The Pinochet Decision
Why Britain Should Extradite Pinochet

  • According to Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which the United Kingdom is a party - U.K is under an international obligation to try or extradite persons accused of the horrible crimes.

  • As a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Kingdom also has an obligation to ensure access to justice for the victims of General Pinochet's crimes.

    Why Is It Essential To Extradite Pinochet?

  • The international community has a greater long-term interest in making it clear to those who if they embark on crimes against humanity.

  • Returning the general to Chile would deprive his victims in Spain, France and Switzerland of their right to a remedy.

  • Human rights violations committed under General Pinochet's command amount to crimes against humanity.

  • International law - as well as the prevention of future atrocities - demands the prosecution of those responsible for crimes against humanity.

    Why Chile Won't Prosecute Pinochet

  • Pinochet would continue to enjoy impunity on returning to Chile.

  • Self-amnesty declared by Chilean military in April 1978 covers the period when most of the worst abuses took place, from the coup in September 1973 to March 1978.

  • Chilean Supreme Court upheld the amnesty above international human rights law.

  • General Pinochet will not be indicted, prosecuted or punished in Chile for human rights crimes committed after the period covered by the self-amnesty.


    • Pinochet Press Archive

    CIA, State, NSC Documents Declassified On Chile
    Press Release, June 30, 1999  

    British Decision on Pinochet Hailed
    HRW Press Release, April 15, 1999  

    Pinochet Extradition Urged
    HRW Press Release, April 7, 1999  

    Rejection Of Pinochet Immunity Praised
    HRW Press Release, March 24, 1999  

    Pinochet's Case "More Flawed the Second Time Around"
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, February 4, 1999

    Rights Group Says No Chance of Pinochet Trial in Chile
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, January 28, 1999

    Rights Group Urges House of Lords Not To "Turn the Clock Back "
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, January 15, 1999

    Pinochet Must be Prosecuted
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, December 17, 1998

    British Decision on Pinochet Hailed
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, December 9, 1998

    "No Chance" of Chilean Trial for Pinochet
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, December 2, 1998

    U.S. ‘Neutrality' on Pinochet Blasted
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, November 25, 1998

    House Of Lords' Decision On Pinochet Hailed
    Human Rights Watch Press Release, November 25, 1998

    HRW Calls On Britain to Extradite Pinochet If Lords Rule He Is Not Immune
    November 18, 1998

    Letter to Britain's Home Secretary
    November 16, 1998

    Why Chile Won't Prosecute Pinochet
    November 11, 1998

    Pinochet Extradition Hearings
    HRW Backgrounder, November 6, 1998

    Use of International Law Against Pinochet Urged
    November 4, 1998

    Spanish P.M. Urged to Support Pinochet Prosecution
    October 27, 1998

    U.S. Urged to Get Involved in Pinochet Case
    October 22, 1998

    HRW Hails Pinochet Detention as "Victory for the Rule of Law"
    October 1998

    HRW en español

    		 Updated October 14, 1999
    Related Material
    CHILE: When Tyrants Tremble: The Pinochet Case
    HRW Report, October 14, 1999

    One Year Later, the 'Pinochet Precedent' Puts Tyrants on Notice
    By REED BRODY
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    Chile: Ready For Justice
    By JOSÉ MIGUEL VIVANCO
    The New York Times, October 14, 1999

    Judgement on the Extradition Hearing of Gen. Pinochet
    October 8, 1999

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Universal Jurisdiction And Absence Of Immunity For Crimes Against Humanity
    Position paper by Amnesty International on the decision by the House of Lords to open a new hearing on the Pinochet case

    Prisoner Pinochet
    The Dictator and the Quest for Justice
    By PETER KORNBLUH
    The Nation, December 21, 1998

    The Truth About Pinochet:
    Chile's legacy of torture, murder, international terrorism and "the disappeared"

    Pinochet in Chile: Guaranteed Impunity [Analysis of the Chilean Justice System]

    "The Chilean government is trying to portray its judicial system as equal the task of prosecuting Pinochet. But this is just a cynical attempt to get Pinochet back home where he will be safe from justice."

    José Miguel Vivanco
    Executive Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch

    Pinochet's Shadow
    Commentary by Reed Brody

    Justice for Tyrants
    What will make the system of international justice work is multilateral muscle. France, Switzerland and Belgium now have backed up Spain with extradition warrants for Pinochet. The United States needs to state clearly and publicly that it, too, supports the idea of holding tyrants accountable for their crimes.

    By Kenneth Roth
    Thursday, November 26, 1998
    The Washington Post

    For Justice Without Illusions
    The Pinochet case marks a new temper of the times, and a new willingness to use international law against dictators.

    By Kenneth Roth, Newsweek, November 2, 1998