Prosecute Bush, Cronies: Human Rights Watch

Group wants torture allegations investigated
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 12, 2011 10:02 AM CDT
Human Rights Watch: Prosecute George W. Bush, Cronies for Torture
US President George W. Bush makes remarks on the presidential transition as Vice President Dick Cheney (R) listens at the South Lawn of the White House November 6, 2008 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)

Human Rights Watch wants George W. Bush and his top officials prosecuted for war crimes and criminal conspiracy, the Guardian reports. In a new report, the US group calls for foreign governments to move forward with the prosecution if the Obama administration does not investigate. In addition to allegations of torture and prisoner mistreatment, the report also accuses the Bush administration's legal team of conspiring to prepare invalid opinions authorizing such abuses.

US authorities are legally obligated to investigate such claims but are failing to do so, the report asserts, naming Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and ex-CIA director George Tenet as likely fellow co-defendants. Though the torture allegations are not new, the report notes growing evidence of the claims, including the release of previously classified information, a leaked report detailing illegal practices, and admissions from Bush and others. Human Rights Watch also wants Condoleezza Rice, John Ashcroft, and administration lawyers examined. (More George W. Bush stories.)

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