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Spain Launches Criminal Investigation Into US Torture at Gitmo
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by Rhonda J Mangus | May 1, 2009 at 01:56 pm
478 views | 58 Recommendations | 13 comments
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Spain Launches Criminal Investigation Into US Torture at Gitmo
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According to this report, Spain is doing what President Obama should be doing: a criminal investigation into the use of torture at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Despite rhetoric coming from the White House that Americans should look "forward not backwards" when it comes to pursuing those responsible for torture, Spain doesn't seem to be listening. Judge Balthazar Garzon, who has been pursuing a criminal case against six former Bush administration officials for torture, has now authorized a wide-ranging criminal investigation into the US torture program at Guantanamo. The recently released torture memos and declassified Senate reports, Garzon said, show that at Guantanamo there is "an authorized and systematic plan for torture and harsh treatment of people deprived of their freedom without any charges and without the most basic elemental rights for detainees, set forth and demanded by international treaties."
According to the Center for Constitutional Rights, Garzon's "writ did not name specific officials as defendants but speaks of investigating the roles of those responsible for authorizing, planning and executing the torture program, particularly in light of the newly release torture memos and the Senate Armed Services Committee report. The case could lead to arrest warrants in Europe and, according to CCR attorneys, places new pressure on the Obama administration to appoint its own special prosecutor to investigate the crimes committed by former officials."
CCR said in a statement today that new case could also include the torture memo lawyers and "may well lead to investigations of top officials," including Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney. There are at least four Spanish citizens alleged to have been tortured by the US at Guantanamo.
"The torture conspirators are in deep trouble," says CCR president Michael Ratner. "Even if the U.S. fails in its obligation to criminally investigate, Spain will. The conspirators can run, but they can't hide. It is conceivable that arrest warrants have already been issued or will be soon. Indictments will almost surely follow. The torture team's travel options are narrowing."
Read full report here. Read CCR release here
Video: Spain Considers Torture Probe of Bush Officials, here.
Related stories on NowPublic, here.
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
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Recommendations (58)
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
Barbara McPherson
Nanaimo, Canada
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
Suranee
Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
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tikun
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Mary Richard
Toronto, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 14:25 on May 1st, 2009
An interesting development for sure...
at 14:45 on May 1st, 2009
Amy, thanks for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation. I think it an interesting development too, and I am glad that Spain is not listening to the rhetoric.
at 15:58 on May 1st, 2009
Spain has courage, I am not sure though that this wont be suppressed and end up leading no where. It is a slap in the face for Obama and usually the US do not take does to well, even if they deserve them at times.
at 20:00 on May 1st, 2009
Paschen, thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation. If the media gives this matter its objective attention, there is no way it can be suppressed and justice should be served accordingly.
I think you might find the story at the link I provided to Roy, interesting.
at 18:17 on May 1st, 2009
Good news. It was the Spanish that eventually caught up with Pinochet.
at 20:04 on May 1st, 2009
Hi Barbara! Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation! Yes, very good news. And, yes, Judge Baltasar Garzon of Spain was responsible for catching up with Pinochet -- Augusto Pinochet's arrest and trial.
at 18:42 on May 1st, 2009
We already have a court in DeHague. If it is to be taken offshore that is where it should be handled.
at 19:21 on May 1st, 2009
How does this look to have the former President and his Vice arrested for torture. I admit that it was wrong no doubt. However, come on, this will not happen here in the U.S. Let's be real here. Come on.... Not going to happen.....The President and His Vice arrested and going to jail.... Yeah right! Never will happen.
at 20:34 on May 1st, 2009
CeeCee, I hope for the sake of all world citizens that you are wrong. Thank you for reading and commenting.
at 19:28 on May 1st, 2009
Cee Cee - You.re right.
at 19:36 on May 1st, 2009
Alberta, yeah it's a joke and will never happen.... Yes they should be arrested but we all know this will never happen..... The former Pres and his Vice will never be arrested ever...
at 20:53 on May 1st, 2009
It is a known fact that former presidents of the US have a certain immunity against an attempt to put them on trial for some administration policy. If this takes place every administration will be so cautious to act in the interests of the country that nothing risky will ever be undertaken in the interest of the people.
The Hague and other self-proclaimed parties for "justice" will go no where. You may hate Bush, and I was no supporter, but don't let these feelings blind you to the opening of Pandora's box.
It will come back to bite everyone in places you never suspected. You don't like the policies of the administration then vote them out. That is how it works in America and well in my opinion.
Anyone can find many actions taken in hindsight that could be used for prosecution. American Presidents often take undisclosed risks in the name of the best interests of the country. Sometimes they are poor decisions. That's how life works. We hope they will all be wise ones but any reasonable person knows that this will not always be the case.
at 02:19 on May 2nd, 2009
The problem with the whole issue is, that it is split along party lines. Those that call it torture and those that call it enhanced interrogation. Personally I think the damage was done as soon as those torture memos were released to America and the world. Later on this month more pictures will be released. Unfortunately, not all facts and evidence have been put on the table. My contention is that a pandoras box has been opened, which can.t be closed. I agree with tikun that the precedent has now been set to to slander previous administrations.