Following the atrocious murder of three national law enforcement (Carabineros) officers on 27 April, Amnesty International has sent an open letter to Chilean Attorney General Ángel Valencia calling attention to possible interference with the independence of prosecutors Xavier Armendáriz and Ximena Chong and emphasizing the State’s strict duty to investigate, prosecute and – when guilty – convict perpetrators of human rights violations.
“The interference with and multiple attacks on prosecutors Armendáriz and Chong, who currently lead the judicial investigation against the High Command of Carabineros de Chile, seriously threatens that investigation and adds insult to injury for the hundreds of victims awaiting justice. To ensure justice for the serious crimes that occurred, the prosecutors’ autonomy has to be protected,” says Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International.
The interference with and multiple attacks on prosecutors Armendáriz and Chong, who currently lead the judicial investigation against the High Command of Carabineros de Chile, seriously threatens that investigation and adds insult to injury for the hundreds of victims awaiting justice.
Amnesty International is concerned that the recent terrible events may have affected the Office of the Attorney General’s independence and forced the arraignment – originally scheduled for 7 May – to be postponed.
“It is conspicuous that the arraignment was postponed right after the three Carabineros officers were murdered, just one week before the hearing was set to take place and amidst multiple attempts by senior officers to delay it. The Attorney General Office’s about-face suggests that the postponement is driven by external pressure and undue interference rather than solid legal reasons,” said Rodrigo Bustos, Director of Amnesty International Chile.
It is conspicuous that the arraignment was postponed right after the three Carabineros officers were murdered, just one week before the hearing was set to take place and amidst multiple attempts by senior officers to delay it.
Rodrigo Bustos, Director of Amnesty International Chile.
Given these considerations and prosecutors’ central role in upholding rule of law and investigating and prosecuting crimes, Attorney General Ángel Valencia must use his authority to ensure the autonomy and independence of prosecutors, particularly when the crimes in question are grave human rights violations allegedly committed by high-ranking state officials. He must ignore any circumstantial political pressures and rather be guided only by the principles of rule of law and of respecting, protecting, and guaranteeing human rights.
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