Philippe Sands, a renowned author and lawyer focused on international law and human rights, dives deep into the unsettling connections between Chile’s dictator Augusto Pinochet and Nazi SS commander Walter Rauff. He recounts Pinochet's dramatic 1998 arrest in London and its implications for international justice. The discussion reveals the ethical dilemmas surrounding legal defenses in human rights cases, explores the chilling legacy of Colonia Dignitat, and examines the persistent themes of immunity and accountability in the wake of atrocities.
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Sands' Almost Involvement
Philippe Sands was initially approached by Pinochet's lawyers to represent him.
His wife threatened divorce due to her family's connection to Spanish Civil War refugees.
insights INSIGHT
Immunity, Not Guilt
Pinochet's guilt wasn't determined in the English courts.
The key question was whether he had immunity as a former head of state.
insights INSIGHT
Post-War Connections
Pinochet's case is linked to the post-WWII concepts of crimes against humanity and genocide.
Spanish jurist Carlos Castrosana, inspired by Nuremberg, initiated the Pinochet proceedings.
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38 Londres Street
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Philippe Sands' "38 Londres Street" delves into the complexities of impunity and international justice. The book follows the author's investigation into the life of a Nazi war criminal who escaped to South America and found employment within Pinochet's regime. Sands masterfully weaves together historical research, legal analysis, and personal reflections to expose the enduring legacy of human rights abuses. The narrative highlights the challenges of bringing perpetrators to justice and the importance of accountability for past atrocities. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the need for international cooperation in pursuing justice and preventing future crimes against humanity.
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On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
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This book by Philippe Sands delves into the lives and work of two Jewish lawyers, Hersch Lauterpacht and Raphael Lemkin, who were instrumental in creating the legal concepts of crimes against humanity and genocide. The narrative intertwines their personal and intellectual journeys with Sands' own family history, connecting the development of human rights law to the aftermath of the Second World War. It is a blend of history, human rights theory, and autobiographical elements, offering a profound and gripping account of the origins of international criminal law.
What connects a notorious Chilean dictator with an SS commander who played a key role in the Holocaust? This is the question at the heart of a book by the author and lawyer Philippe Sands, which follows the twin stories of Augusto Pinochet's sensational arrest in London in 1998 and the postwar career of Walter Rauff, who spent many years in Pinochet's Chile. Philippe was joined by Rob Attar to explore a tangled tale of law and mass murder in Europe and South America.
(Ad) Philippe Sands is the author of 38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia (Orion, 2025). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2F38-londres-street%2Fphilippe-sands%2F9781399632812.
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