Versión Español
EspañolThe Constitutional Chamber of El Salvador’s Supreme Court declared a part of the General Amnesty Statute illegal last week.
According to the court, articles 1 and 4 of the 1993 law are unconstitutional. These articles extended amnesty to specific people and crimes contrary to the right to protect victims’ fundamental rights.
These portions of the Amnesty law blocked the government from investigating, giving trial, sanctioning, and repairing severe human rights violations.
“Crimes against humanity don’t have statutes of limitations according to international law,” the Salvadorian judges ruled.
[Comunicado] Sala declara inconstitucional la Ley de Amnistía https://t.co/O35po7hKvv
— Sala de lo Constitucional (@SalaCnalSV) July 14, 2016
[Statement] Constitutional Chamber declares Amnesty Law unconstitutional
Officials said the provision in the law that forbids suing for damages contradicts the right to moral reparations. This blocks a part of the Constitution and International Law guaranteed in cases of severe violations of fundamental rights.
"Los crímenes de lesa humanidad son de carácter imprescriptible
según el derecho internacional", señala la @SalaCnalSV.— LPG última hora (@uhprensagrafica) July 14, 2016
Crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations according to international law, points out the Constitutional Chamber.
The decision states that the Peace Accords signed January 16, 1992 made no mention of amnesty. There was no mention of them in pacts after that, either. Instead, clauses were agreed to to fight impunity and guarantee justice for the severe human rights violations during the conflict.
Quedan excluidos de la amnistía hechos atribuidos a ambas partes que puedan ser calificados como crímenes de lesa humanidad.
— LPG última hora (@uhprensagrafica) July 14, 2016
Actions from both sides that can be considered crimes against humanity are excluded from amnesty
The Law for National Reconciliation, of January 23, 1992 was approved seven days after definite peace was signed with El Salvador. It cited the Peace Accords, which stated there would be no amnesty for “people, that according to the Truth Commission, had taken part in conducts of grave violence since January 1980. Their prints on society urgently demand the public knowledge of truth, independently of which side did it.”
Sources: El Diario de Hoy, La Prensa Gráfica.
