United Nations committee asked to investigate Canada's reluctance to arrest George W. Bush

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      A legal group has alleged that Canada has repeatedly violated the United Nations Convention Against Torture by not arresting and prosecuting former president George W. Bush on his visits to this country.

      Lawyers Against the War has filed a 17-page report to the Committee Against Torture. On May 21 and 22 in Geneva, the committee is scheduled to review Canada's compliance with its international obligation to prevent and punish torture.

      The report mentions six visits by Bush to Canada after leaving office in 2008, but focuses particular attention on trips to Calgary and Surrey. On October 20, 2011, Bush appeared at the Surrey Regional Economic Summit with former president Bill Clinton.

      "On both occasions, LAW sent letters to the Prime Minister and ministers of Justice, Immigration, Public Safety, and Foreign Affairs advising them of Canada's legal duties to take effective measures to prevent and punish the torture authorized and directed by the Bush administrations and to ensure that Bush not receive safe haven in Canada from prosecution for torture," the report states. "LAW advised of the obligation to bar Bush, as an alleged torturer, from entering Canada pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act."

      On October 20 of last year, RCMP Cpl. Drew Grainger told the Straight that Bush police had "no lawful authority" to arrest Bush.

      The U.S.-based Center for Constitutional Rights and the Canadian Centre for International Justice have filed a joint report to the committee claiming that Canada's failure to arrest, investigate, and prosecute Bush for torture amounts to a violation of the convention and denied remedies to victims of torture.

      Prior to Bush's visit to Surrey, the two groups held a news conference at the Vancouver Public Library central branch, where they placed stacks of documents on the table demonstrating grounds for the arrest of the ex-president.

      Meanwhile, LAW is seeking amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada to prevent the country's attorney general (Rob Nicholson) from preventing the prosecution of Bush and other foreign nationals for torture.

      LAW has also recommended education and training for law-enforcement personnel about Canada's obligations under international law, as well as investigations to determine who was responsible for permitting Bush to enter Canada with impunity.

      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      10 Comments

      blueheron

      May 15, 2012 at 4:36pm

      The goal of the U.N. is global governance. Period.

      2nd nation

      May 15, 2012 at 8:19pm

      Breaking news! A committee is asked to consider something! Do not sleep until this world-shaking development has concluded!

      DR

      May 15, 2012 at 9:39pm

      Get real Charlie, your stuff is getting more nonsensical by the week.

      Chinese Dude

      May 16, 2012 at 2:05am

      I hold great admiration for the Canadian justice system, even though RCMP refused to arrest the prick. To be able to protest against crimes against humanity freely is quite a blessing, would be unthinkable in places like Communist China.

      miguel

      May 16, 2012 at 9:13am

      Get JTF2 to do an extraction and rendition to Brussels.
      Miguel

      Etvlan

      May 16, 2012 at 2:53pm

      g.w. bush should be arrested and waterboarded with my urine, but sadly it will not happen until our asskissing torie governement parts with the whitehouse assholes.

      Etvlan

      May 17, 2012 at 8:57am

      If at least I did not have to see his foul rat face every time there is an article about the war criminal it would be easier for me to wipe out the vomit from my keypad.

      Gloria

      May 19, 2012 at 2:04pm

      Luis Moreno-Ocampo, ICC's Chief Prosecutor, is to summons Harper for war crimes and crimes against humanity. I would doubt Harper would ever arrest Bush. Harper would have to arrest himself too. Harper was refused a seat in the U.N. They didn't want Harper in the, Trans Pacific Trade Group either. At every meeting of the Nations. Harper is the trouble maker every time. They are sick of Harper's bullying and hissy fits, when he doesn't get his own way. Harper always manages to insult, every country present.

      There are so many law suits against Harper, I have lost count. The Etioboke Center election, was declared null and void by the courts. No doubt Harper has to appeal, he can't afford not too. I think Elections Canada is soon to report their findings too. Harper is desperately trying to quash the robo-call investigation. Kinda tells us something, does it not? Helena Geurgis and her husband, were cleared by police, they did no wrong doings. Helena is suing Harper. The war Veterans are suing Harper. I think I read somewhere, the F.N. may sue Harper for crimes against humanity. And of course, the ICC Chief Prosecutor's charges against Harper.

      Harper is dropping so low in the polls, he may soon vanish from sight.

      The Campbell/Clark BC Liberals, are also vanishing from the polls. Boessenkool, even tries to get the Conservatives to join the BC Liberals, to keep out the NDP. We know the Campbell/Clark BC Liberals all work for Harper. Boessenkool was placed in with the BC Liberals. I don't think he is having much luck.

      Birdy

      May 20, 2012 at 3:11am

      Why are these zombified trolls still obsessed with Bush?

      The current president of America is still torturing the shit out of people, and has completely legalized the secret arrest, torture, and execution of American citizens with the NDAA.

      But hey, he's pretty and talks real sexy-like, so who gives a shit right? Preemptive war is now referred to as "limited humanitarian kinetic action", how fuzzy and warm is that?

      How can you not support something as innocent as dropping depleted uranium-tipped Tomahawk democracy devices on anyone who wants to sell their oil for Yen or gold, instead of US dollars, which aren't even worth the blood they're soaked in?

      Slide a silk glove over the iron fist, and the left goes to sleep and worships war like it's a hip new social program.

      While we stand, Bambie-eyed, frozen in the middle of the road as a luxury sedan named Tyranny speeds towards us, we bicker. Is it a Mercedes or a BMW? Which brand is to blame for our impending end? We are beyond domesticated. Collectively, we have apparently misplaced our will to live.

      mr Goodspin

      May 20, 2012 at 12:41pm

      I'd say the power's that be are just scared too, plain and simple. Canada is scared too arrest Bush because of the diplomatic fallout - and then the following world attention and American black op invasion to get him back (HA) - It won't happen in the next five to ten if ever.Do you really think Steven Harper and CISIS would allow the Law to stamp that order and then go enforce it?
      If by some chance it was approved it would be tipped to the Bush camp ten min later and he'd never travel to Canada again. So whats the point? Waste of time, $$$ and power.
      MAYBE WE COULD GET HIM EXTRADITED TO CANADA LIKE MARK EMERY STYLE!! Yeah, smoke another one people....................................................(FREE MARK EMERY)