OEA/Ser.L/V/II.34
REPORT
ON THE STATUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHILE Findings
of “on the spot” Observations in CHAPTER
X EXECUTION BY SHOOTING WITHOUT TRIAL
1.
The armed confrontations on September 11 and the days immediately
following resulted in numerous victims on both sides. The number of casualties
recorded in those armed confrontations is a subject that has given rise to the
most varied estimates. The most moderate estimates total some 1500 dead, 80 of
them members of the armed forces.
2.
According to many statements gathered by the Commission, in Santiago and
outside Santiago, when open confrontations in the first days and organized
resistance against the new government had ceased, some punitive actions occurred
against the opposition, which ended in some cases with execution by shooting
without any form of trial. In response to these denunciations, the attempt was
made to justify acts of this kind by invoking Article 2 of Decree-Law Nº 51
of the so-called “Law of Flight”.
3.
Reliable sources that made the special investigation of these cases
reported to the Commission that the number of those executed by shooting,
regarding whom no proceedings are known to have taken place prior to the
execution, was approximately 220.
These executions perhaps might explain some of the cases of
“disappearances,” which it has not been possible to clear up. [ Table of Contents | Previous | Next ] |