The United States of America: A Safe Haven for Torturers
It would undoubtedly surprise most Americans to learn that perpetrators of torture from around the world live in the United States. Yet, the US government has acknowledged that as many as 1,000 suspected torturers may currently reside in this country. Amnesty International's own research reveals that nearly 150 alleged human rights abusers have been identified living in the United States - and the number may be far higher.
Torture is a gross offense to human dignity, justice and the rule of law. It is firmly prohibited by international law, which requires states to extradite or prosecute individuals found in their territory who allegedly committed acts of torture, regardless of where such acts occurred. Torture is a crime subject to universal jurisdiction - all states can prosecute those who commit it. The US further accepted this international obligation when it ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1994. However, despite this clear mandate, perpetrators of this crime continue to enter and reside in the US with impunity.
For an in-depth report: “United States of America: A Safe Haven for Toturers”
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/stoptorture/safehaven.pdf
For a summary of the report”
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/stoptorture/safe_haven_summary.html
It would undoubtedly surprise most Americans to learn that perpetrators of torture from around the world live in the United States. Yet, the US government has acknowledged that as many as 1,000 suspected torturers may currently reside in this country. Amnesty International's own research reveals that nearly 150 alleged human rights abusers have been identified living in the United States - and the number may be far higher.
Torture is a gross offense to human dignity, justice and the rule of law. It is firmly prohibited by international law, which requires states to extradite or prosecute individuals found in their territory who allegedly committed acts of torture, regardless of where such acts occurred. Torture is a crime subject to universal jurisdiction - all states can prosecute those who commit it. The US further accepted this international obligation when it ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1994. However, despite this clear mandate, perpetrators of this crime continue to enter and reside in the US with impunity.
For an in-depth report: “United States of America: A Safe Haven for Toturers”
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/stoptorture/safehaven.pdf
For a summary of the report”
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/stoptorture/safe_haven_summary.html