Feb. 8, 2011- Today, Peaceful Tomorrows joined a national effort to reach out to the people of Spain, whose courts are considering prosecuting six Bush administration lawyers under international law for their role in developing the legal justification for torture.
On February 14th, a nationwide coalition of peace, human rights, and social justice organizations will deliver copies of an open letter to the Spanish public to the embassy of Spain in Washington, DC and Spanish consulates in seven US cities to encourage Spain to prosecute the cases under the principal of universal jurisdiction. The group is also seeking to buy ads in prominent Spanish papers and on billboards calling for the prosecutions.
“We are proud to join this call for accountability,” said Orlando Rodriguez. “just as we seek accountability from those who murdered our loved ones on 9/11 we seek accountability for those who tortured others in our name. Impunity is the enemy of justice.”
March 1 is the deadline set by Spanish Judge Eloy Velasco to determine if he will prosecute the “Bush Six” – the group of Bush-era government lawyers for violating international law by creating a “legal” justification for torture.
State Department cables uncovered by WikiLeaks revealed attempts by the Obama administration to undermine the prosecutions.
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows is an organization founded by family members of those killed on September 11, 2001. Currently comprised of over 200 families, the group advocates nonviolence and adherence to the rule of law in the pursuit of justice and accountability.
Link to .pdf version of document here.
