Resolution on the arrest of General Pinochet in London
Date: 1998-10-22
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Chile, Surinam, arrest, crime against humanity, dictatorship













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51998IP0975

Resolution on the arrest of General Pinochet in London  


Official Journal C 341 , 09/11/1998 P. 0147 





B4-0975/98Resolution on the arrest of General Pinochet in LondonThe European Parliament,- having regard to its previous resolutions in defence of democracy and human rights in Chile adopted during the dictatorship of General Pinochet,- having regard to its resolutions of 18 November 1993 on the legal proceedings concerning the murder of European citizen Mr Carmelo Soria Espinosa in Chile ((OJ C 329, 6.12.1993, p. 278.)), 20 June 1996 on the amnesty for the alleged kidnappers of Carmelo Soria ((OJ C 198, 8.7.1996, p. 209.)), who was assassinated by agents of the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA - the Chilean National Intelligence Agency), who have been found but who remain unpunished, 18 September 1997 on the hearing on the Spanish nationals who disappeared under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet and the Spanish victims of that dictatorship ((OJ C 304, 6.10.1997, p. 143.)) and 19 February 1998 on the appointment of General Pinochet as life senator in Chile ((OJ C 80, 16.3.1998, p. 250.)),A. whereas the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet has been arrested in London by British judicial authorities at the request of Spanish judicial authorities,B. whereas General Pinochet faces serious charges of having committed international crimes in connection with the death and disappearance of thousands of people during his military dictatorship, including dozens of Community citizens,C. whereas the 1992 Treaty on European Union lays down certain obligations relating to cooperation between Member States in combating international crime, notably in Article K, and whereas these provisions have been strengthened by the new Treaty on European Union of 1997, in particular in Article 31 of the consolidated version,D. whereas the independent action of judicial bodies in defence of the rule of law constitutes an essential basis of the Constitutional State,1. Congratulates the Spanish and British judicial authorities for their effective cooperation in the arrest of General Pinochet;2. Reaffirms its commitment to the principle of universal justice to protect human rights in accordance with the international treaties signed by the various Member States and calls on the competent authorities to interpret them in accordance with the principles of the Treaty on European Union and the secondary legislation adopted by the Council;3. Calls on the Spanish Government to request the extradition of General Pinochet as soon as possible, should the judicial authorities require it, in order that he appear in court in connection with the various proceedings instituted in Spain concerning the crimes of which he is accused;4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the British and Spanish Governments, the Presidency of the Council, the Commission and the Government of Chile.