Pinochet arrest

On December 2005, a miracle occurred in Chile: the judges at Santiago Court of Appeals stripped former dictator General Augusto Pinochet of immunity.

Just when it looked as though former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet might never be brought to justice, surprising new developments and legal decisions in Chile are putting the general back in the hot seat.

Justice in cases such as Pinochet's must go beyond the incarceration of individuals. The true historical record should be made public and US foreign policy must reflect the lessons learned.

The argument over what action to take against Saddam Hussein is driven by the rhetoric of war. But can peaceful, legal action against Iraq's ruthless dictator be effective? The long campaign to bring Augusto Pinochet of Chile to justice offers an encouraging precedent.