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In an important conclusion, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Inter-American Court) has issued a historic decision against the State of Chile in the case “Vega González and others Vs. Chile.” The decision, announced on September 26, 2024 in San José, represents a decisive victory for the fight against freedom for those responsible for crimes committed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and it sets a regional and international precedent in reparations for victims of regimes.
The ruling focuses on 14 criminal proceedings related to extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, considered crimes against humanity committed during the darkest years of the Chilean dictatorship. . The Court criticized the application of the legal figure “gradual order” by the Supreme Court of Chile, which allowed to reduce the sentences of those responsible for these crimes, for their early release.
A major step in the fight for justice
This ruling comes 34 years after the end of Pinochet’s civil-military dictatorship and represents a symbol of justice for the relatives of those who suffered disappearances and executions. Among the organizations that have directly benefited from this decision are the Organization of Relatives of Detainees, the Organization of Relatives of Persons Executed Politically and the Organization of Relatives of Detainees Parral.
The Inter-American Court ordered the State of Chile to review and abolish the reductions in sentences resulting from the use of the “quasi decree”. This means that the sentence of those responsible must be increased, which will lead to their immediate arrest. In addition, the decision requires Chile to change its legislation to ensure that this legal figure is not applicable to crimes against humanity and serious violations of human rights.
Acknowledgment of victim suffering
The decision also recognizes the suffering of the victims, who, after decades of struggle, faced punishment from the authorities. The lawyer Karinna Fernández, the representative of the case, particularly valued this recognition: “The Inter-American Court emphasizes the importance of the proportionality of the punishment in relation to serious violations of human rights, ” she said.
Jimena Reyes, American Director of the FIDH, highlighted the efforts of the families of the victims, who for 50 years have been fighting for truth and justice: “This sentence is one more step on the way towards non-repetition of the violence that “represents the dictatorship.” Reyes also congratulated the lawyers Karina Fernández and Magdalena Garcés, who have been working for 25 years representing these victims before the Chilean courts and the inter-American system.
This decision by the Inter-American Court marks a milestone in the fight against freedom and reinforces the hope that efforts will continue to be made to ensure that those who responsible for crimes against humanity facing the consequences of their actions, bringing justice to the victims and theirs. families.
