Letter: Pinochet's destiny

Sir: On 10 December, celebrations will be held around the world to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

There could be no more fitting tribute to this declaration than the recognition of universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity. The creation earlier this year by the UN of an International Criminal Court marked a significant step along the way, as has the arrest of General Pinochet.

One of the first acts by Chile's military junta after overthrowing the elected government in 1973 was to disband the Chilean trades union congress, the CUT, and to persecute, incarcerate, deport, and assassinate its leaders, members and ordinary working people.

We believe that the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, past, present and future, should be brought to justice.

BILL JORDAN

General Secretary

International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Brussels