Investigation and calls for prosecution Enhanced interrogation techniques

1 investigation , calls prosecution

1.1 request special counsel probe
1.2 united nations convention against torture
1.3 binyam mohamed case

investigation , calls prosecution
request special counsel probe

on june 8, 2008, fifty-six house democrats asked independent investigation, raising possibility authorising these techniques may constitute crime bush administration officials. congressmen involved in calling such investigation included john conyers, jan schakowsky, , jerrold nadler.

the letter addressed attorney general michael b. mukasey observing that

information indicates bush administration may have systematically implemented, top down, detainee interrogation policies constitute torture or otherwise violate law.

the letter continues state:

because these apparent enhanced interrogation techniques used under cover of justice department legal opinions, need outside special prosecutor obvious.

according washington post request denied because attorney general michael b. mukasey felt that

officials acted in faith when sought legal opinions, , lawyers provided them used best judgment.

the article reported that

he warned criminalizing process cause policymakers second-guess , harm our national security future.

after cheney acknowledged involvement in authorising these tactics senator carl levin, chair of armed services committee, new york times editorial, glenn greenwald , scott horton stressed importance of criminal investigation:

a prosecutor should appointed consider criminal charges against top officials @ pentagon , others involved in planning abuse.

united nations convention against torture

shortly before end of bush s second term, news media in other countries opining under united nations convention against torture, u.s. obligated hold responsible account under criminal law.

the united nations special rapporteur on torture , other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, professor manfred nowak, on january 20, 2009 remarked on german television that, following inauguration of barack obama new president, george w. bush has lost head of state immunity , under international law u.s. mandated start criminal proceedings against involved in these violations of un convention against torture. law professor dietmar herz explained nowak s comments saying under u.s. , international law former president bush criminally responsible adopting torture interrogation tool.

binyam mohamed case

on february 4, 2009 high court of england , wales ruled evidence of possible torture in case of binyam mohamed, ethiopian-born british resident held in guantanamo bay until 2009, not disclosed public:

as result of statement david miliband, foreign secretary, if evidence disclosed stop sharing intelligence britain. directly threaten uk s national security, miliband had told court.

the judges said found difficult conceive rationale s objections releasing information, contained no disclosure of sensitive intelligence matters . adding, did not consider democracy governed rule of law expect court in democracy suppress summary of evidence contained in reports own officials .

responding ruling, david davis, conservative mp , former shadow home secretary, commented:

ruling implies torture has taken place in [binyam] mohamed case, british agencies may have been complicit, , further, united states government has threatened our high court if releases information government withdraw intelligence cooperation united kingdom.

the high court judges stated in 2009, criminal investigation, uk s attorney general, possible torture had begun.

in february 2010, uk court of appeal ruled material held uk foreign secretary must made public. judges concluded binyam mohamed had been subjected cruel, inhuman , degrading treatment united states authorities , british intelligence knew mohamed being tortured cia.