HRW calls on Obama to inquire its own crimes

11 July 2011 06:29 am Views - 7404

The Human Rights Watch called on US President Barack Obama to investigate into allegations of detainee abuse authorized by former President George W. Bush and other senior officials, same as the US call for inquiry against international crimes that are committed in places like Darfur, Libya, and Sri Lanka.

“The US is right to call for justice when serious international crimes are committed in places like Darfur, Libya, and Sri Lanka, but there should be no double standards. When the US government shields its own officials from investigation and prosecution, it makes it easier for others to dismiss global efforts to bring violators of serious crimes to justice,” Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch said releasing HRW latest report today.

“Overwhelming evidence of torture by the Bush administration obliges President Barack Obama to order a criminal investigation into allegations of detainee abuse authorized by former President George W. Bush and other senior officials,” the report.

The Obama administration has failed to meet US obligations under the Convention against Torture – to investigate acts of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees, HRW said.

If the US government does not pursue credible criminal investigations, other countries should prosecute US officials involved in crimes against detainees in accordance with international law, Human Rights Watch said.