Democrats urge Obama to prosecute former Bush aides over torture

Montpelier: Democrats in the US state of Vermont say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.

A resolution by the state Democratic committee "calls upon the current administration and Justice Department to cease attempts to block investigations and prosecution" of Bush officials.

It criticises the Justice Department for agreeing with Bush officials that they should be protected by sovereign immunity, a legal doctrine that shields people in government from liability for official actions.

The Obama administration decided last month to make public legal memos authorising the use of harsh interrogation methods but not to prosecute CIA interrogators.