HR/99/24
24 March 1999



The following statement was made today by
High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson:

“The ruling today by the United Kingdom's highest court in the case of Senator Augusto Pinochet is a vigorous endorsement of the view that torture is an international crime subject to universal jurisdiction. National courts can try torturers even when the crime has been committed elsewhere.

I said on 25 November 1998 that the decision by the House of Lords to overturn a ruling of the High Court that Senator Pinochet benefited from "sovereign immunity" would hearten human rights defenders around the world. This afternoon, the Law Lords left no doubt as to the applicability of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to anyone accused of such crimes. Their decision, although limiting the charges under which Senator Pinochet is liable to extradition, is another significant step in the international struggle against impunity.”