Rts Group Blasts Spanish Move To Curb Foreign Judicial Probes
MADRID (AFP)--Human Rights Watch Wednesday blasted a move by Spanish lawmakers
to limit the scope the country's judges have to probe alleged human rights
crimes in other countries as "a step backwards."
"Spain's law is generous and it became a magnet for victims who did not find
justice in their own countries. This amendment is very disappointing," the
spokesman for U.S.-based Reed Brody said in a statement.
"There is no excess of universal jurisdiction in the world, there is an excess
of impunity," he said, adding he believed Spain was taking steps to change its
law due to diplomatic pressure just like Belgium did in 2003.
Spanish lawmakers from across the political spectrum voted Tuesday in favor of
a resolution calling for an "urgent reform" of the principle of "universal
jurisdiction" which the country has observed since 2005 that will "limit and
clarify its reach."
It recommends the principle only apply to cases where the alleged perpetrators
of a crime are in Spain or the victims are Spanish.
Spanish judges would also not be allowed to open a probe if the authorities in
the country where the alleged events took place were already investigating it
themselves under the proposed changes made in the resolution.
The resolution is only a recommendation but it could serve as the basis for a
future reform of the principle of universal jurisdiction and its passage is a
sign there is a political consensus on the need for reform.
Spain's National Court, the country's top criminal court, currently has 13
cases open involving genocide or crimes against humanity affecting eight
countries: China, Israel, the U.S., Guatemala, El Salvador, Rwanda, Morocco and
Germany.
Both China and Israel have recently voiced their displeasure at moves by
Spanish judges to open probes into what they consider to be internal affairs.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
05-20-091006ET
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