17 belongs either in Chile or in the U.K. According to the psychiatrist, “[u]sually treatment is possible after the court case is over and the possible compensation has been settled; as the feeling of abuse and injustice does not usually decrease, unless the victims have received appropriate compensation and recognition of what they have been through. Access to justice is the most significant way in which Mrs. García will be able to gain a sense that her experience of abuse of human rights has been recognised as such. This public acknowledgment enables victims of abuse to find the resources to work through the damage and start the grieving process.” 60 57. Mrs. Elena García and her daughters María Elena, Gloria and Francisca were deprived of their husband and father, respectively, in September 1973, and lived in a constant state of uncertainty, anguish and pain, which created serious problems within the family. 61 The family’s living conditions the change, as they had to adapt to a new life and a different language once exiled from Chile. 62 58. Mr. García Lucero described the consequences of the torture that persist to this day, in the following words: (…) with the problems of the torture that I experienced, I applied for hundreds of jobs, even jobs like I had in Chile; but because of [my lack of proficiency in] English, I couldn’t; the torture, the blows have left me virtually paralyzed. It would have been better if I had died and buried. I relive it all minute by minute, and there’s no solution to it (…) when I bath or shave, I will always see this in the mirror, to the day I die (he touches a visible scar on his forehead, above the left eyebrow). Pinochet did this to me, and that’s the truth. (…) the torture that they inflicted on my head left me unable to speak; and I can’t speak English. So I’m boxed in: I go out and I don’t understand anything; I go the store, and I don’t understand a thing. And all that is the result of what? It’s the result of the torture. (…) I have three daughters; they have all married here; their husbands are British. What is it that makes one want to kill oneself? Well, I don’t understand a thing my grandchildren say to me, because they speak English, they are British (…) I am asking the Commission to consider that I do not speak English and am unable to communicate with them. I would like to take them to school and pick them up, to play with them, to do many things, but I can’t; I am condemned to this life. (…) The torture took a terrible toll on me; I feel practically dead, because I am unable to do anything. I can’t go to the stores, I can’t go out alone. 63 59. As for the need for justice, Mr. García Lucero indicated: (…) They were unable to bring Pinochet and the others to trial, so their crimes went unpunished. That means that Chilean justice is one of the worst justice systems in the world; that is a problem that has to be solved, they have to find ways to solve the problem in Chile (…) For me, justice is very important. (…) And how could justice change my life? It has to change; for example, I would like to die in peace and contentment. And what does that mean? That the [Inter-American] Court (…) gives me (…) a small grain of rice, that it gives 60 Annex 17. Psychiatric report on Elena García, Dr. Nuria Gené-Cos (LMS, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist, Trauma Specialist & Section 12 Approved Doctor), December 11, 2007. Report supplied by the petitioners marked as “Annex 5” to the communication received October 28, 2008. Report not contested by the State. Original version in English. 61 Allegation made by the petitioners and not contested by the State. Annex 21. Communication from the petitioners received December 6, 2007. 62 Allegation made by the petitioners and not contested by the State. Annex 21. Communication from the petitioners received December 6, 2007. 63 Annex 4. Testimony of Mr. Leopoldo García Lucero, taped on October 1, 2008, presented by the petitioners at a public hearing held during the Commission’s 133rd session, October 27, 2008. Audio available at http://www.cidh.oas.org/. See also the transcript of the testimony attached as “Annex 4” to the communication received on October 28, 2008. Evidence not contested by the State. Free translation made by the IACHR.