Former U.S. president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, take in a Major League Basebeall playoff game in Arlington, Tex., on Oct. 8, 2011.HANS DERYK/Reuters
Amnesty International wants the federal government to arrest former U.S. president George W. Bush when he visits British Columbia next week.
The human-rights group said both Canadian and international law require Ottawa to detain Mr. Bush and investigate him for war crimes and torture.
"It is incumbent upon Canadian officials to investigate, arrest and prosecute former president Bush for torture when he arrives in Canada a week tomorrow," said Alex Neve, Amnesty Canada's secretary-general.
Mr. Bush and former president Bill Clinton are scheduled to attend an economic conference in Surrey, B.C. next week.
Mr. Neve said many will argue that arresting Mr. Bush is unrealistic because the United States is a close and powerful ally or that the crisis after 9/11 required extraordinary measures.
"None of those arguments justify inaction under international law," he said.
Mr. Neve conceded that arresting a former president would likely cause tension with the United States, but "taking a principled step merits that sort of strain."
The rights advocate said Mr. Bush admitted in his memoirs that he authorized the use of torture against terror suspects.
American authorities used a variety of torture methods, including water boarding, beatings and sleep deprivation, Mr. Neve said. The Bush administration used euphemisms such as "enhanced interrogation techniques," but these methods constituted torture.
"All of this was authorized and condoned and put in place through his own repeated decisions."
Mr. Neve said the international arm of Amnesty sent a lengthy brief to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson outlining the government's responsibilities under international law and urging him to act.
"This is something the entire global movement stands behind," Mr. Neve said.
Mr. Nicholson's office did not respond to a call for comment on Amnesty's demand.