An OLC memo addressing whether certain enhanced interrogation techniques used by the CIA are consistent with the United States's obligations under Article 16 of the United Nations Convention Agsinst Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and concluding that “the use of these techniques, subject to the CIA’s careful screening criteria and limitation and its medical safeguards, is consistent with the United States obligations under Article 16.” The primary justification is that the interrogations take place outside the jurisdiction of the United States. Other repeated justifications for these techniques are that there is no risk of serious physical or psychological pain and that "the enhanced techniques are all adapted from techniques used by the United States on its own troops, albeit under significantly different conditions."

[On page 7 of this memo, the government disclosed the last name of a detainee - "Gul." Some suspect that this is a reference to Hassan Ghul, whose name was read into the congressional record in 2006 as a “terrorist” who was “no longer a threat to the United States.” See 152 Cong. Rec. H5482 (July 19, 2006). Others have pointed out that it might be a reference to Janat Gul.]