The new President of Chile, Ricardo Lagos, has taken a commendable stand on former dictator Augusto Pinochet. Mr Lagos, who was forced into exile during Pinochet’s rule, says it is up to the courts to decide what is to be done.
Pinochet led a military coup against the elected government of Salvador Allende in 1973. In his 17-year rule his regime was responsible for the kidnap, torture and murder of at least 3000 Chileans. Pinochet has stated that he is not guilty even if those under him committed crimes. He was made a senator for life which granted him immunity from prosecution when Chile moved to democratic rule.
The questions now are whether a Chilean court can remove that immunity and if it can whether Pinochet is medically fit to be tried and if he can be linked to kidnap, death and torture that was committed by people in authority under his regime.
The extent of the human suffering inflicted by the Pinochet regime would make it understandable if the new Lagos Government acted with vengeance. But it would not be excusable. Mr Lagos’s position that it is a matter for the courts without any interference from the Government. He is determined to show that the rule of law must triumph over the arbitrary exercise of power.
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