UN Demands Prosecution For U.S. Torture
Top United Nations officials want anyone who authorized or carried out torture on behalf of the United States to be prosecuted.
[su_center_ad]
It’s not clear, however, how human rights officials think these prosecutions will take place, since the Justice Department has declined to prosecute and the U.S. is not a member of the International Criminal Court.
Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said it’s “crystal clear” under international law that the United States, which ratified the U.N. Convention Against Torture in 1994, now has an obligation to ensure accountability.
“In all countries, if someone commits murder, they are prosecuted and jailed. If they commit rape or armed robbery, they are prosecuted and jailed. If they order, enable or commit torture — recognized as a serious international crime — they cannot simply be granted impunity because of political expediency,” he said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hopes the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA’s harsh interrogation techniques at secret overseas facilities is the “start of a process” toward prosecutions, because the “prohibition against torture is absolute,” Ban’s spokesman said.
Ben Emmerson, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, said the report released Tuesday shows “there was a clear policy orchestrated at a high level within the Bush administration, which allowed (it) to commit systematic crimes and gross violations of international human rights law.”[su_csky_ad]
Kim Serrahn December 11th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Sauce for the goose.
edmeyer_able December 11th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
While I agree with the prosecution of those who initiated and conducted the torture program in the US I would also ask when the UN will get around to prosecuting those for the atrocities committed by isis & syria for starters.
Khary A December 11th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Agreed the UN seems to have all the gumption ( where did that word come from?) when it comes to the US in making demands and casting accusations etc. but when it comes to commander head taker and his cohort they appear rather sheepish.
GreatLakeSailor December 11th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Well, since the US of A has a wholly dysfunctional system of justice, it’s good that someone is calling for action…though I doubt anything will come of the UN’s call for justice.
tiredoftea December 11th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
It’s really too bad that the UN is not the all powerful organization that the fringe right thinks it is!
tracey marie December 11th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
t would be nice to see that snarl/sneer wiped off his face
Guy Lauten December 11th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
According to the old adage “Shoot the lawyers first” I say start with Yoo and Bybee. Save Dick for last.
edmeyer_able December 11th, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Maybe a few European countries could try gwb and dc in absentia so there would be a warrant out for their incarceration should they ever set foot out of the US.
Khary A December 11th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Awww but we WANT them to leave here man. Dammit this is frustrating.
whatthe46 December 11th, 2014 at 5:47 pm
i smile at the thought.
Candide Thirtythree December 12th, 2014 at 1:09 am
Cheney almost got nabbed in Canada and had to be secreted out of the country because he was going to be taken to the Hague!
Neither of them can travel freely any more, they can only go to countries that won’t try to turn them over for their war crimes.
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 3:46 am
Notice they don’t talk about that…another gopee dirty little secret
No way out December 11th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
I’ll never forget the image of that little hag with the leash
Foundryman December 11th, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Cheney must think they’re coming for him since he threw Junior under the bus. If he’s going down, he ain’t going down alone!!!
Oh I so hope these traitors get what they deserve…
Wayout December 11th, 2014 at 7:49 pm
That den of despots and dictators has no right to demand anything of anyone. I say it’s time that that chamberpot that sits near the river in NYC leaves our sacred shores. Enough is enough!
burqa December 11th, 2014 at 8:25 pm
We should follow our own law and the obligations we agreed to under the Geneva Conventions, which we played a key role in writing.
I remember a time when conservatives were proud to be considered as being in favor of law and order.
That kinda waned after the leader of the bunch known for being in favor of law and order vacated the White House before his term was up…….
Obewon December 11th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
The USA is the founding member and “Host country” for all 193 member countries of the United Nations: United States of America – Oct 24, 1945 (original UN member) http://geography.about.com/od/politicalgeography/a/unmembercountries.htm Your Pope Francis decrees that you John Tarter/Wayout are hereby excommunicated as a despicable disgrace to the entire human race and beyond any redemption whatsoever. Burn in Hell Wayout while being waterboarded with boiling water throughout eternity, while being fed anally as the torturing scumbags you were dumb enough to reelect, inflicted on untried and uncharged detainees turned in for GWB/Cheney’s ‘reward money’ by the drug dealers and jealous neighbors who profited from their incarceration by stealing their land and businesses. Enjoy your Karma:)
Wayout December 12th, 2014 at 7:22 am
And you libs say you are the tolerant ones.
