Chile: Transition at the crossroads: human rights violations under Pinochet rule remain the crux

Index Number: AMR 22/001/1996
Date Published: 6 March 1996
Categories: Americas, Chile

Chile's transition to democracry is at a crossroads . A focus of intense debate is the question of human rights violations under the government of General Pinochet (1973-90). AI is concerned at moves to close investigations into these violations by proposed legislation which would effectively seal cases from prosecution. These moves are clearly influenced by military pressure. This report analyses the application of Chile's 1978 Amnesty Law to cases of grave human rights violations. AI believes that the law and the way it has been applied violate international human rights standards. It opposes any further restrictions on the investigation of these violations or on the prosecution of those found responsible.