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Father Michael Woodward's case in The United Kingdom Parliament
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo001220/text/01220w10.htm
20 Dec 2000 : Column: 202W
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
what representations have been made to the Government of Chile concerning the
deaths of William Beausire and Father Michael Woodward; and if he will make a
statement. [143397]
Mr. Battle: The Government have made numerous representations to the Government
of Chile, both through ministerial contacts and staff at HM Embassy in Santiago,
concerning the deaths of William Beausire and Father Michael Woodward. The
events surrounding their deaths were investigated by the Chilean National
Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, and their conclusions are set out in the
resulting Rettig Report. No new information about these deaths has come to light
as a result of our representations.
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18 Jan 2001 : Column 518
Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North): My right hon. Friend will be aware of the
current legal processes in Chile to bring General Pinochet to justice. Will she
find time in the near future to have a debate on the Floor of the House about
the situation with regard to William Beaosire and Father Michael Woodward, who
were British nationals who died under Pinochet's regime? Will she also urge the
Foreign Office and its Ministers to release all documents on Britain's relations
with Chile between 1973 and 1990, and those that relate to Operation Condor,
which was the terror regime that Pinochet instigated throughout southern Cone?
The release of those documents will undoubtedly assist the cause of those people
who seek to restore democracy and human rights to Chile.
Mrs. Beckett: The whole House was shocked and appalled at the treatment of those
nationals, as well as of many other people in Chile under the rule of General
Pinochet. I understand my hon. Friend's desire to have that matter further
examined now, but I fear that I cannot undertake to find time for a special
debate on it in the near future. I shall certainly draw his remarks to the
attention of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, but my first reaction
is that all the papers that he wants released are from the previous
Administration's time in government and we have only limited access to them.
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1 Feb 2001 : Column 441
Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North): What plans he has to start proceedings
relating to the deaths of William Beausire and Father Michael Woodward in Chile.
[146808]
The Solicitor-General: It will not be a surprise to my hon. Friend when I say
that I have no plans. Many people, including William Beausire and Father Michael
Woodward, were tortured and murdered under General Pinochet's regime in Chile in
the 1970s. Our courts, however, do not have jurisdiction to try those
responsible for those appalling acts. As I said in my statement to the House on
General Pinochet, on 2 March 2000, the criminal offences both of torture--which
is contrary to section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988--and of
hostage-taking under the Taking of Hostages Act 1982, which otherwise might
apply, were not retrospective and could not be made to apply to matters such as
the two deaths about which my hon. Friend inquires.
Mr. Corbyn: I am disappointed with that answer. Also disappointing was the
Department's attitude to the possibility of holding a private prosecution of
General Pinochet when he was held in this country, and to supporting an
application in the Chilean courts. Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that a
case has been successfully deposited in the High Court in Chile regarding
Charles Horman, a US national who was also murdered in that country? That case
is listed for hearing. Will not he re-examine the mountain of evidence relating
to the cases mentioned in my question, and the new evidence from a Chilean navy
officer who witnessed the torture of Father Woodward?
The two victims will never return. Will not my hon. and learned Friend also meet
their relatives, and see what practical legal support can be given to the
families to help them mount a serious case against Pinochet and all his henchmen
in the Chilean courts, where hundreds of such cases are at last being mounted?
The Solicitor-General: Under the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation)
Act 1990, it is possible for authorities in this country to assist prosecutors
in Chile, and that might well happen.
In addition, what this country did in relation to Senator Pinochet has had a
catalytic effect in Chile. That is a good thing. Secondly, were these appalling
crimes to occur today--God forbid that they would--the cases could be tried in a
court here.
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