Amnesty Calls Canada to Arrest Bush
Local Editor
Amnesty International called the Canadian federal government to arrest former US president George W. Bush when he visits British Columbia next week.
The rights body said both Canadian and international law require Canada to detain Bush and investigate him for war crimes and torture.
"It is incumbent upon Canadian officials to investigate, arrest and prosecute former president Bush for torture when he arrives in Canada a week tomorrow," said Alex Neve, Amnesty Canada's secretary general.
Bush and former US president Bill Clinton are scheduled to attend an economic conference in Surrey, next week.
Neve said many will argue that arresting Bush is unrealistic because the United States is a close and powerful ally or that the crisis after 9-11 required extraordinary measures.
Neve conceded that arresting a former president would likely cause tension with the United States, but "taking a principled step merits that sort of strain."
Reminding that Bush admitted in his memoirs that he authorized the use of torture against terror suspects, Neve stressed that "American authorities used a variety of torture methods, including water boarding, beatings and sleep deprivation."
Amnesty International called the Canadian federal government to arrest former US president George W. Bush when he visits British Columbia next week.
The rights body said both Canadian and international law require Canada to detain Bush and investigate him for war crimes and torture.
"It is incumbent upon Canadian officials to investigate, arrest and prosecute former president Bush for torture when he arrives in Canada a week tomorrow," said Alex Neve, Amnesty Canada's secretary general.
Bush and former US president Bill Clinton are scheduled to attend an economic conference in Surrey, next week.
Neve said many will argue that arresting Bush is unrealistic because the United States is a close and powerful ally or that the crisis after 9-11 required extraordinary measures.
Neve conceded that arresting a former president would likely cause tension with the United States, but "taking a principled step merits that sort of strain."
Reminding that Bush admitted in his memoirs that he authorized the use of torture against terror suspects, Neve stressed that "American authorities used a variety of torture methods, including water boarding, beatings and sleep deprivation."
"The Bush administration used euphemisms such as enhanced interrogation techniques, but these methods constituted torture. All of this was authorized and condoned and put in place through his repeated decisions," the Amesty official stated.
Neve said the international arm of Amnesty sent a lengthy brief to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson outlining the government's responsibilities under international law and urging him to act.
"This is something the entire global movement stands behind," Neve emphasized.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
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