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Showing Original Post only (View all)Survivors File U.N. Complaint Against Canada for Failing to Prosecute George W. Bush for Torture [View all]
Last edited Wed Nov 14, 2012, 12:07 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: Center for Constitutional Rights
Survivors File U.N. Complaint Against Canada for Failing to Prosecute George W. Bush for Torture
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November 14, 2012, Vancouver and New York Today, four torture survivors filed a complaint against Canada with the United Nations Committee against Torture for the countrys failure to investigate and prosecute former President George W. Bush during his visit to British Columbia last year. As a signatory to the Convention against Torture, Canada has an obligation to investigate and prosecute a torture suspect on its soil. This is the first time a complaint concerning torture allegations against a high-level U.S. official has been filed with the U.N. Committee. The Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ) and the U.S.-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed the complaint on the mens behalf.
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The four men Hassan bin Attash, Sami el-Hajj, Muhammed Khan Tumani and Murat Kurnaz found their long quest for justice stymied in October 2011. Canadas Attorney General refused to conduct a criminal investigation against Mr. Bush, and the Attorney General of British Columbia swiftly intervened to shut down a private criminal prosecution submitted to a provincial court in her jurisdiction during Mr. Bushs visit. This occurred despite the groups submission of a 69-page draft indictment and approximately 4000 pages of evidence against Bush consisting of extensive reports and investigations conducted by multiple U.S. agencies and the United Nations.
The Committee against Torture can require Canada to explain the actions that led to the case being closed without any investigation and can then issue a decision on whether Canada has breached its obligations under the convention. If the committee finds Canada in violation, it can specify appropriate remedial measures.
Through this process, the world can learn whether Canadas actions were grounded in law or in politics. Canadas refusal to investigate and prosecute George W. Bush marked a low-point in the ongoing struggle to end impunity for torturers and denied these men the opportunity to achieve some measure of justice, said Katherine Gallagher, Senior Staff Attorney at CCR and legal representative for the men.They now call upon the Committee to send a clear message that states must uphold their obligations under the Convention against Torture and cannot allow other factors including political considerations to interfere with the commitment to end impunity for torturers.
Read more: http://ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/survivors-file-u.n.-complaint-against-canada-failing-prosecute-george-w.-bush-torture