Amnesty calls on Canada to arrest Bush
Amnesty International called on Canadian authorities Wednesday to arrest and prosecute George W. Bush, saying the former US president authorized “torture” when he directed the US-led war on terror.
Bush is expected to attend an economic summit in Surrey in Canada’s westernmost British Columbia province on October 20.
In a memorandum submitted last month to Canada’s attorney general but only now released to the media, the London-based group charged that Bush has legal responsibility for a series of human rights violations.
“Canada is required by its international obligations to arrest and prosecute former president Bush given his responsibility for crimes under international law including torture,” Amnesty’s Susan Lee said in a statement.
“As the US authorities have, so far, failed to bring former president Bush to justice, the international community must step in. A failure by Canada to take action during his visit would violate the UN Convention Against Torture and demonstrate contempt for fundamental human rights,” Lee said.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney blasted Amnesty for “cherry picking cases to publicize, based on ideology.”
“This kind of stunt helps explain why so many respected human rights advocates have abandoned Amnesty International,” he said.
Kenney said it will be up to Canadian border officials to decide independently whether to allow Bush into the country.
Bush canceled a visit to Switzerland in February, after facing similar public calls for his arrest…