WHY RUMSFELD?
CCR has reviewed new evidence and documentation that lays the responsibility for US torture program directly at Rumsfeld’s feet. Rumsfeld himself authorized severe “special interrogation techniques” and other abusive, unlawful treatment of detainees. Rumsfeld’s resignation last week means that he can no longer claim immunity from international prosecution as a sitting government official.

WHY GERMANY?
Germany appears to be the court of last resort for a war crimes prosecution of Rumsfeld because the United States has tried to close the door to accountability. For example, the United States has failed to take any action to investigate high-level involvement in the torture program; Congress passed the Military Commissions Act last month, which tries to shield American officials from being prosecuted for war crimes here; and the United States has refused to join the International Criminal Court and has barred the Iraq from prosecuting US officials in that country.

On the other hand, as a signatory to the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court, German law recognizes the principle of universal jurisdiction: that grave breaches of international law like the US torture program authorized by Rumsfeld, must be investigated and, where called for, prosecuted no matter where the crime was committed or the nationality of those involved. CCR has filed this complaint in Germany because we represent torture victims who have yet to see justice, the truth has yet to be investigated and the United States is evading accountability.

Together we can make a difference. Stand with our plaintiffs who include Nobel Peace Prize winners and the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and tell the German Prosecutor that you support opening an investigation.

With your support, we can show the world community that Americans think torture is immoral and illegal, and that its perpetrators — wherever they are found — must be held accountable. Act now.

Vincent Warren is Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights

The Letter
Der Generalbundesanwalt beim Bundesgerichtshof,

Hiermit erkläre ich meine ausdrückliche Unterstützung für die Strafanzeige des Centers For Constitutional Rights/New York, Federation International pour les Droits de l’Homme/Paris, und RAV gegen Donald Rumsfeld et al., vertreten durch Rechtsanwalt Wolfgang Kaleck in Berlin.

Ich bitte die Bundesanwaltschaft, die Ermittlungen wegen der Vorfälle in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo und andernorts aufzunehmen. Da die USA sich nicht dem internationalen Gerichtshof unterstellen, ist dies die einzige Möglichkeit, dem Recht Geltung zu verschaffen.

I am writing to express my support for the criminal complaint filed against U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, et al., by the Center for Constitutional Rights, the International Federation for Human Rights, the Republican Attorneys Association and others, represented by Wolfgang Kaleck of Berlin, on November 14, 2006. I kindly request that you begin the investigations regarding the incidents at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and others.

Because the US has failed to fully investigate, and because the US is not a member of the International Criminal Court, there is no other forum to turn to in seeking justice and accountability.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ccr-ny.org .
If you would like to support CCR’s important work to stop the Bush administration from operating outside the law, Click here .
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A Trucker’s View from the Road

• Debra Sweet, the National Coordinator of The World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime, will be speaking about impeachment with Jerome McDonnell on Worldview, the global affairs program on WBEZ, Chicago public radio, Thursday, November 16, noon to 1 PM. Listen online.

• Stay Tuned for more on Sunday, December 10th, Human Rights and Impeachment Day

http://www.worldcantwait.net/