Pinochet
Do you think that England’s forcible seizure of Pinochet, a non-citizen, for crimes committed in another country, is an appropriate exercise of international jurisdiction?
The forcible seizure of Pinochet in England was an appropriate action of international jurisdiction in the interest of serving justice, fairness, and equality in crimes against humanity. Pinochet, a Chilean, was the perpetrator in the torture and murder of thousands of Chileans. The torture and murders were perpetrated in the 17years of Pinochet dictatorship. In this regard, when Pinochet was found in England, he was forcefully arrested and detained for crimes he had committed in his country despite being a non-citizen of England.
The arrest and detention of Pinochet in England were appropriate in the saying that abuse of human rights in any part of the world is a crime against humanity. The fact that Pinochet’s actions during his 17 years in leadership resulted in mass torture and murder makes him liable to charges of human rights violation; thus, he could be arrested and forwarded to the relevant authorities such as the International Criminal Court (Langer, 2011). The arresting of a person considered to be a criminal court in another jurisdiction facilitates effective and efficient in forwarding them to international criminal court compared to when they are in their country of origin.
The arrests and detaining of international criminals in foreign jurisdiction enhances the finding of justice and equality for the victims since the criminal justice process will not be interfered with or compromised (Langer, 2011). It is important to note that international criminals possess immense power within their jurisdiction to compromise and influence the criminal justice proceedings and processes. For instance, they can interfere with the investigations in their favor and at the victims’ expense.
Countries that are signatory to international treaties and laws on human rights have a duty and obligation to ensure the law’s adherence by the countries within the international community and individuals in the respective countries (Ryngaert, 2012). In this regard, countries that are signatories of treaties and conventions such as the Hague conventions have duties and responsibilities to make decisions and take actions aligned to the different treaties, laws, and conventions. Therefore, England’s actions to arrest and detain Pinochet, who was liable to charges against human rights violations, were appropriate and in order.
The forcible arrests and detention of Pinochet in England for crimes against humanity in England were appropriate despite him not being a citizen of England since it set a perfect example to the world that England, just like any other country that is a signatory to international laws are against the violation of human rights (Ryngaert, 2012). The fact that non-citizens can be arrested, detained, and forwarded to the relevant authorities creates a deterrent effect on international citizens involved in the violation of human rights. The coordination and cooperation of nations in handling international criminals involved in violating human rights upholds peace and prosperity in regions worldwide. Therefore, world peace and observation of human rights can be achieved by observing international laws on human rights.
Conclusion
International criminals involved in crimes against humanity need to be arrested and detained in any locations across the globe before they are forwarded to the relevant international authority to deliberate their matter. The arrest of Pinochet in England was in line with international law, conventions, treaties, duties, and obligations directed towards eliminating international crime against humanity.
References
Langer, M. (2011). The diplomacy of universal jurisdiction: The political branches and the transnational prosecution of international crimes. American Journal of International Law, 105(1), 1-49.
Ryngaert, C. M. J. (2012). Arrest and Detention: The Role of the International Prosecutor.
