Viva Espana! ...... Going after war criminals all over the world....even from its "allies"

[marmar]

via MichaelMoore.com:



May 24th, 2009 5:27 pm
Spain's Judges Cross Borders In Rights Cases

High-Ranking U.S. Officials Among Targets of Inquiries

By Craig Whitlock / Washington Post

MADRID -- Spanish judges are boldly declaring their authority to prosecute high-ranking government officials in the United States, China and Israel, among other places, delighting human rights activists but enraging officials in the countries they target and triggering a political backlash in a nation uncomfortable acting as the world's conscience.

Judges at Spain's National Court, acting on complaints filed by human rights groups, are pursuing 16 international investigations into suspected cases of torture, genocide and crimes against humanity, according to prosecutors. Among them are two probes of Bush administration officials for allegedly approving the use of torture on terrorism suspects, including prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The judges have opened the cases by invoking a legal principle known as universal jurisdiction, which under Spanish law gives them the right to investigate serious human rights crimes anywhere in the world, even if there is no Spanish connection.

International-law advocates have cheered the developments and called the judges heroes for daring to hold the world's superpowers accountable. But the proliferation of investigations has also prompted a backlash in Spain, where legislators and even some law enforcement officials have criticized the powerful judges for overreaching, as well as souring diplomatic relations with allies. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=13945

[pleah]

1. Oh, yeah! Big K & R

[ClayZ]

2. K and R

[RC]

3. Well, if we will not deal with our war criminals, someone else has to then.

This absolutely needs to be done to get these criminals out of circulation permanently so the world can be reasonable assured there will not be another criminal administration like the bu$h administration.

[Larkspur]

4. Viva Espana!!

It's really disappointing seeing Obama coverup for the Bush Admin war criminals, but I'm glad someone somewhere will make it uncomfortable for Bush Admin cronies to go abroad.

[santamargarita]

5. Outsourcing justice

~

[The Hope Mobile]

6. Amo espana!!! Fantastico!!! nt

[DKRC]

7. Shameful that we're not doing our own investigations

but at least someone in stepping in to do what is right & necessary in the face of war crimes.

Thank you Spain!

:thumbsup:

[pacalo]

8. I hope these judges stand their ground against any pressure by the Spanish government.

...But the proliferation of investigations has also prompted a backlash in Spain, where legislators and even some law enforcement officials have criticized the powerful judges for overreaching, as well as souring diplomatic relations with allies.

On Tuesday, the lower house of the Spanish parliament easily passed a resolution calling for a new law that would limit judges to pursuing cases with ties to Spanish citizens or a link to Spanish territory. Cases could be brought only if the targeted country failed to take action on its own.

The vote was prompted, in part, by two National Court judges who decided separately last month to investigate Bush administration officials on allegations that they encouraged a policy of torture...