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Four Detainees Sue George Bush in Canada

By Jeralyn, Section Terror Detainees
Posted on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 06:42:34 PM EST
Tags: torture, George W. Bush (all tags)
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Three former detainees at Guantanamo and/or Afghan detention facilities, and one current Guantanamo detainee got a Canadian justice of the peace to file their lawsuit against George Bush alleging torture. A hearing date has been set for Jan. 12. The Complaint, called a Private Prosecution, and supporting sworn documents are here. The factual and legal basis for prosecuting Bush under the Canadian Criminal Code and Convention Against Torture begins on page 20.

The detainees are: Hassan bin Attash, Sami el-Hajj, Muhammed Khan Tumani and Murat Kurnaz:

[E]ach endured years of inhumane treatment including beatings, chaining to cell walls, being hung from walls or ceilings while handcuffed, lack of access to toilets, sleep, food and water-deprivation, exposure to extreme temperatures, sensory overload and deprivation, and other horrific and illegal treatment while in U.S. custody at military bases in Afghanistan and/or at the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay.

More...

While three of the plaintiffs have since been released without ever facing charges, Hassan Bin Attash still remains in detention at Guantánamo Bay, though he too has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing.

Attempts by the four to have Bush prosecuted by Canada's Attorney General were unsuccessful, so they resorted to the private lawsuit.

The suit was filed by the Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ) on their behalf. Their press release on the filing is here.

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    Four Detainees Sue George Bush in Canada | 7 comments (7 topical)

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    Much ado about nothing (1.50 / 2) (#5)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 10:40:56 PM EST


    I didn't troll rate your post only... (none / 0) (#6)
    by Romberry on Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 12:25:30 AM EST
    ...because (FSM help us all!), I know that you're sincere and not just trolling. How is is you come to that oblivious sincerity where these kinds of things are done to other human beings is the question I'd like to know the answer to.

    Parent
    Mainly because I have (none / 0) (#7)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 09:20:09 AM EST
    no reason to believe the charges are factual.

    You, of course, are welcome to believe in what you want.

    Parent

    Since it was filed in provincial court (none / 0) (#1)
    by shoephone on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 08:23:40 PM EST
    does that mean the hearing (and possible trial) would take place in something akin to a U.S. Federal District Court? And what do you know about attorneys Eisenbrandt and Gallagher?

    "a Private Prosecution" (none / 0) (#2)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 08:43:37 PM EST
    I saw a very funny British movie about one of those.  Can't remember the title.  

    It's a shame we don't have private prosecutions in America.  Instead of pooling our ire we could pool our cash and run a few politicians and at least one ex-president to ground, or try.

    Let's go to Canada and do so! (none / 0) (#3)
    by Towanda on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 09:23:50 PM EST
    I've been hankering for some poutine and the sights of Montreal . . . sigh.

    Parent
    Ooh, and Tim Horton's. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by caseyOR on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 10:40:45 PM EST
    Must not forget the donuts.


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    Four Detainees Sue George Bush in Canada | 7 comments (7 topical)

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