Recently confirmed attorney general, Alberto Gonzales is under pressure from the ACLU to show his commitment to justice by immediately appointing an outside special counsel to investigate and prosecute any criminal acts by civilians in the torture or abuse of detainees by the U.S. government.

"Alberto Gonzales must demonstrate his willingness to uphold the oath of office as attorney general by appointing an independent special counsel that will credibly investigate and prosecute the high-level government officials who were responsible for allowing torture and abuse to take place," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero.

After three days of rigorous debate, the Senate confirmed Gonzales on a vote of 60 to 36, one of the narrowest confirmation votes ever for an attorney general. The ACLU noted that a recurring concern raised by senators was the Bush administration's policies on the torture and abuse of detainees. At his confirmation hearing, Gonzales failed to adequately answer questions from senators of both parties about his involvement with those policies and their implementation.

Read the ACLU's letter to the Senate urging a special counsel:
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?orgid=n&ID=17374&c=206&MX=1884&H=1

Take Action! Urge Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to appoint an independent counsel for torture abuses and to release all torture related documents!
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?orgid=n&ID=17420&c=206&MX=1884&H=1