in support of the resolution to make Chicago a Torture Free City.
	Aldermen, including Joe Moore, and a member of his staff, listening to speakers at the hearing in favor of the resolution to make Chicago a Torture Free City.