High-Ranking U.S. Officials Among Targets of Inquiries
By Craig Whitlock / Washington Post
MADRID -- Spanish judges are boldly declaring their authority to prosecute high-ranking government officials in the United States, China and Israel, among other places, delighting human rights activists but enraging officials in the countries they target and triggering a political backlash in a nation uncomfortable acting as the world's conscience.
Judges at Spain's National Court, acting on complaints filed by human rights groups, are pursuing 16 international investigations into suspected cases of torture, genocide and crimes against humanity, according to prosecutors.
Among them are two probes of Bush administration officials for allegedly approving the use of torture on terrorism suspects, including prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The judges have opened the cases by invoking a legal principle known as universal jurisdiction, which under Spanish law gives them the right to investigate serious human rights crimes anywhere in the world, even if there is no Spanish connection.
1 comment:
Let the games begin and no wonder Cheney is losing it as he knows he will get caught in his crimes. Many other countries will join in and don't look for Obama to save the criminals. GW will plea innocent due to drugs,alcohol and lime tick. Yes the blame game will begin with everyone accusing each other.
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