[Ppnews] US to Face Torture Charge at UN

Fri May 5 12:00:34 EDT 2006

US to Face Torture Charge at UN
http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={92769768-D9B6-4C7F-9E28-F57966C64327})&language=EN

United Nations, May 5 (Prensa Latina) The US will 
be questioned Friday by the UN Committee against 
Torture on charges of mistreatment and violations 
committed by soldiers against prisoners in the so-called war on terrorism.

This is the first time the US government is 
forced to respond to an international court for 
the cases of torture in Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq, 
and at Guantanamo military base, Cuban territory illegally occupied by the US

According to a UN spokesperson, the US will be 
questioned on why secret prisons were opened as 
well as on the methods and regulations used, 
although to date Washington has neither confirmed 
nor denied these prisons, citing “intelligence concerns”.

It is as yet unknown if George W. Bush 
administration will assume responsibility for the 
denounced cases of torture committed by US agents 
outside its territory, the spokesperson stressed.

According to the UN communiqué, another important 
matter to determine is if there were any 
high-ranking officials involved in the authorization of torture.

The summons of the US to appear in court takes 
place after the release of suggestions for a 
world strategy against terrorism based on respect 
for international regulations presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Meanwhile, Washington has selected high-ranking 
officials of the Defense, Justice and Internal 
Security Departments, led by State Department 
legal council John B. Bellinger III, to respond to the court.

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