Justice, gradually or not at all

Patricio Aylwin’s method of moving forward after a period of state-sponsored violence balanced the moral and practical, although perhaps leaning toward practical in order to avoid another military takeover. Aylwin capitalized on the “no” vote to Pinochet’s plebiscite, but he also allowed for Pinochet to leave the political arena with some dignity (first stepping down to army commander in chief). While this may not have offered victims of torture the kind of catharsis they would have preferred and even deserved, Aylwin recognized that long-term justice and democracy could only be achieved in steps. His establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recognized the atrocities committed similarly to Brasil: Nunca Mais. Once the report was published, Pinochet eventually resigned from government, and the Chilean judicial system could move forward with prosecution of the torturers from the previous regime. Aylwin’s decision integrated morality with practicality because had he immediately prosecuted Pinochet, the military likely would have staged another coup and Aylwin would not have been able to achieve any sort of retribution for Chile’s victims.

2 thoughts on “Justice, gradually or not at all

  1. I really like your use of the word “steps”. It seems we agree that the government must establish itself first, preventing democratic backsliding by removing people from office. This is the first step. The next step is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which teaches the country’s past atrocities to the public, thereby remembering them and not letting those memories drift away. The intermediate steps are building the government, with the final step being the prosecution of select individuals.

  2. I think this is an important example to cite because of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It seems that giving recognition to the crimes is the first step towards success in this transition. The truth coming out gives the population something to hold onto until justice can be officially carried out. Ignoring the pain and suffering of victims will make the transition to democracy nearly impossible as the population begins to see the new government as an accomplice to the original crimes.

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