Uruguay's Supreme Court said on Thursday that state-sponsored killings committed during the 1973-1985 dictatorship should be classed as murders rather than human rights crimes, drawing sharp criticism from rights activists.
The ruling, issued in the case of two former military officers jailed for 28 killings, is significant because prosecutions for murder can only be brought within 20 years of the alleged crime. In human rights cases, there is no statute of limitations.
About 200 Uruguayans were kidnapped and killed during military rule and the South American nation of 3.4 million people remains split over how to deal with former military officers accused of rights crimes.
The Memory and Justice Assembly, a human rights group, condemned the court ruling, which could serve as a precedent in other cases.
~ more... ~
No comments:
Post a Comment