U.N. GRILLS U.S. ON VIOLATIONS OF CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

Well, if Congress won't investigate aggressively the Bush administration's approval, and use, of torture, then the United Nations will.

U.S. State Department lawyer John B. Bellinger III, who led the U.S. delegation at Friday's hearing, defended Washington's commitment to its international obligations and read prepared answers to written questions submitted in advance from the committee in writing.

He said the delegation was unable to answer all questions because much of the information relates to intelligence activities.

But Andreas Mavrommatis, chairman of the committee, said he could understand that intelligence matters needed careful treatment, "but they are not excluded" from scrutiny.

"If during intelligence activities there is a violation of the convention, it's our duty to investigate them and your duty to answer," Mavrommatis said.
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The committee is demanding the U.S. explain why it established secret prisons, what rules and methods of interrogation it employs, and whether U.S. President George W. Bush's administration assumes responsibility for alleged acts of torture committed by American agents outside U.S. territory.

Tags: U.N. Convention Against Torture, U.S. violations