Chilean activists addressed the collective trauma from Pinochet’s regime at an event hosted by LATAM@GW. Key speakers highlighted the importance of remembering victims and the impact of unresolved historical crimes. There is a pressing need to acknowledge the past to avoid repeating the traumas associated with oppressive regimes.
Chilean human rights activists convened at the Elliott School of International Affairs to examine the collective trauma stemming from Augusto Pinochet’s regime. Notable speakers included Veronica De Negri and Marco Echeverría, who underscored the significance of memorializing the victims and addressing Chile’s arduous path towards reconciling with its past. The event, hosted by LATAM@GW and moderated by Rosela Millones, a researcher specializing in collective memory, aimed at fostering dialogue on these pressing issues.
The coup on September 11, 1973, marked the onset of a 17-year dictatorship in Chile led by Pinochet, who rose to power with covert backing from the United States, dismantling the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende. The regime was notorious for its brutal methods, with thousands facing torture, kidnapping, and death as dissent was violently suppressed.
De Negri articulated the political nature of these atrocities, asserting the necessity for clarity regarding government involvement in such events: “What I can tell you is this thing happened. Not as an accident, these things happen by political decision.” Millones elaborated on the enduring repercussions of these violations, highlighting that many families continue to seek answers for the over 1,000 individuals who remain unaccounted for since the regime.
In 2023, on the 50th anniversary of the coup, a nationwide research initiative was launched to address these lingering issues, revealing the deep-seated scars of the dictatorship on the Chilean psyche. Millones remarked on the painful reality of these unresolved matters, stating, “That’s how present, that’s how painful are the open wounds of the dictatorship.”
Sharing her personal experience, De Negri recounted the tragic death of her son, Rodrigo, during a demonstration against Pinochet. She detailed the lack of medical assistance he received, noting the overarching negligence of the government. She emphasized the critical need for collective remembrance among Chileans, warning against the perils of amnesia regarding their violent history.
Echeverría reflected on his experiences as a student activist, emphasizing that the transition to democracy involved a deliberate effort to move past the atrocities rather than confront them directly: “With the new wave of democracy in Chile, there was a big effort to not remember, to keep moving forward, to not dwell on the past.”
He proposed that establishing memorials could play a pivotal role in fostering awareness and preventing a recurrence of such atrocities. Agreeing with him, De Negri insisted that collective memory is vital for societal progress: “Memory is something that we cannot forget because we have a responsibility in this world.” She reiterated that forgetting opens the door for history to repeat itself, highlighting the ongoing responsibility to ensure that such horrors are never again tolerated.
The panel discussion at the Elliott School of International Affairs highlighted the enduring effects of Augusto Pinochet’s regime on Chilean society and underscored the significance of recognizing and addressing historical injustices. Activists Veronica De Negri and Marco Echeverría, along with moderator Rosela Millones, emphasized the necessity of collective memory to prevent future oppression, advocating for public memorials and continued dialogue about past atrocities. The calls for remembrance reflect a broader commitment to uphold human rights and ensure that the tragedies of history are not forgotten.
Original Source: gwhatchet.com
