Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Goff Disappointed Pinochet Not Brought To Trial

Goff Disappointed That Pinochet Not Brought To Trial

Media Release
Hon Phil Goff
3 March 2000

GOFF DISAPPOINTED THAT PINOCHET NOT BROUGHT TO TRIAL

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said today that he regrets the fact that the former Chilean dictator, General Pinochet, has not been brought to trial.

Mr Goff said that he accepts the principle that a person assessed as medically unfit cannot be brought to trial.

"However, the fact that General Pinochet may now never be held to account will deeply disappoint the families of those who were victims of savage human rights abuses following the military coup in Chile in 1973.

"They understandably will feel that justice has not been done. Ironically the judicial system has been kinder to Mr Pinochet that his regime was to its many victims.

"Nevertheless, the International community can at least take heart that the principle has been laid down that dictators who are responsible for human rights abuses are no longer beyond the reach of the rule of law.

"The fact that he was arrested and that his claim of immunity was rejected has taken us a lot further along the road towards curbing human rights abuse around the world.

"It will reinforce the message that leaders whose regimes violate human rights will be vulnerable to international legal action."

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.