Chileans march for justice

By Jenny Forward

ARICA -- On September 11, the 19th anniversary of General Augusto Pinochet's bloody coup, there was an emotional march by 70,000 people to the tomb of Salvador Allende.

The action was the start of a national march which aims to collect 1 million signatures in favour of the annulment of the Amnesty Law. The law gives an amnesty to those who committed crimes against human rights during the Pinochet dictatorship.

The national march consists of two parts, which began simultaneously here, in the far north of the country, and in Punta Arenas in the extreme south. They are scheduled to converge in Santiago on October 5.

The majority of those responsible for thousands of deaths, tortures and disappearances have not been taken to court. The whole truth is still not known about what happened to the victims of the dictatorship. Meanwhile, there are still numerous political prisoners jailed for their part in the struggle against those same injustices.

Pinochet marked the anniversary of his coup with a personal 21-gun salute at the Military School. He is still army commander in chief.

Tools

• Bookmark This Page
• Print This Page