More on the move to prosecute Bush II for torture

We recently reported on the cancellation of a speaking engagement by G.W. Bush (Bush II as was) in Switzerland:

Former U.S. President George W. Bush has canceled a visit to Switzerland over fears he could have been arrested on torture charges. ... Criminal complaints against Mr Bush alleging torture have been lodged in Geneva, court officials said.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch and International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) said the cancellation was linked to growing moves told him accountable for the use of torture, including waterboarding.

He had admitted in his memoirs and TV interviews to ordering the use of the interrogation technique which simulates drowning.

This is quite a serious effort; it looks like the man has a nemesis. Here's more from the Center for Constitutional Rights (my emphasis):

Today [Feb 7, 2011], two torture victims were to have filed criminal complaints, with more than 2,500-pages of supporting material, in Geneva against former U.S. President George W. Bush, who was due to speak at an event there on 12 February. Swiss law requires the presence of the torturer on Swiss soil before a preliminary investigation can be opened. When Bush cancelled his trip to avoid prosecution, the human rights groups who prepared the complaints made it public and announced that the Bush Torture Indictment would be waiting wherever he travels next. The Indictment serves as the basis on which to prepare country-specific, plaintiff-specific indictments, with additional evidence and updated information. According to international law experts at the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and the Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), former presidents do not enjoy special immunity under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).

For a more complete (and encouraging) explanation, listen to Katherine Gallagher, senior attorney at the above-quoted Center for Constitutional Rights (and VP of the International Federation for Human Rights).

The interviewer is Sam Seder, in his Majority Report daily podcast. She also provides updates on the Spanish prosecutions of John Yoo and other (the "Bush six") starting at 11:18 in the clip.



Word to the wise: The way to get things done, is to do them. There are levers like these hanging out there just waiting to be pulled. But they aren't going to pull themselves.

Thanks to Ms. Gallagher for showing the way with these high-value opportunities (and feel free to go and do likewise).

GP