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The Pinochet Decision
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Pinochet Case a Milestone (New York, March 2, 2000) -- Human Rights Watch said today that the arrest of Augusto Pinochet represented a permanent advance in the cause of human rights, despite the decision by British Home Secretary Jack Straw to allow him to return to Chile. The group also called on the Chilean parliament to block a proposed constitutional reform that would give permanent immunity from prosecution to all former heads of state. New Obstacle to Pinochet Prosecution (New York, February 21, 2000) -- Human Rights Watch today condemned a proposed constitutional reform in Chile that would give permanent immunity from prosecution to all former heads of state. The Chilean parliament is expected to pass the new measure by the end of March. U.K. Ruling on Pinochet Praised (London, February 15, 2000) -- Human Rights Watch today welcomed a U.K. High Court ruling that Home Secretary Jack Straw should divulge details of the medical examination of the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet to the four states that are seeking his extradition. Human Rights Watch called on Straw to abide by the ruling and release the medical data. U.K. Home Secretary Should Back Justice (London, January 31, 2000) -- Human Rights Watch today expressed dismay at being denied the right to question the fairness of the procedure used to assess Augusto Pinochet's fitness to stand trial. It urged British Home Secretary Jack Straw to release to interested parties the medical evaluation of the former Chilean dictator. Court Order Sought on Pinochet Medical Judgment (London, January 24, 2000) -- Human Rights Watch has joined with five allied organizations to seek a judicial order preventing the British Home Secretary from releasing Augusto Pinochet without certain basic steps of procedural fairness. Straw Urged to Reveal Pinochet Data (London, January 18, 2000) - Human Rights Watch today urged British Home Secretary Jack Straw to make Augusto Pinochet's medical records available to Spain and the other countries seeking his extradition. Pinochet Case a Landmark (New York, January 12, 2000) -- Human Rights Watch said today that the arrest of Augusto Pinochet represented a permanent advance in the cause of human rights, despite the fact that a British medical evaluation may prevent Gen. Pinochet's extradition to Spain. The Pinochet Extradition: HRW Update #2 (October 14, 1999) - On October 8, 1999, London Magistrate Ronald Bartle committed General Augusto Pinochet for extradition to Spain where he could stand trial for 34 counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to commit torture. Bartle's ruling was particularly significant for its treatment of the conspiracy charge and of the allegations of "disappearances" by Pinochet's regime. Pinochet Decision Hailed Human Rights Watch today hailed the decision of a British magistrate to commit Gen. Augusto Pinochet for extradition. The group specifically pointed to the judge's broad rulings on the conspiracy charge and Pinochet's use of "disappearances." HRW Press Release, October 8, 1999 Pinochet Extradition Seen As the extradition hearings of Gen. Augusto Pinochet closed today, Human Rights Watch expressed confidence that Magistrate Ronald Bartle would commit the former dictator for extradition. HRW Press Release, September 30, 1999 Pinochet Extradition Hearings "Historic" "Pinochet's victims have waited 25 years for this historic moment. For the Crown prosecutors to formally read out the charges of torture and conspiracy against General Pinochet is a measure of vindication for the thousands who were killed, tortured or ‘disappeared' by his regime." Reed Brody, Advocacy Director HRW Press Release, September 27, 1999 The Pinochet Extradition: HRW Update #1 (September 20, 1999) -- On September 27, 1999, formal extradition ("committal") proceedings against Gen. Augusto Pinochet will begin. These proceedings are expected to last about a week. Human Rights Watch, which took part in the Pinochet hearings before the House of Lords, has prepared the following background paper to help untangle some complex legal issues. HRW en español
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Updated March 2000
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