London - Numerous tortures alleged against Gen Augusto Pinochet have been recognised as crimes under international law for 60 years, the House of Lords heard yesterday. Prof Christopher Greenwood told a panel of seven Law Lords, who are considering once again whether the former Chilean dictator has immunity from arrest and potential extradition to Spain to face charges of human rights violations, there was a clear international consensus about torture.
"We are not dealing with an area of international law on which reasonable states differ," said the professor. "We are dealing with conduct which for 60 years has been unequivocally deemed to be unlawful, a crime under international law."
Prof Greenwood was addressing the court about the international law issues raised by the Spanish attempt to extradite the 83-year-old general to face charges relating to his rule.