More weasling
Also from Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Article 2:
2. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political in stability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture.
3. An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked as a justification of torture.
As currently represented, the DoD and DoJ memos in question exhibit a clear intent to violate Article 2 (2).
Declarations and Reservations made by individual States (i.e., signatory countries) upon acceptance and/or ratification can be found here. Those made by the US (scroll down the page to find the text; countries are listed alphabetically) take no exception to, nor claim exemption from, Article 2.
It remains to be seen whether authorizing a study in any Department of federal government, whose end is a violation of Article 2 (2) of this treaty, is itself a criminal act... or whether it may be construed as a high crime or misdemeanor under Article II Section 4 of the US Constitution (which applies, by the way, to "all civil Officers of the United States" as well as the President and Vice President).