Thank you for continuing to consider the proposal from Architects / Designers / Planners for Social Responsibility to prohibit the design of spaces intended for killing, torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (http://adpsr.org/home/ethics_reform). This is an issue that defines the limits of the civilized practice of architecture, and indeed the limits of civilized behavior itself. I appreciate that the National Ethics Council is taking the time to consider the issue thoroughly. I urge the National Ethics Council, and then the AIA national Board of Directors, to stand up for human rights and implement ADPSR’s proposal.

ADPSR’s proposal will help to clarify AIA’s current ethical position in support of human rights in light of recent events. Since you last considered the issue, two major pharmacists’ professional associations spoke out to stop their members’ participation in execution processes. Also, the United Nations published their new Mandela Rules on Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Prisoners, which make clear that prolonged solitary confinement is an unacceptable violation of human rights. And in the United States solitary confinement has been criticized or condemned by courts, prison officials, and even President Obama. Now is the time for the profession of architecture to join this movement for human rights and respect for human dignity.

Thank you again for considering ADPSR’s proposal and my signature.