Chile offers Pinochet new immunity

General Pinochet arrived home earlier this month

Many Chileans still want a trial for General Pinochet

By Latin America correspondent Steven Cviic

The Chilean Congress has approved a constitutional amendment giving all ex-presidents immunity from prosecution and guaranteeing them a financial allowance.

The move, which would apply to the former military dictator Augusto Pinochet, was approved by a large majority in a plenary session of both houses of the Congress.

It creates the status of "past president" and requires senators-for-life - General Pinochet and former president Eduardo Frei - to resign their seats in the upper house of Congress to acquire the new title.

The move appears to be an attempt to persuade General Pinochet to retire from active politics, but it is controversial.

Left-wing deputies and senators fiercely opposed the bill.

The former dictator returned home from Britain earlier this month still bearing the title of Senator for life, which he earned after stepping down as president and army commander.

As a senator he already enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Human rights campaigners are trying to reverse that situation through the courts.

Lawsuits

A Chilean judge is examining more than 70 lawsuits alleging that General Pinochet was responsible for murder, torture and kidnapping during his 17-year rule.