Torture prosecutions in Spain
You’ve probably seen the story in the NY Times, but if not, read it. It’s important. Note this point toward the end of the story:
This year for the first time, the United States used a law that allows it to prosecute torture in other countries. On Jan. 10, a federal court in Miami sentenced Chuckie Taylor, the son of the former Liberian president, to 97 years in a federal prison for torture, even though the crimes were committed in Liberia.
Last October, when the Miami court handed down the conviction, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey applauded the ruling and said: “This is the first case in the United States to charge an individual with criminal torture. I hope this case will serve as a model to future prosecutions of this type.”
So the US is not in any position to criticize Spain should it prosecute American torturers, such as those named in the complaint:
- Alberto Gonzales
- John Yoo
- David Addington
- William Haynes
- Jay Bybee
- Doug Feith
Note also:
The 98-page complaint, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, is based on the Geneva Conventions and the 1984 Convention Against Torture, which is binding on 145 countries, including Spain and the United States. Countries that are party to the torture convention have the authority to investigate torture cases, especially when a citizen has been abused.
