Question:
57 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the EU General Affairs Council recently considered making a strong case to Chile for the prosecution of General Pinochet. [12841/00]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.
Abuses of human rights in any country are of concern to all, and the perpetrators of such abuses should be brought to justice in accordance with law. Throughout the years of the Pinochet dictatorship, Ireland strongly condemned the violations of human rights carried out by the regime. As a practical expression of our sympathy with the victims of those violations, we welcomed Chilean refugees into Ireland.
The question of whether General Pinochet will now be sent for trial following his return to Chile is a matter for the judicial authorities there. In recent weeks the investigating judge who has been inquiring into allegations against the general, was joined by law officers of the Chilean State in seeking to have the appeals court find that he does not have immunity from prosecution, even under the existing amnesty legislation, in the case of certain grave crimes which took place following the 1973coup d'état. Against the objections of lawyers for General Pinochet, the court agreed to hear the case. The hearing has concluded and a verdict is expected in the coming weeks.
President Lagos, who took office in March, has pointed out that recognition by the executive branch of the freedom and independence of the judicial system is the hallmark of democratic respect for the rule of law. On 27 April last, after the opening of the appeals court hearing, President Lagos commented: ".the institutions function. As we have said to the world, in this country everyone, powerful or humble, is subject to the courts."