In 1975 the Chilean dictatorship, led by coservative hero and CIA allstar, Augusto Pinochet imposed its violent, but thankfully "free market," reign by deposing the popularly elected Allende government through an anti-democratic, yet "freedom loving" coup.

In 1998, the UK's House of Lords issued its landmark decision, ruling that, then former dicator, Pinochet, could be stripped of executive immunity, and stand trial to answer for his alleged crimes. The House of Lords held, in Regina v. Bartle that:

Because of the importance of the values it protects, [the prohibition of torture] has evolved into a peremptory norm or jus cogens, that is, a norm that enjoys a higher rank in the international hierarchy than treaty law and even 'ordinary' customary rules. The most conspicuous consequence of this higher rank is that the principle at issue cannot be derogated from by states through international treaties or local or special customs or even general customary rules not endowed with the same normative force. . . . Clearly, the jus cogens nature of the prohibition against torture articulates the notion that the prohibition has now become one of the most fundamental standards of the international community. Furthermore, this prohibition is designed to produce a deterrent effect, in that it signals to all members of the international community and the individuals over whom they wield authority that the prohibition of torture is an absolute value from which nobody must deviate.

Good deal. However, Pinochet was found to be too ill to stand trial, and he was subsequently sent back home to Chile, where he was appointed Senator for Life, in order to avoid further procecutions. However, a series of important judicial decisions in Chile slowly, but surely worked to strip Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution.

Well, it turns out the former Reagan / Thatcher drinking buddy won't stand trial after all. Because he died this morning:

Pinochet suffered a heart attack a week ago and underwent an angioplasty, and the brief announcement by the Santiago Military hospital said his condition worsened suddenly on Sunday. Dr. Juan Ignacio Vergara, spokesman for the medical team that had been treating him, said his family was with him when he died.

....

Chile's government says at least 3,197 people were killed for political reasons during his rule, but after leaving the presidency in 1990 Pinochet escaped hundreds of criminal complaints because of his declining physical and mental health.

Fortunately for Donald Rumsfeld, no precedent will be set in the Pinochet case.

cato

I'm lost

November 2005

DEC 10, 2006 11:57 AM

The world weeps.

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

IDGAS

Jackson Heights, NY

March 2004

DEC 10, 2006 02:27 PM

I hope he enjoys hell.

YAWG

Victoria, BC

November 2003

DEC 10, 2006 03:13 PM

I think I heard a cheer of joy from Chile all the way up here.
Good fucking riddance.
It was too much to ask for Pinocet to implicate the C.I.A for it's role in helping him rise to the top and stay there. I'll settle for this.

Flux

SUICIDEGIRL

North Carolina, USA

DEC 10, 2006 03:14 PM

Rot in hell, you soulless pigfucker.

MisterSatan

Vancouver, WA

August 2002

DEC 10, 2006 03:30 PM

I used to have a boss that was originally from Chile. She used to tell me horror stories about living underneath Pinochet's regime. Scary, scary shit.

SockPuppet

I'm lost

July 2006

DEC 10, 2006 03:32 PM

Good riddance.

mamet

Charleston, SC

March 2005

DEC 10, 2006 04:20 PM

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

RedBstrd

Pomona, CA

April 2004

DEC 10, 2006 04:38 PM

I'll be opening a bottle of champagne tonight.

Dead_Ringer

I'm lost

September 2004

DEC 10, 2006 06:08 PM

p.s. I attempted to search the far-right blogs that purport to champion the U.S.'s role in the world as the great proveryer of "freedom," human rights, and moral clarity for even a simple piece on the passing of the former monster. I mean, Pinochet is one of the most infamous political figures of the 20th century. Alas, not a word from any of the usual suspects in this regard.

r00kers

Nederland, CO

February 2003

DEC 13, 2006 11:33 AM

Rot in hell, you soulless pigfucker.

Not to pick nits (ok, to pick nits), but if someone is souless, is it possible for them to rot in hell, regardless of the status of their relationship with porcine mammals?

I have held a deep disrespect for this 'Franco Jr.' since teenhood.

BOARDS:

TOPICS:

I'm lost

September 2004

DEC 10, 2006 11:41 AM

I'm lost

November 2005

DEC 10, 2006 11:57 AM

Jackson Heights, NY

March 2004

DEC 10, 2006 02:27 PM

Victoria, BC

November 2003

DEC 10, 2006 03:13 PM

SUICIDEGIRL

North Carolina, USA

DEC 10, 2006 03:14 PM

Vancouver, WA

August 2002

DEC 10, 2006 03:30 PM

I'm lost

July 2006

DEC 10, 2006 03:32 PM

Charleston, SC

March 2005

DEC 10, 2006 04:20 PM

Pomona, CA

April 2004

DEC 10, 2006 04:38 PM

I'm lost

September 2004

DEC 10, 2006 06:08 PM

Nederland, CO

February 2003

DEC 13, 2006 11:33 AM