Advocates: Law on humanity crimes needed in US

[struggle4progress]

By DENNIS CONRAD Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 06/26/2008 12:19:30 PM PDT

WASHINGTON—The United States should put muscle behind its denunciation of human rights abuses around the world by making the broad offense known as a "crime against humanity" illegal under U.S. law, witnesses said Tuesday.

Along with genocide and war crimes, crimes against humanity are among the most serious crimes under international law. In brief, crimes against humanity consist of certain inhumane acts, such as enslavement, extermination, rape and other forms of torture, when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.

Testifying in a congressional hearing on the subject, advocates for victims of violence in Sudan's Darfur region said it was embarrassing for the United States that it had no way to punish those responsible for the Darfur mayhem, which the Bush administration has described as genocide.

With the current lack of legislation, the United States is unable to prosecute offenders when they come to visit, live or work in the country ...

http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_9702959