The US Department of Justice today took a major step against impunity for atrocities in bringing its first-ever criminal charges for torture committed outside the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. The Justice Department indicted Charles "Chuckie" Taylor, Jr., son of the former Liberian president and currently in custody in Miami, for torture committed in Liberia.

Wow. Welcome to really bad precedents set by these guys. They've just put in motion the jurisprudence that should be used to prosecute themselves.

Going after torturers is a good thing. Going after them when you've been doing it too? At worst hypocritical, at best, the hoist for your petard.

Reuters AlertNet - US: Justice Dept. Brings First Charges for Torture Abroad