The School of Law and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex are running a seminar with Amnesty International on the Pinochet case.

The Pinochet Case and the Fight against Impunity takes place on Wednesday 5 November, from 2pm to 6pm, at the University’s Colchester Campus.

The seminar will be opened by Professor John Packer (Director of the Human Rights Centre), Dr Bob Watt (Head of the School of Law) and Christopher Hall (International Secretariat, Amnesty International).

The first panel looking at the Pinchet case will be chaired by Dr Clara Sandoval, Co-Director of the University’s LLM International Human Rights Law. Speakers include James Lewis QC who represented the Spanish government and Clive Nicholls QC from Pinochet’s defence team.

The second panel will be chaired by Professor Sir Nigel Rodley, Chair of the Human Rights Centre and is entitled The Legacy of the Pinochet Case: a Balance. Speakers include Carla Fertsman, Director of the NGO REDRESS which seeks reparation for torture survivors and Karine Bonneau, Director of the International Justice Desk at the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH).

Clara Sandoval said: ‘The School of Law and the Human Rights Centre are delighted to join Amnesty International for the 10th anniversary of Pinochet’s arrest in London and the ground breaking decision by the House of Lords in the case.’

‘The Pinochet case made an important contribution to fighting against impunity in the world and has been instrumental in pushing forward the investigation and prosecution of serious human rights violations that occurred in Chile between 1973 and 1990. Approximately, 3,000 persons disappeared or were arbitrarily executed and more than 27,000 persons are surviving victims of torture.’

Dr Sandoval added: ‘This seminar is a good opportunity to look at the legacy of the case and to hear from those involved in its development, from lawyers to activists. It is a unique occasion to be inspired by those that made the prosecution of Pinochet possible.’

Ends

Notes to editors:
The Pinochet Case and the Fight against Impunity takes place on Wednesday 5 November from 2pm to 6pm in Room 4.722 at the University’s Colchester Campus.

For more information and to book a place, please contact the School of Law on telephone: 01206 874218 and e-mail: csando@essex.ac.uk