I am a member of the Asylum Network of the Physicians for Human Rights.

The PHR is a past recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Asylum Network works with survivors of torture and other human rights violations.

As a health professional who has examined survivors of torture, I am very concerned that Alberto Gonzales may become the next attorney general of the United States.

As attorney general, Gonzales would be charged with taking aggressive steps to stop torture and rights violations. While he was White House counsel, permissive torture policies and practices were developed under his leadership.

At the recent congressional confirmation hearings he refused to acknowledge the relationship of these policies to the recently well-publicized torture and treatment of detainees. He gave no indication that he would repudiate a recent Office of Legal Counsel memorandum allowing the continued use of psychological torture, including isolation, inducement of fear and humiliation.

I have met with people who have experienced the devas-tating effects of these types of cruel actions.

Torture is immoral and illegal.

The United States prides itself on protecting and promoting human dignity. Our officials should be unequivocal on this topic.

I urge this newspaper and its readers to contact our senators to oppose the nomination of Gonzales.

Karl E. Sanzenbacher, M.D.

Frankfort