NEWS: Human rights groups take Rumsfeld to court

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is going to be taken to court amidst allegations that he authorised torture in Iraq and Afghanistan. The suit has been filed in Federal Court by two human rights groups, saying he was directly responsible for the alleged torture of eight detainees. Prisoners claimed they were repeatedly beaten, were slashed with knives, sexually humiliated and suffered assault plus mock executions amongst other things.



Although this is unlikely to come to anything it's good that the message is being put out that this kind of torture is unacceptable, and hopefully people will think before taking it too far. We know bad things have to be done to get important information, but there's a fine line between doing what needs to be done and thinking you're above the law and can get away with anything.

Good! Its about time he's held responsible for HIS ORDERS instead of the subordinates that were carrying them out.

This is yet more proof that the "judicial" side of the gov is out of control. It is time to "purge" all liberal judges from thier "bloody" black robes. This lawsuite should never have made it to court. This violates the seperation of powers in the constitution. Comgress needs to get some guts and start impeaching these insane leftist.

The "black robe" bunch needs a swift kick in the arse............

if this gets the right judgement it could shoot the pariot act down when it comes up for renewal.canada will have to throw out its new laws also.torture is wrong and this is no way to get info anyways.i think he"ll get a slap on the hand but i hope something good will come out of this that will benefit both our countries freedoms.

Why Dr. Horacid? Since when are politicians above the law? And why do you criticise judges for allowing a suit to be brought against a politician that broke the law?

Would you like to see a world where politicians can do what they like, when they like and not have to worry about "leftist judges" holding them accountable under the law.

Also the rabid Republicans didnt think twice about impeaching President Clinton for getting oral sex and denying it. I think ordering the torture of human beings is more of a reason to legally scrutinize a politcian!

[edit on 2/3/05 by subz]

Originally posted by subz
Why Dr. Horacid? Since when are politicians above the law? And why do you criticise judges for allowing a suit to be brought against a politician that broke the law?

Would you like to see a world where politicians can do what they like, when they like and not have to worry about "leftist judges" holding them accountable under the law.

Also the rabid Republicans didnt think twice about impeaching President Clinton for getting oral sex and denying it. I think ordering the torture of human beings is more of a reason to legally scrutinize a politcian!

[edit on 2/3/05 by subz]

This is a "civil" lawsuite. Clinton wasn't impeached for have sex, but he should have been.

Define torture..............the methods listed in the lawsuite are ambiguous at best. This really is clearly a seperation of powers issue. Executive branch has the power to wage war. The judiciary needs to just shut up and sit down, they have no standing in this matter.

The Judicial branch has every right to check that the Executive branch isnt breaking the law. If they do this by allowing a lawsuit to be brought against the Defence Secretary then I cant see why thats a bad thing. If he's innocent of course then im sure with his resources he'll be able to exhonarate himself and the administration.

To deny the Judiciary the role of checking on the President and his cronies is unconstitutional. I think a full blown Judicial review would get to the truth.