International criminals

UN to quiz Washington on torture

"Huge significance!" they say

This is the first time since 2000 that the US has testified publicly before the committee, which, as a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture, it is required to do.

Ten legal experts will cross-examine the US team, led by State Department legal adviser John Bellinger in public hearings that are due to continue until Monday.

The hearings have huge significance, says Jennifer Daskal of Human Rights Watch. What makes this so remarkable is that this is the first time the United States is accountable for its record on torture with regard to some of the practices implemented after 9/11," she says.

Well, actually, as the article says, the UN has no formal powers to do anything:

The UN committee does not have formal powers and cannot impose sanctions, but signatories are expected to act on the recommendations it will publish following the hearings.

But at least the signatories are expected to act on the recommendations... which would be what, stop torturing? The US will add a special clause by its signature saying that while this is all nice a stuff we can ignore it, like 750 or so domestic laws. Like they will give a rats ass what the UN says.