Advertisement

Torture, terror becoming more 'scientific' in Chile

By ROB STEIN, UPI Science Writer

BOSTON -- Government-sponsored torture and terrorism of citizens has become more selective and 'scientific' in Chile to intimidate the population, a doctors' group charged Monday.

'Since 1977, torture has become a more scientific process,' Physicians for Human Rights asserted in a new study, 'Sowing Fear: The Uses of Torture and Psychological Abuse in Chile.'

Advertisement

'This report traces the evolution of repression from massive killings and disappearances and the jailing of thousands to more selective -- but hardly more humane -- methods of control imposed in recent years. Increasingly, reliance is placed on psychological terror,' they said.

The nationwide group of physicians conducted seven fact-finding missions to the South American nation since 1985 to interview government officials, human rights workers, torture victims, church representatives and others.

The study claims:

-Torture has become a 'more scientific process.' Torture victims used to be tortured to death. Now doctors are called in to examine victims to keep them alive so they can be returned to the public to serve as a warning.

-The primary goal of torture is to intimidate political opponents of Army General Augusto Pinochet, who took control in a military coup in 1973. Targets have been extended to families and friends of activists and even whole communities.

Advertisement

-Government vigilante squads, dressed in civilian clothes and driving unmarked vehicles, have become increasingly common. These groups have committed numerous acts of kidnapping, rape, torture and murder.

-The primary targets of repressive activities are the poor, social and political activists, and those engaged in defending human rights.

-The result has been a host of serious emotional problems, including a loss of self-esteem, loss of the ability to love and trust others and the 'shattering of their most basic socialization skills.'

Torture methods include beatings, electric shocks -- including to the genitals, rectum and face -- sleep deprivation, rape and submersion in water or urine, the report charges.

Dr. Jonathan Fine, executive director of the Somerville, Mass., group, said he hoped the study would focus attention on continuing human rights violations under Pinochet.

'I think it's very important for the Chilean public as well as the world public to know this is the soft underbelly of the current regime, which claims everything is better,' said Fine in an interview before the study was released. 'We think it's very important to point out this is the real world in Chile today, a world of fear, of intimidation.'

The study includes several case studies of individuals who were tortured, including a man tortured in 1986 in front of his son and sister-in-law and a church worker who had crosses burned into his skin.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines