FFT welcomes the decision of the Argentine courts to sentence Gen Bignone to 25yrs for human rights abuses

The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (now Freedom from Torture) welcomes the decision of the Argentinean court to hold General Reynaldo Bignone accountable for the human rights abuses which include torture that he committed three decades ago.

The MF, who have assisted thousands of torture survivors over the past 25 years, applaud the Argentinean judicial system and the persistence of the activists who have seen Bignone, who was second in command at the country's largest torture centre between 1978 -1979, sentenced to 25 years yesterday.

This sends a message to those who perpetuate atrocities as did the General, who ordered abductions and torture, that they will not succeed in escaping justice indefinitely and shows that an effective system of international justice does work to hold perpetrators to account.

Keith Best, CEO of the MF said: "We know from our work with hundreds of survivors of torture from around the world that they want those who perpetrate injustices to be brought to account. The court in Argentina has shown that justice can be done, that the truth can be told and that torturers cannot escape accountability for the crimes they have committed. All countries should ensure that they have legislation in place to prosecute perpetrators of torture. "

It is thought that somewhere in the region of 30,000 people died or were "disappeared' during Argentina's seven year "Dirty War" where the military targeted left-wing opponents. The war ended in 1983.