Chilean activists Veronica De Negri and Marco Echeverría discussed the collective trauma from Pinochet’s regime, emphasizing the need for remembrance and accountability. They highlighted the regime’s violent history, its lasting impact on society, and the necessity of addressing injustices to prevent future occurrences of oppression.
Chilean activists, including human rights advocate Veronica De Negri and former student protester Marco Echeverría, convened at the Elliott School of International Affairs to address the trauma endured during Augusto Pinochet’s regime. They emphasized the necessity of acknowledging the historical injustices and the importance of remembering the victims of crimes committed under Pinochet’s rule, which persisted from 1973 to 1990, with significant support from the United States.
On September 11, 1973, Pinochet overthrew President Salvador Allende, initiating a 17-year authoritarian period during which thousands were tortured, kidnapped, and murdered. De Negri highlighted the systematic nature of these atrocities, stating, “What I can tell you is this thing happened. Not as an accident, these things happen by political decision.”
Researcher Rosela Millones noted that the violence of the Pinochet regime continues to impact contemporary Chilean society. The emotional and societal scars remain evident, with many families still searching for over 1,000 “disappeared” individuals. She remarked that it took years for Chileans to begin addressing the regime’s violent legacy and that recent government efforts aim to uncover the truth.
De Negri shared a personal account of her son Rodrigo, who was tragically killed during a protest, underscoring the need for remembrance and the dangers of societal amnesia regarding the past. She stressed that many Chileans have begun to forget the brutal history and called for collective remembrance to prevent future atrocities.
Echeverría recounted his experiences as a student activist, explaining that the democratic government that succeeded Pinochet opted to overlook the past rather than engage with it. He insisted that establishing public memorials is crucial for confronting this dark history, fostering a collective understanding of its implications.
Both activists underscored the critical role of memory in preventing the repetition of such horrific events: “Memory is something that we cannot forget because we have a responsibility in this world,” De Negri stated, emphasizing the urgent need for societal awareness and accountability regarding historical injustices.
The discussion among Chilean activists highlights the profound impact of Augusto Pinochet’s regime on current Chilean society. Their emphasis on the importance of remembering past atrocities and confronting historical injustices serves as a warning against the dangers of societal amnesia. Both De Negri and Echeverría argue for memorialization as a means of ensuring that such violations of human rights are not repeated, promoting a culture of remembrance and accountability.
Original Source: gwhatchet.com
