[JURIST] The US House of Representatives [official website] early Monday morning passed legislation that would ban the torture of terror detainees and would require that detainees in US custody be treated humanely. The military spending bills also contain provisions that would limit the ability of Guantanamo Bay [JURIST news archive] detainees to challenge their detention in federal court and would allow information obtained through coercion to be used against Gitmo detainees. The appropriations bills now go before the Senate for final approval on Monday, and if passed by the Senate will go to President Bush for his signature. The torture ban was first proposed by Sen. John McCain [JURIST report] and was added to the Senate version of the spending bill [JURIST report] in October. The White House had resisted the amendment [policy statement, PDF], but last week finally endorsed [JURIST report] the torture ban. Reuters has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Rights group warns McCain torture ban may be undercut by Graham amendment
• White House to accept McCain torture ban
• House backs proposed torture ban
• Army interrogation proposals could impede talks on detainee amendment
• Frist warns against Alito filibuster, predicts anti-torture deal
• House, Senate continue talks on torture amendment to defense bill

ALSO ON JURIST  Topic: Torture | Text: McCain detainee treatment amendment | Text: Graham-Levin detainee judicial review amendment