Workshop for prosecutors in El Salvador on jurisprudence and strategies for the prosecution of international crimes in Latin America

August 28, 2013

On August 17, DPLF conducted a workshop on jurisprudence and strategies for the prosecution of international crimes in Latin America and its application to the Salvadoran case. The event was held in cooperation with the Foundation of Studies for the Application of Law (FESPAD) and El Salvador’s Training School of the National Prosecutor’s Office. The Head of such school, Roberto Rodriguez, and program officer for DPLF, Leonor Arteaga, delivered the opening remarks. The workshop counted with the participation of 40 prosecutors from various operational headquarters and the Unit for Human Rights. Participants received copies of Volume I and II of the Digest of Latin American Jurisprudence on International Crimes.

The experts Ximena Medellin and Naomi Roht–Arriaza, talks about the principles and theories of international criminal law, international human rights law and humanitarian law, and examined their application to El Salvador. They focused on the challenges brought about by investigations for crimes such as torture and forced disappearance.

The event concluded that El Salvador’s Amnesty Law should not obstruct the process of investigations related to the armed conflict that is currently conducted by the Prosecution since it is a judge who ultimately decides whether or not the Law will be applied in the concrete case.

Find the Digest of Latin American jurisprudence on international crimes here: