ICFTU ONLINE...
230/981027/JK
"UK Government has historic role to play in Pinochet’s case", says ICFTUBrussels, October 27, 1998 (ICFTU OnLine): "The United Kingdom’s status as one of the original signatories of the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal places historic responsibilities on HM’s Government" in the case of General Augusto Pinochet, ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan said in a letter sent today to the Home Secretary Jack Straw. Recalling that the London Agreement of 8 August 1945 on the prosecution and punishment of major war criminals established the principle of universal jurisdiction for the repression of crimes against humanity, Jordan said the UK Government "should spare no effort in order to ensure that justice follows its full course in the case". He urged Mr. Straw to co-operate fully with judicial authorities in handling any formal extradition request received from the Spanish government.
The ICFTU also welcomed the news that requests for General Pinochet’s arrest and extradition warrants were now expected from the Swiss, French and Swedish authorities. "This sends a strong signal to people in the highest offices that anyone may be held accountable for egregious human rights violations such as torture and mass murder or forced disappearances", it said today in a statement released in Brussels. "But whether or not this signal translates into a permanent deterrent against grave and consistent human rights’ offenders hinges to a large extent on the important decisions to be taken in the forthcoming days or weeks by Britain’s judicial authorities", it added.
Hundreds of Chilean trade unionists were amongst the victims of Chile’s military junta which ruled the country from 1973 to 1990. In a statement issued last week, the ICFTU last week declared it was actively examining possibilities to launch a civil suit against General Pinochet, quoting "immense physical, moral and financial damages" suffered by the organisation and, in particular, its Chilean members, as possible legal grounds for launching a case.
The Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) represents 125 million workers world-wide, through its 206 affiliated national trade union centres in 141 countries and territories.
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
Boulevard Emile Jacqmain 155, B - 1210 Brussels, Belgium. For more information
please contact: Luc Demaret on: 00 322 224 0212 - press@icftu.org