Comment: Gauck’s words are not enough

Chile

Comment: Gauck’s words are not enough

Where is the recognition of injustice? With the rejection of compensation for the victims of the “Colonia Dignidad”, German Federal President Joachim Gauck wasted during his visit to Chile a Chance, says Astrid Prange.

Federal President Joachim Gauck and Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet in Santiago de Chile

Finally: After more than 50 years of extrusion, cover-up and Concealment of the truth breaks through the so-called “colony of Dignity”. It is The 1961 of cult leader Paul Schäfer founded settlement in the South of Chile was a law-free space, in which German and Chilean citizens being tortured, abused and enslaved.

Federal President Joachim Gauck during his visit to Chile for the failures of Germany’s strong words. It was “frightening” how much the Democrats and concealment could displace. German diplomats would have to learn from these failures and always “on the side of the victims”, was Joachim Gauck.

Of compensation payments to the victims of the colony, without the Dignity of the Federal President wanted to know, however, is not. Instead, he announced the willingness of the German government to grant the Victims of psycho-social help and support the funding of a memorial.

DW-author Astrid Prange de Oliveira reported on Latin America

“There is no way to”

It is tragic that, of all things, Joachim Gauck refuses the request of the victim. As a former Federal Commissioner for the documents of the GDR state security service, the victim expected from him the recognition of the own injustice. As a former Pastor you saw in him an ally in their search for truth and justice.

They have been disappointed. Until now, the Federal government seems to be not willing to pay for the still living victims, who were taken in the 60s as children from Germany in the colony, a symbolic financial compensation, and their share of the responsibility for the settlement of human rights violations committed to recognize.

However, the victim should be of Gauck’s rejection don’t be discouraged. Because, as it is already in the title of this impressive film “Colonia Dignidad” by Director Florian Gallenberger: “no way”. Berlin knows this. In April, foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier picked up outside a blockage and released the files of the Federal foreign office for the years 1986 to 1996. The search for the truth continues.

The truth is, among others, the Chilean secret service “Dina” had been erected on the site of the Colonia, a torture centre where hundreds of opponents of the regime of the dictator Augusto Pinochet were tortured. The Germans trained the torturers, and even tortured. And that the inhabitants, the reign of terror of Paul Schaefer fled, found no protection at the German Embassy in Chile.

In search of truth: a scene from Florian gall Berger’s Film “Colonia Dignidad”

Incorrect Consideration

“If all the crimes of the Colonia came to light, there would be a diplomatic conflict between Germany and Chile,” said recently Heike kneese, Germany, in an Interview with the weekly newspaper “die Zeit”, which she led together with her husband Wolfgang kneese, Germany. This managed to escape in 1966, as the first inhabitants of the settlement at the age of 21 years. Since then, he fights for the rights of the Injured party.

The crimes of the “Colonia Dignidad” must, despite the threat of diplomatic conflicts come to light. The German and the Chilean democracy must be dealt with the dark Chapter of their past together, they must punish the perpetrators and the victims to compensate.

No one knows that better than Federal President Gauck and Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet. Both have experienced political interference and persecution in unjust regimes on your own body.

More than 50 years after the Foundation of the “Colonia Dignidad” has expired, the period of political complicity with right-wing Germans abroad definitely. As well as the tacit support for anti-Communists had during the Cold war, a devastating impact. It returns no path.

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