Bill Quigley [Legal Director, Center for Constitutional Rights]: “The Department of Justice decision to refuse to prosecute anyone for the intentional destruction of evidence of over 90 tapes documenting crimes of torture is an outrageous betrayal of respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The DOJ continues to try to construct a cocoon of impunity for all the government officials and private contractors involved in torture – a clear crime under both US and international law. Remember that in February the DOJ said there would be no legal or disciplinary consequences for John Yoo and the other torture-authorizing lawyers. Now ex-president Bush admits in his memoir that he authorized torture but he blames it on the lawyers.

Despite these continued attempts to deflect responsibility, by both the DOJ and the Bush apologizers in the current administration, accountability will be forthcoming.

Since US officials have decided they will not hold anyone accountable, now is the time for the international community to step up. Recall that although Chile originally allowed General Pinochet impunity, the world community rose up and demanded justice. Pinochet was charged in Spain and arrested in London.

The Center for Constitutional Rights and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights have intervened in an ongoing criminal investigation in Spain, looking into the actions of Bush and other torture authorizers. We will wait no longer for the Obama administration and the DOJ. As counsel in the ongoing criminal investigation in Spain, we will continue to seek justice and accountability for torture under the principle of universal jurisdiction.”