25 July 2010 Last updated at 14:39 ET
Chile president rules out pardon for military abuses
President Sebastian Pinera of Chile has rejected a plea by the Roman Catholic Church that he pardon members of the armed forces over human rights abuses committed during military rule.
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But Mr Pinera rejected the suggestion saying: "I have reached the conclusion that it would not be prudent or convenient in the current circumstances to promote a new law of general pardon.
"These proposals continue to create tensions and divisions between Chileans, and have reopened old wounds and the rancours of the past".
He said individual cases would be considered in a "very prudent and restrictive manner", but not if they involved serious crimes such as murder, terrorism, rape or crimes against humanity.
The bishop's proposal provoked anger among families of those tortured and killed or disappeared under military rule
More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10756568