An international group of lawyers is urging the City of Surrey to cancel a planned speech by former U.S. President George W. Bush.
Lawyers Against the War – which has members in countries around the world including Canada, Denmark and the United States – said Bush should be tried for crimes against prisoners in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and other offshore prisons.
Because of these alleged crimes, the group's co-founder Gail Davidson said Bush should be put on trial in Canada – not invited to speak at the Surrey Regional Economic Summit on Oct. 20.
"This is what the law requires. Canada and a lot of other countries in the world have ratified statutes against torture," Davidson told ctvbc.ca. "They can either prosecute him in Canada or extradite him to another country that is willing and able to."
According to Davidson, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts' assistant has offered to set up a meeting with the event's organizers – an offer Davidson has declined.
"It would not be an appropriate use of my time or his time," said Davidson, who has sent multiple requests for meetings with Surrey council and the mayor. "He is interested in profiteering and I'm not going to think it's OK just because the event makes a profit. Profit doesn't change the law. "
Davidson has also written letters to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the justice minister and minister of public safety about barring Bush from entering Canada or prosecuting him.
Despite the group's efforts, Davidson said she knows there is a chance her attempts could be unsuccessful.
"Maybe not this time, but I think we will succeed one day – I don't think there is any other option," said Davidson. "The rule of law applies to everybody – even Bush and Cheney. It applies to the rich and powerful as well as the disenfranchised."
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is set to visit Vancouver on Sept. 26 to promote his book My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir.
