OCTOBER 2011
SUMMARY OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S LEGAL BRIEF
Amnesty International published a legal brief in advance of former US President George W Bush’s planned visit to Canada in October 2011. Amnesty International considers that there is enough material in the public domain – even if one were to reply only upon information released by United States authorities, and by former President Bush himself – to give rise to an obligation for Canada to investigate his alleged involvement in and responsibility for crimes under international law, including torture, and to secure his presence in Canada during that investigation. The facts presented in the brief are sufficient to give rise to mandatory obligations for Canada under international law, should former President Bush enter Canadian territory, to: launch a criminal investigation; arrest former President Bush or otherwise secure his presence during that investigation; and submit the case to competent authorities in Canada for the purpose of prosecution if it does not extradite him to another state able and willing to do so.
UPDATE
Despite clear evidence that he was responsible for crimes under international law, including torture, Canada refused to arrest former President Bush when he visited British Columbia in October 2011.
LEGAL RESOURCES
MEDIA
“Canada urged to arrest and prosecute George W. Bush” (12 October 2011)
“Bush should be investigated by Canada for crimes under international law, says Amnesty International” (7 October 2011)
