U.N. Commission on Human Rights, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/1994/31 (1994)(Nigel Rodley, Special Rapporteur).

Chile


Information transmitted to the Government and replies received

92. By letter dated 1 September 1993 the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had received information on 47 cases of torture, reported to have occurred between 1991 and 1993. These cases are described in the following paragraphs, together with the replies provided by the Government on some of them on 2 December 1993.

93. José Miguel Sánchez Jiménez, arrested on 26 March 1991 in Santiago by the Dipolcar carabinieros, was reportedly subjected to suffocation, simultaneous slaps on both ears and mock executions, and threatened with the arrest of his family.

94. Alfredo Didino Andrade Miranda, arrested on 29 April 1991 in Santiago by the Dipolcar carabinieros, was taken to the 26th Carabinieros station at Pudahuel, where he was reported to have been beaten repeatedly in an attempt to make him sign a confession. The Government replied that Andrade Miranda was being tried for terrorism. A medical report issued by a doctor of the carabinieros hospital stated that he did not bear signs of recent injuries. A complaint of torture was filed on 24 July 1991 before the fifth Criminal Court in Santiago.

95. Magdalena de los Angeles Gallardo Bórquez, arrested on 10 June 1991 by the Chilean Police Department in the city of Concepción, was allegedly held incommunicado for 35 days during which she was reportedly beaten, sexually abused and administered drugs.

96. Juan Sebastián Linares Ulloa and his brother, arrested at home in Santiago on 4 October 1991 by the Dipolcar and Gope carabinieros, were taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station where they were reportedly subjected to severe beatings and death threats.

97. Juan Aliste Vega, arrested on 4 October 1991 in Santiago by the carabinieros, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station where he was reportedly beaten and subjected to electric shocks.

98. Cristian Eugenio Faúndez Navarro, arrested on 29 November 1991 in Santiago by the Dipolcar and Gope carabinieros, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station where he was reportedly subjected to repeated beatings while blindfolded and handcuffed, and to electric shocks.

99. Paula Andrea Carrasco Barrios was arrested in Santiago on 14 December 1991 by the carabinieros. Among other forms of torture she was reportedly punched and kicked, forced to spend long hours in contorted positions, deprived of food and water, deprived of sleep, made to endure mock executions and threatened.

100. Wladimir Jiménez Pinto, arrested in Santiago on 14 December 1991 by the Dipolcar carabinieros, was initially taken to the 44th Carabinieros station and later transferred to the 3rd Station. He was reportedly beaten, made to endure mock executions and deprived of food for several days.

101. Rodrigo Alejandro Olmedo Olmedo, arrested in Santiago on 14 December 1991 by the Carrascal carabinieros, was initially taken to the 45th Carabinieros station of the "Cerro Navia" and later transferred to the 3rd Station where he was reportedly beaten severely, deprived of food for three days, and suffocated with a plastic bag over his head.

102. Bernardo Antonio Acevedo Lagos, arrested by the police on 9 January 1992 at his home in Santiago, was reportedly kept in handcuffs for four days and severely beaten during interrogations. A complaint of torture has apparently been lodged with the 3rd Criminal Court. The Government replied that Acevedo Lagos was being tried for terrorism. A medical report issued on 20 January 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that he bore injuries caused by blunt instruments during the previous seven to nine days. A formal complaint of torture was submitted to the 3rd Criminal Court in Santiago on 27 January 1992. The proceedings were later dismissed for lack of evidence.

103. Ramón Supúlveda Alarcón was arrested by the carabinieros on 18 January 1992 in the commune of Lo Espejo, Santiago. His right wrist was reportedly fractured as the result of beatings which he suffered at the time of his arrest. He was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station where he was reportedly beaten once again and deprived of food and sleep for 72 hours.

104. Waldo Antonio Olivares Fernández, arrested by the police on 11 February 1992 in Santiago, was taken to police headquarters where he was reportedly given electric shocks to force him to confess to his participation in various attacks.

