Ban on torture is absolute, Annan reminds govts

[struggle4progress]

<snip>
Amid the international condemnation of the maltreatment of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in Abu Ghraib prison, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan reminded the world of the absolute prohibition of torture and other forms of cruelty whether in time of peace or of war.


Annan, along with other human rights advocates, made the call during the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. “It is a day to renew our commitment to denounce such acts and seek justice for torture victims. Above all, it is a day for governments to ask themselves whether they are doing enough to prevent acts of torture, assist their victims, punish the perpetrators and ensure that they are not repeated,” Annan said in a statement.


UN officials on human rights said countries are duty-bound to investigate torture whenever it occurs, prosecute parties and award compensation.


Acting high commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan, and the special rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights on the question of torture, Theo van Boven, said: “The nonderogable nature of this prohibition is enshrined in the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as in several other instruments.” Both are based in Geneva.
<snip>
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?section=NATIONAL&oid=53950

[shraby]

1. Didja see that Shrub???

There is no way you are a king, dictator or someone who can just order torture whenever you damn well feel like it! Get used to it.

[struggle4progress]

2. I bet he doesn't understand the pope's remarks, either:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=650115