28
the events, have failed to produce concrete results in the instant case and, consequently, the
crimes surrounding young Kenneth's disappearance have gone unpunished. In sum, while
they were in force the amnesty laws amounted to an obstacle to the prompt and effective
investigation, prosecution, and punishment of those thought to be responsible for the
violations, and to a breach by the State of its obligation to ensure rights, to the detriment of
the victim’s next of kin. 106
92.
In conclusion, the Commission considers that by not taking legislative measures to
adjust its laws to the American Convention and instead leaving Decree Law 2191 in effect in the
Chilean legal system, Chile has failed to comply with its obligation to ensure the human rights
protected under the Convention, in violation of Article 2 thereof. The Commission also considers
that the State’s failure to conduct an effective and prompt investigation into the alleged torture of
Mr. García Lucero, which occurred in the context of massive and serious human rights violations
during the military dictatorship in Chile, constitutes violation of the rights recognized in Article XVIII
of the American Declaration and Articles 5(1), 8(1) and 25(1) of the American Convention in
relation to the general obligations established in Article 1(1) thereof, and of the obligation
established in Article 8 of the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punnish Torture, to the
detriment of Mr. García Lucero and his next of kin.
2.
Obligation to make reparations
93.
Preliminarily, the Commission wishes to acknowledge the important efforts carried
out by the State of Chile in developing a reparations system to address the crimes and violations
that took place during the military dictatorship. In this regard, it is worth noting the Commission’s
statement on the occasion of the inauguration of the Museum of Memory in Chile on January 11,
2010. At that time the IACHR congratulated the Chilean State and indicated that such an initiative
constituted “an important symbol of the determination to combat impunity and create a democratic
culture based on respect for human rights”. The IACHR also highlighted the fundamental value of
recovering the historical memory of great human rights violations “as a mechanism to prevent such
acts from being repeated” and as “part of the process of comprehensive reparations for human
rights violations”. 107
94.
It must be made clear from the outset that the Commission will not examine
whether the reparations program as a whole adopted by the Chilean State conforms to the
American Convention or other international standards. However, the Commission does believe that
certain observations must be made concerning the nature and scope of the Chilean State’s
obligation to redress the harm done specifically to Mr. García Lucero and his next of kin, in
consideration of the fact that he is disabled and in exile.
95.
Furthermore, the IACHR would like to point out preliminarily that in 2009 the United
Nations Committee against Torture recommended to Chile that it should ensure that all persons who
were victims of acts of torture have access to adequate reparation commensurate with the gravity
of the crime committed against them, “including those not currently in the State party.” 108
96.
The obligation to make reparation for damages caused by a violation of human rights
is part of the duty to ensure established in Article 1(1) of the American Convention in relation to the
right to personal integrity, protected under Article 5 thereof. As for the duty to ensure the free and
106
IACHR, Application to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Kenneth Ney Anzualdo Castro
(Case N° 11.385) against the Republic of Peru, presented July 11, 2008, para. 182.
107
108
Annex 25. IACHR, Press Release No. 1/10, Opening of Chile’s Museum of Memory, January 11, 2010.
Annex 24. Committee against Torture, Concluding Observations of the Committee against Torture,
CAT/C/CHL/CO/5, May 14, 2009, 42nd session, para. 25. (The original is highlighted in bold print).