105. Marcela Elisa Núñez Carrizo, arrested in Santiago on 6 February 1992 by members of the plainclothes police department, was reportedly subjected for several days to insults, beatings, death threats and mock executions.

106. Carlos Eduardo Saavedra Saavedra, arrested by the police on 2 February 1992 in Santiago, was reportedly subjected for four days to repeated electric shock sessions and to beatings.

107. Jaime Enrique Poblete Cortés, arrested by the police on 7 March 1992 in the Plaza de Armas, Santiago, was taken to the Central Police Station where he was reportedly threatened and beaten repeatedly during interrogation. The Government replied that the medical report issued on 11 March 1992 by the legal medical service did not indicate any visible sign of injuries.

108. Ulises Bachler Grandi, arrested on 16 March 1992 in the city of Temuco by members of the Civil Commission of Carabinieros. He was initially taken to the 2nd Carabinieros station, and the next day he was transferred to the offices of the Dipolcar. He was reportedly subjected to severe beatings, to mock executions and suffocation with a plastic bag. The Government replied that the medical report issued on 18 March 1992 by the Temuco Regional Hospital indicated that Mr. Bachler's body bore multiple bruises.

109. Jaime Antipil Añiñir, arrested on 16 March 1992 at Temuco by the carabinieros, was reported to have been taken to the regional hospital with gunshot wounds inflicted at the moment of his arrest and injuries resulting from beatings. On the following day he was reportedly transferred to the 2nd Carabinieros station, where he was subjected to such forms of torture as electric shocks, suffocation with a plastic bag, submerging of the head in water, mock executions and beatings.

110. Rafael Escorza Henríquez was arrested by the police at his home in Santiago in April 1992. Among other forms of torture he was reportedly beaten on the hands and feet, deprived of food and sleep for five days and threatened. The Government replied that he had been sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and that he had never complained of ill-treatment by the police.

111. Luis Alejandro Reyes Reyes, arrested on 16 March 1992 at Temuco during a clash with the carabinieros, was transported to the Regional Hospital with gunshot wounds, and was reportedly beaten on various parts of the body, including his wounded arm. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 20 April 1992 by the Temuco Regional Hospital indicated that Mr. Reyes had bullet wounds as well as a broken arm.

112. Maria Cristina San Juan Avila, arrested by the police on 31 March 1992 at her home in Santiago, was reportedly kept for two days and two nights blindfolded, deprived of food and sleep and beaten. The Government replied that she had been sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and that she had never complained of ill-treatment by the police.

113. Víctor González González, arrested by the police on 6 March 1992 in the Plaza Italia, Santiago, was taken to the General Mackenna central police station, where he was reportedly subjected to a series of interrogations during which he was beaten, threatened with harm to his wife and given electric shocks. The Government replied that the medical report issued on 9 March 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that there were no visible signs of injuries.

114. Axel Osorio Rivera, arrested in Santiago on 11 June 1992 by the carabinieros, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station, where he is reported to have been continually beaten and deprived of food and sleep for five days. The Government replied that the medical report issued on 12 June 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that there were no visible signs of injuries.

115. Vicente Vega Moreno, arrested in Santiago on 11 June 1992, together with Axel Osorio Rivera, was taken to the 36th Carabinieros station where he was reportedly punched many times and threatened with his own death and that of his family. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 15 June 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

116. Andrés Eduardo Castro Caracciolo, arrested by the carabinieros on 14 June 1992 at his home in the commune of La Florida, Santiago, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station, where it is reported that he was repeatedly threatened, beaten and deprived of food. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 16 June 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

117. Alex Zuna Espinoza was arrested on 18 June 1992 by soldiers of the "Huamachuco" 24th Infantry Regiment - he was doing his military service in Arica. While under interrogation as to his membership of a subversive group he was reportedly beaten with a chair, kicked on all parts of his body and threatened with death.

118. Alejandro Rodríguez Escobar, arrested by the carabinieros on 1 July 1992 in a street in Santiago, reportedly received several bullet wounds at the moment of his arrest. He was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station in the Gran Avenida, where it is reported that he was repeatedly beaten and deprived of food and sleep. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 2 July 1992 indicated that Mr. Rodriguez had serious injuries consistent with having been arrested and shot at.