Obewon December 12th, 2014 at 7:25 am
Blame yourself for Pope Francis coming to PA, to personally excommunicate you! That’s why you fled to Floriduh.
fahvel December 11th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
if they leave they should take all morons like yourself with them – you want to live in a state of isolation without anyone giving a shit about you, stay home in your hole.
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 3:44 am
Moron
Wayout December 12th, 2014 at 7:38 am
So whose your favorite despot? Is it the racist Mugabe from Zimbabwe who at age 90 will not relinquish power? The Ayatollah from Iran who tortures and kills his citizens? Assad from Syria perhaps? Or is it the dictator from North Korea who puts his citizens in terror camps from which there is no escape? The Communists from China who allow no political opposition? Perhaps you like the Castro brothers best? The UN is a veritable who’s who of killers and scumbags and has outlived it’s usefulness.
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 7:56 am
Reagan
Obewon December 11th, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Mr. Cheney you’re our Grand Prize Winner! You’ve won! An all expense paid trip to Europe. You and your daughter Liz Jr, with your pals W, Condi Rice, Alberto Gonzales and John Yoo will all be whisked by private jet to the Netherlands, where y’all will experience a reenactment of a WW-II Japanese and German war crimes tribunal -so real you’l swear you’ve been convicted and sentenced to hang! Have you ever been experienced? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg2segLZoeA
burqa December 11th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
We don’t have to be a member of the international court.
We are obligated under the Geneva Conventions to prosecute those who tortured and abused prisoners.
I believe treaties carry the weight of law under the Constitution and therefore Holder doesn’t really have a choice.
I also believe the woman pictured, with the leash, was prosecuted for Abu Ghraib.
Obewon December 11th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
The UN’s permanent warcrimes tribunal was only agreed to, and approved during GWB’s torturing Cheney admin if the USA was held harmless for any torture and warcrimes up to approximately 1/20/2009.
fahvel December 11th, 2014 at 8:41 pm
and dragged behind a slew of horses with diarrhea.
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 3:43 am
Lets give George II and all the members of Murder Inc, a free trip to the Hague…
Wayout December 12th, 2014 at 7:28 am
And Pelosi, and Feinstein, and Biden, and Clinton and every other Democrat who was informed of what was going on and raised not one peep of outrage. It’s called complicity, being part of a conspiracy. I believe the case could be made.
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 7:32 am
Sort of happened post 9/11 moron
edmeyer_able December 12th, 2014 at 7:34 am
You also believe republicans have YOUR interests in mind when they govern so that kind of tells us your credibility is shot.
Obewon December 12th, 2014 at 7:49 am
You believe Cheney, that Darth and the CIA accurately informed any Dems on the senate intelligence committee, that the Cheney Admin was committing “Illegal torture”? Even Chief Justice Robert’s conservative SCOTUS ruled Torture is constitutionally illegal on any U.S. base, U.S. embassy, Navy vessel and in USA’s leased base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba! GWB / Cheney torture supporters will rot in Hell with anal probes feeding y’all. Palinbrawl / Cheney until 2016~
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 3:44 am
Arrest on site warrants issued??
rg9rts December 12th, 2014 at 3:47 am
Can I rectal feed him first?? Looking for the truth of course
fancypants December 12th, 2014 at 4:23 am
Throughout the week the tribunal was packed with legal experts and law students as witnesses gave testimony and then cross examination by the defence led by lawyer Jason Kay Kit Leon.
The court heard how
Abbas Abid, a 48-year-old engineer from Fallujah in Iraq had his fingernails removed by pliers.
Ali Shalal was attached with bare electrical wires and electrocuted and hung from a wall.
Moazzam Begg was beaten, hooded and put in solitary confinement.
Jameelah was stripped and humiliated, and was used as a human shield whilst being transported by helicopter.
——————————————————–
Not exactly covered by fox news
Great post obewon
amongoose December 12th, 2014 at 8:59 am
Will they also call for war crimes trials for leaders of countries supporting Jihadists?