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Canadian lawyers want prosecution of Bush

Lawyers Against the War | 16.03.2009 16:42 | Anti-militarism | Terror War

Efforts continue to bar George W. Bush from entering Canada, or to indict him, because he is credibly accused of torture and other offences constituting war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.

Government ignores request to bar Bush from Canada;
LAW to respond at Vancouver press conference

VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada – Canadian government officials have chosen to ignore a request to bar George W. Bush from entering Canada, but the issue is not going to go away, according to the lawyers’ group that first raised it.

Lawyers Against the War’s (LAW) Gail Davidson said Sunday that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Attorney General Rob Nicholson have been formally notified of their legal obligations under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. She told them in a March 11 letter there is “overwhelming evidence that (Bush) has committed, outside Canada, torture and other offences” referred to in Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, and said LAW can provide the evidence.

Harper and other government officials were also told that the act states “if there are reasonable grounds to believe a person has been complicit in any of these crimes, entry to Canada must be denied.”

However, neither Harper nor any other Ministers responded to last month’s request from the group. Consequently, LAW recently asked the RCMP War Crimes Section to investigate the matter and advise the government that Bush is inadmissible.

“We can only conclude that the Harper government has made a political decision to ignore the law and allow Bush to freely enter and leave Canada,” said Davidson. “Canadians are left to wonder why.”

Bush will visit Canada Tuesday, March 17, to give a paid speech in Calgary to a private audience. Davidson said the speech is part of an international speaking tour by Bush that began with a very negative reception from large and angry crowds in Brazil as he began a six-day swing through Latin America.

“LAW and other organizations will continue to press for Bush and other members of the Bush Administration to be treated and dealt with in accordance with Canadian and international law,” Davidson said. “We are confident this will mean investigations and prosecution for torture and other war crimes in Canada or elsewhere.”

She said demonstrations are planned in Calgary and that there will be a public demonstration and press conference at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, March 17, in Vancouver at the 800 Smithe Street entrance to the B.C. Supreme Court sponsored by LAW and StopWar.ca to address the government’s response to the Bush visit.

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CONTACT:

Gail DavidsonLawyers Against the War
Tel: +1 604 738-0338
Fax: +1 604 736-1175

Lawyers Against the War
- e-mail: law@portal.ca

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

Why? (was that a SERIOUS question?)

16.03.2009 17:18

"“We can only conclude that the Harper government has made a political decision to ignore the law and allow Bush to freely enter and leave Canada,” said Davidson. “Canadians are left to wonder why.”

There might be a question about why allowing him to ENTER Canada but being rather silly if wondering why if letting him in, also letting him out.

Canada isn't strong enough to get into that kind of conflict with the US. Only those wishing harm/trouble/conflict within the US REGARDLESS of how much harm to Canada could want that.

The sad realities are .........

1) While many of us here in the States hate Bush's guts not nearly enough of us to want him tired by anybody eles.
2) The price INTERNALLY to fight over this far too high. You have so much political capital to use and have to choose wisely upon which issues.

THAT is how it works folks. Getting Bush punished would mean giving way on some of the other progressive issues.

MDN


War Criminal Number 1: Canada Must Bar/Prosecute this monster!

17.03.2009 04:53

see: Bush War Crimes are Jeopardizing Public Health in Iraq and Afghanistan:
 http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12756

Bush in Calgary March 17 Protest
 http://www.peoplevbush.ca

Bar or Arrest this Monster!
Email Minister of Immigration Jason Kenney
 Minister@ps.gc.ca
cc:  info@peoplevbush.ca

btb