119. Víctor Hernán Torres Oteiza, arrested on 11 August 1992 by members of the Assaults Department in La Victoria, Santiago, was taken to General Mackenna police headquarters, where he was reportedly beaten and subjected to electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 12 August 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

120. Andrés Jordán Fariña, arrested on 3 September 1992 in Santiago by the carabinieros, was taken to the 12th Carabinieros station in the Gran Avenida, where he is reported to have been repeatedly beaten and deprived of food for five days running. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 8 September 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that Mr. Jordán had slight injuries caused by blunt instruments.

121. Jorge Antonio Espínola Robles, arrested by the police at the home of a relative in Santiago on 15 September 1992, was taken to the police station, where he was struck on the ears and elsewhere, suspended in the air and subjected to a mock execution. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 9 March 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that Mr. Espínola had bullet wounds in his right arm.

122. Wilson Enrique Rojas Mercado, arrested in Santiago on 15 September 1992 by the carabinieros, was taken to the carabinieros stations of La Castrina and San Gregorio, where he was reportedly beaten, threatened, subjected to electric shocks and to cigarette burns on his arms, chest and back. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 17 September 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that Mr. Rojas had injuries likely to have been caused by a blunt instrument.

123. Alejandro Rodríguez Escobar, was arrested on 1 July 1992 in a street in Santiago by the carabinieros, who reportedly shot him in the right arm and the left foot. In spite of his wounds, he was reported to have been severely beaten during interrogation.

124. Carlos Alberto Silva Duncan, arrested by the police on 6 March 1992 in Santiago, was taken to General Mackenna police headquarters, where he was held until 16 March. He was reportedly subjected to such forms of torture as electric shocks, beatings inflicted on various parts of his body and threats. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 9 March 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

125. Pablo Hernán Morales Fuhrimann, arrested by the carabinieros on 8 October 1992 in the Plaza de Italia district of Santiago, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station, where he was reportedly beaten and given electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 9 October 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

126. Rodolfo Retamales Leiva, arrested by the carabinieros in Santiago on 12 October 1992, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station, where he was reportedly beaten, threatened, deprived of sleep and given electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 13 October 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

127. Danielo Eduardo Macaya Cocio, arrested by the police on 9 November 1992 in the commune of Renca, Santiago, was taken to the Southern police station, where he is reported to have been severely beaten. According to the Government, the medical report issued by the Barros Luco hospital indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

128. Jorge Mauricio Mateluna Rojas, arrested on 9 November 1992 in Costanera Street, Santiago, was taken to the Southern police station, where he was reportedly subjected to such forms of torture as beatings, electric shocks, simultaneous slaps to both ears with the palms of the hands and submersion of the head in water. According to the Government, the medical report issued by the Barros Luco Hospital indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

129. Ramón Escobar Díaz, arrested on 16 July 1992 during a clash with the carabinieros in Santiago, was taken to the 3rd Carabinieros station where he was reported to have been severely beaten, in particular on the hands, deprived of food for three days and sleep for five days, and threatened with the rape of his companion. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 25 August 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that Mr. Escobar had injuries caused by blunt instruments.

130. Eduardo Alfonso González Castro, arrested by the police on 20 August 1992 in the commune of Lo Espejo, Santiago, was taken to police headquarters, where he was reportedly beaten, given electric shocks and deprived of food and water for four days. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 25 August 1992 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

131. Manuel Osvaldo Martínez Garcés, arrested by the carabinieros on 16 July 1992 on a public thoroughfare in Santiago, was taken successively to two police stations and was reportedly subjected to repeated beatings and threats.

132. Esteban Huiniguir Reyes, arrested by the police on 13 October 1992 in the commune of Lo Prado, Santiago, was taken to the premises of the homicide brigade of the commune of Providencia, where he was reportedly submitted to several electric shock sessions. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 15 October 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

133. