Top UN torture investigator: Obama decision violates international law

[Bluebear]

VIENNA (AP) — An Austrian newspaper quotes the U.N.'s top torture investigator as saying President Barack Obama's decision not to prosecute CIA operatives who used questionable interrogation practices violates international law.

Manfred Nowak is quoted in Der Standard as saying the United States has committed itself under the U.N. Convention against Torture to make torture a crime and to prosecute those suspected of engaging in it.

Obama assured CIA operatives on Thursday they would not be prosecuted for their rough interrogation tactics of terror suspects under the former Bush administration.

Nowak also says in the newspaper interview published Saturday that a comprehensive independent investigation is needed, and that it is important to compensate victims.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4Ejd9oAFE1osxxYu3b7f9cI_7eQD97KRMP00

[EFerrari]

1. Have you seen this, too? It's starting to look like an intervention:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5484154

And, that's fine. Whatever it takes. Interventions can be supportive and they can save your life. :hi:

[Bluebear]

2. Yes indeed. Torture? Not in my name. nt

[hootinholler]

8. Checkmate in 5.

You see it's not like The President wants to pursue those who tortured, it's that his hands are tied by law.

This is exactly the sort of thing he needs to be able to move on this issue.

-Hoot

[EFerrari]

10. It's a beautiful thing!

:hi:

[walldude]

3. "questionable interrogation practices"

is that what they are calling it today? Or is it "rough interrogation tactics". Yes, I am so stupid all you have to do is change the name. Kind of like the "death tax". Torture? No we would never do that. Questionable interrogation practices.. yeah that's it.. that's the ticket!

[Life Long Dem]

4. In Der Standard...

:rofl:

[Bluebear]

5. What's so funny?

[Bluebear]

18. .

[EFerrari]

6. Do a search. The story is everywhere. nt

[biopowertoday]

7. K and R.

[Solly Mack]

9. K&R

[ProSense]

11. Nowak in January.

Flashback: U.N. special rapporteur on torture calls on U.S. to prosecute Bush and Rumsfeld.

Torture memos released, check.

International pressure, check.

Time for the Bush war criminals to lawyer up.

[Vidar]

12. K&R.

[nichomachus]

13. The UN is dead to me -- bunch of Freepers

would they rather John McCain won?????

:sarcasm:

[anonymous171]

14. What's the UN going to do about it? Write a strong letter?

:rofl: Fucking useless, as usual.

[Bluebear]

15. Glad you're amused.

[EFerrari]

17. Nowak is going to DC to talk to the administration. n/t

[SemiCharmedQuark]

19. Cool beans. Thanks!

[EFerrari]

20. Hey! Looks like the good guys are mustering to help our president!

:hi:

[Fireweed247]

16. K&R

I just wish the US cared if we were violating international law. The Geneva Conventions were completely ignored in our assault on Iraq.

[pleah]

21. K&R