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Spanish connection: Families demand justice

Laura de Soria has been mourning the fate of her husband, Carmelo Soria, for the past 22 years.

He was abducted by the General's secret police on July 14 1976, and later murdered.

Until then, the couple believed they had escaped the worst of the general's excesses - some of their friends had been arrested over the preceding three years, but none had been killed.

And Carmelo Soria - whose status as a United Nations diplomat did not save him - was just one of over 3,000 documented disappearances under General Pinochet's rule.

Family at risk

The family still has its worries - the dangers for the Sorias who remain in Chile is renewed.

Mrs Soria's daughter is under police protection and cannot go out alone without being threatened.

And similar threats against people who wanted General Pinochet arrested have started appearing on Internet sites.

The sites even publish lists of names of people in Chile who are said to be against the general.

Support at home

Demonstrations in Chile at the weekend suggest that the general still enjoys substantial support in the country.

But human rights groups say the country will never be at peace until the general answers for the crimes of the past.

"We cannot think of our society progressing without these responsibilities being addressed and the victims being compensated," said Andres Krakenberger, spokesperson for Spanish Amnesty International.

Relevant Stories

Lawyers seek Pinochet's release (26 Oct 98 | UK)
UK gave Pinochet VIP welcome (25 Oct 98 | UK)
Spanish march for Pinochet trial (24 Oct 98 | Europe)

Internet Links

Pro-Pinochet information
Derechos Chile - Human rights in Chile

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In this section

Re-opening the wounds of the past
Pinochet saga bad for business (From Business)
Pinochet profile: Saviour or tyrant
The Pinochet case: Timeline
Exiled writer urges Pinochet to repent