Still searching for justice, Chile marks the 42nd anniversary of military coup
- 9 years ago
Remembering a painful past, Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet said the truth must be told and justice be served for thousands of victims of the country’s dictatorship. She made the statement as Chileans marked the 42nd anniversary of the coup which ousted democratically-elected President Salvador Allende and began the 17-year-long dictatorship of General Pinochet on September 11, 1973.
In total 40,018 people were either killed, tortured or imprisoned for political reasons. Around 75 of 1073 ex-Pinochet era agents are serving prison sentences for human rights violations.
“It has not been easy, but we have been able to transform a tragedy like the one we had to live 42 years ago into a victory of democracy, a defeat of death in the hands of life,” said Bachelet during a ceremony paying tribute to former President Allende. She also announced the creation of a special Human Rights Unit, which awaits approval from Congress.
Bachelet’s father was a victim of the Pinochet regime. In N
In total 40,018 people were either killed, tortured or imprisoned for political reasons. Around 75 of 1073 ex-Pinochet era agents are serving prison sentences for human rights violations.
“It has not been easy, but we have been able to transform a tragedy like the one we had to live 42 years ago into a victory of democracy, a defeat of death in the hands of life,” said Bachelet during a ceremony paying tribute to former President Allende. She also announced the creation of a special Human Rights Unit, which awaits approval from Congress.
Bachelet’s father was a victim of the Pinochet regime. In N