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External Links
- Britain's House of Lords
- Amnesty International's argument, as submitted to the House of Lords. The Pinochet Decision, from
- argument, as submitted to the House of Lords. The Pinochet Decision, from Human Rights Watch
- Why Pinochet Should Not Go Free -- a briefing from the Chile Solidarity Campaign Chilean nationals tell their story on the
- -- a briefing from the Chile Solidarity Campaign Chilean nationals tell their story on the World Socialist Web Site
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Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, currently facing extradition for trial on charges of human rights violations, has received support from an unexpected quarter: Tibet's nonviolent, exiled leader the Dalai Lama.
Visiting Chile as part of a South American tour, the Dalai Lama said, "in the Pinochet case, as an individual, now old," it might be best to forgive him, the Nobel laureate told reporters in Santiago.
"I think forgiveness is important, but forgiveness does not mean to forget about what happened."
Pinochet Timeline Oct. 13, 1998 Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet arrested at a private hospital in London on a Spanish extradition warrant for alleged murder of Spanish citizens during his rule. Ann MacMillan reports for CBC TV. Oct. 28, 1998 London court rules Pinochet is immune from arrest because he was head of state at time of alleged crimes. Paul Hunter reports for CBC TV. Nov. 3, 1998 Britain's highest court, the House of Lords, hears appeal launched by Spanish lawyers. Don Murray reports for CBC TV. Nov. 25, 1998 House of Lords decides by a 3-2 margin that Pinochet is not immune from arrest. Don Murray reports for CBC TV. Dec. 16, 1998 Pinochet lawyers argue bias after one of the House of Lords judges is found to have strong ties to Amnesty International. Dec. 18, 1998 House of Lords sets aside their own ruling and orders a new hearing. Derek Stoffel reports for CBC Radio.
Over 3,000 people disappeared or died during the Pinochet rule in 1970s and 1980s. Several dozen of those people were Spanish nationals, and Spain is seeking to extradite the 83-year-old Pinochet for trial.
Pinochet is currently under house arrest in Britain while he fights the extradition.
The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Meanwhile in London, another well-known world leader has urged the release of Pinochet: former U.S. President George Bush.
On Monday, the London Times newspaper printed a letter written by Bush to Lord Lamont, a Conservative member of the House of Lords.
In the letter, Bush called the case against Pinochet a "travesty of justice," and also said "Pinochet should be returned to Chile as soon as possible."
During the Cold War, Pinochet was widely considered to be friendly to U.S. interests because of his powerful anti-Communism.
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