President Obama MUST prosecute any alleged acts of torture

By contributing writer
I am glad that President Obama has released these memos that describe the CIA's interrogation techniques. I am surprised though that Obama was quick to reassure the interrogators that they would not be prosecuted for torture. I don't know who is advising President Obama on this issue but the fact is, if ( I repeat, IF) acts of torture were committed, they MUST be prosecuted. Under the Convention against Torture - which the US signed and ratified - the prohibition of torture is absolute and non-derogable. If the US were some African country, there is no doubt that the perpetrators would be hauled off to some international tribunal to face charges. Even though I personally believe that US officers acted honorably and within the confines of the law in their work on the war against terror, I see President Obama coming under fire for this stance from a lot of human rights groups. Releasing the memos is commendable and unprecedented but it should be accompanied by an effort on the part of the Obama administration to investigate any alleged acts of torture and have the perpertrators brought before the courts if found with a case to answer. Let the courts decide, based on the provisions of the law, whether the legal guidance from the Attorney General justified the commission of torture and/or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment if any such acts were committed.