Canada Urged to Arrest and Prosecute George W. Bush
Amnesty International today urged Canadian authorities to arrest and
either prosecute or extradite former US President George W. Bush for his
role in torture, ahead of his expected visit to Canada on 20 October.
“Canada is required by its international obligations to arrest and
prosecute former President Bush given his responsibility for crimes
under international law including torture,” said Susan Lee, Americas
Director at Amnesty International.
“As the US authorities have, so far, failed to bring former President
Bush to justice, the international community must step in. A failure by
Canada to take action during his visit would violate the UN Convention
against Torture and demonstrate contempt for fundamental human rights.”
Amnesty International submitted a memorandum to the Canadian
authorities on 21 September 2011 that makes a substantial case for the
former president’s legal responsibility for a series of human rights
violations.
Overview
Amnesty International today urged Canadian authorities to arrest and
either prosecute or extradite former US President George W. Bush for his
role in torture, ahead of his expected visit to Canada on 20 October.
Canada is required by its international obligations to arrest and
prosecute former President Bush given his responsibility for crimes
under international law including torture. Amnesty International
submitted a memorandum to the Canadian authorities on 21 September 2011
outlining the case for his legal responsibility. The violations took
place during the CIA's secret detention program between 2002 and 2009 –
and include torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading-treatment and
enforced disappearances. While President, George W. Bush authorized the
use of a number of “enhanced interrogation techniques” against
detainees held in the secret CIA program.
The violations took place during the CIA's secret detention program
between 2002 and 2009 – and include torture and other cruel, inhuman and
degrading-treatment and enforced disappearances.
While President, George W. Bush authorized the use of a number of
“enhanced interrogation techniques” against detainees held in the secret
CIA program.
The former President later specifically admitted to authorizing the
“waterboarding” of several individuals whose subjection to this torture
technique has been confirmed.
Detainees were subjected to waterboarding and a range of other
“enhanced interrogation techniques” – including being forced to stay for
hours in painful positions and sleep deprivation – during the CIA’s
secret detention program, set up under then-President Bush’s
authorization.
The CIA Inspector General found that Zayn al Abidin Muhammed Husayn
(known as Abu Zubaydah) and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed were subjected,
between them, to at least 266 applications of waterboarding while in
detention between 2002 and 2003.
Amnesty International’s submission also highlights further evidence of
torture and other crimes under international law committed against
detainees held under US military custody in Guantánamo, Afghanistan and
Iraq.
“This is a crucial moment for Canada to demonstrate it is prepared to
live up to its commitments and obligations with respect to human
rights,” said Susan Lee. “Canada has been a leader in efforts to
strengthen the international justice system and must now demonstrate
that when it comes to accountability for human rights violations, no one
and no country is above international law.”
