Media advisory: Expert available to discuss CIA 'torture report'


LAWRENCE — Raj Bhala, associate dean for International and Comparative Law and Rice Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, is available to speak with media about the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on the torture of CIA prisoners during the war on terror.

The committee released an executive summary of the report Tuesday, which spanned thousands of pages and detailed “enhanced interrogation” techniques. The report details that torture was widely used and was not highly effective in yielding information to prevent future terrorist attacks or save lives. Bhala, an expert on international trade law, has written extensively on U.S. trade policy toward the Middle East and international efforts to fight terrorism through trade. He has also written about Islamic law and taught classes with the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth. His books and articles include discussions of the links among human rights, national security, international trade law and the Shari’a. He can discuss these links and how Middle Eastern and Muslim nations view the report, U.S.-Middle East relations and other related topics.

Biography: Rice Distinguished Professor Raj Bhala has a global reputation in the scholarship of international trade law, having lectured around the world and published an acclaimed two-volume treatise, “Modern GATT Law"; a leading textbook, “International Trade Law,” and more than three dozen articles. His latest book, “Understanding Islamic Law (Shari’a),” was published by LexisNexis. Bhala practiced international banking law at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York before entering academia and currently serves as a legal consultant to Cheniere Energy and other prominent organizations and firms. He has worked in 25 countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Turkey and throughout India.

Tue, 12/09/2014

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Mike Krings

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