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By Jeremy Diamond, CNN

updated 10:09 AM EST, Wed December 17, 2014

Hillary Clinton accepted a human rights award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights on Tuesday.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- Hillary Clinton on Tuesday weaved together the national outcry over a recent report detailing U.S. torture abroad and the nationwide protests against recent police killings of unarmed black men.

The former secretary of state said the U.S. should reaffirm a ban on torture in "both policy and law" and suggested that Congress pass legislation to make the U.S. opposition to torture absolutely clear after a scathing Senate committee report recounting years of torture of terror suspects at the hands of the CIA.

"Today we can say again, in a loud and clear voice, the United States should never condone or practice torture anywhere in the world, not under any future administration or in any future conflict," said Clinton, who is expected to launch a 2016 presidential bid. "If that requires new legislation, then Congress should work with President Obama to quickly enact it, and it should not be an issue of partisan politics."

Accepting a human rights award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, Clinton homed in on the importance of putting American values first when it comes to the criminal justice system and in the fight against terrorism.

"It is possible to keep us safe from terrorism and reduce crime and violence without relying on torture abroad or unnecessary force or excessive incarceration at home," she said. "There's no doubt that at home and abroad, America is at our best when our actions match our values."

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See the article here:
Hillary Clinton: Ban torture through U.S. law