Biden vows to end US practice of torture
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Feb 7, IRNA -- US Vice President Joe Biden pledged his country's commitment to end the practice of torture following massive international condemnation over the past several years.
Speaking at the 45th Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Biden said, "America will not torture, America will uphold the rights of those brought to justice, and we will close the facility in Guantanamo."
But at the same time, the US will ask European partners to help, including by taking in some of the current detainees held in Guantanamo, he added.
Biden's remarks followed recent statements by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak who urged the indictment of former US president George W. Bush and his secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld for their role in the torture and abuse of prisoners in the notorious Guantanamo prison camp.
"The evidence is on the table," Nowak told German television.
He held Bush and Rumsfeld responsible for the brutal interrogation methods and the inhuman treatment of prisoners.
"One should not quibble, it was torture," Nowak stressed.
New American President Barack Obama is legally obligated to prosecute Bush and Rumsfeld because the US has ratified the UN Convention on Torture and has recognized it as legally binding, he said.
"Therefore they must do everything they can that persons who are accused of torture, are put on trial," added Nowak who published a UN report in 2006 on the dismal situation in Guantanamo.
Nowak charged the US with violating international human rights standards.
"Many interrogation methods led to the torture of Guantanamo inmates, the UN official said.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 343714
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