The DAIA will try to modify the Penal Code to advance in the AMIA case

Argentina, February 8, 2013

The Delegation of Israeli Associations of Argentina (DAIA, for its acronym in Spanish), criticized the memorandum with Iran sent by the President to the Congress and said they will push an amendment to the Criminal Code to introduce the “default judgment” in cases of crimes against humanity.

The information was released by the DAIA through a statement that has the signature of the highest authorities. In it, they argue that “(the institution) is permanently exploring options and alternatives to effectively advance towards achieving justice”, referring to the attack on the AMIA headquarters in 1994, which left a total of 58 fatalities.

And they added “one of the main reasons for failure to advance the cause is the fact that foreign defendants who reside outside the country, constantly refused to appear before the Argentine courts and subject to our law.”

Thus, the organization said that “is working on a draft law amending the Penal Code to allow trial in absentia, exclusively for those accused of crimes against humanity”.

The “default judgment” can carry out the sentence even if the defendant did not attend the court.

“The DAIA is convinced that the proposed amendment will help prevent impunity in cases of grave human rights violations and acts of international terrorism such as the attacks that took place in Buenos Aires,” the statement concluded.

The announcement comes a day after President Cristina Kirchner announced on national TV that she submitted to the Congress the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran for both countries to cooperate in the interrogation of the accused as the perpetrators of the attack.