From Scott Horton at Harper’s…
“The evidence is sitting on the table,” he stated. “There is no avoiding the fact that this was torture.” He pointed to the U.S. undertakings under the Convention Against Torture in which the country committed that it would criminally prosecute anyone who tortured, or extradite the person to a state that would prosecute him. “The government of the United States is required to take all necessary steps to bring George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld before a court,” Nowak said.
…
Law professor Dietmar Herz clarifies that under U.S. and international law, George W. Bush bears personal responsibility for the introduction of torture. From the point of his departure from office, head of state immunity terminates, and under clear principles of international law, the United States is obligated to commence a criminal investigation and then a prosecution.
In related news, top Congressional Democrats, including Senators Reid, Levin and Whitehouse, as well as Representatives Pelosi, Hoyer and Conyers have all indicated recently, in various forms, interest in investigations and/or accountability for various Bush crimes, which, reports Jason Leopold at Public Record, amounts to a growing consensus among Dems to approve a probe into torture allegations, and perhaps more.
UPDATE 1/26/09: In an interview with CNN, Nowak said he believes there is already enough evidence to prosecute fomer SecDef Don Rumsfeld:
RAW STORY has the video of the CNN interview with Nowak…
WOW, that was MOM upside down ya know!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Scott Horton.
This will be an interesting chapter to watch unfold. Under International law the US has not exactly adhered to such treaties and doctrines with any consistency, however even prior to reading this I have heard rumblings from within the US about possible prosecutions for torture of lower echelon Bush administration officials. Stay tuned….
They should bag every one of them at the AEI and board the place up.
Them and K street which prevents the peoples voice from being heard
I will believe it when I see it.
When the trials are broadcast on CSPAN I will grab some popcorn and enjoy myself immensely.
Until then I say BS.
Democrats are simply just too worthless & disgustingly spineless to do what “must” be done.
Hear, hear, Flo and Nunyabiz!
I wish it were otherwise sometimes, but the U.N. cannot force us to put one of our citizens on trial. However, if the Hague brings charges, and Rummie, or one of the other criminals sets foot in one of the European Countries that are signatories, they may find their freedom infringed upon (and I will laugh, laugh, laugh).
if we don’t investigate then we are accessories.