Speech #930116737

Senator KENNEDY is introducing an identical resolution. As a result of last weeks coup detat in Santiago it is reported that more than 5.000 persons are now being held in custody. Those being held include former high government officials. members of both houses of the Chilean Congress. numerous students and professors and nonChilean nationals who are political refugees from their home countries. These prisoners are civilians. but the Government of Chile has announced its intention to try them in military courts. All of us have a responsibility to express our concern. through our own Government. that the cases of these prisoners be handled in compliance with international legal standards and conventions on human rights. Although the change in government in Chile is a matter which should be free from active foreign intervention. the protection of human rights is a legitimate interest of all persons throughout the world who believe in maintaining standards of due process under humanitarian laws. Such standards do exist and it is the responsibility of every government to see that they are observed. In the current situation in Chile. the relevant international legal instruments are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. the Geneva Conventions. the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. the Declaration on Territorial Asylum and the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. These instruments make guarantees such as the right of political asylum and safe conduct and humane treatment of prisoners. Regarding the large number of nonChilean nationals who are political refugees from their home countries. these instruments prohibit Chile from deporting them to their home countries or other countries where they would likely be subject to persecution. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has issued a statement asking that foreign refugees in Chile not be repatriated against their will. But so far there is no indication that the United States has taken a firm stand in behalf of these refugees. In an atmosphere of international suspicion concerning the U.S. role in the coup in Chile. it is particularly important for this country to make strong representations on behalf of the rights of the political prisoners. If the United States remains silent on this subject. our motives will become even more suspect in the international community.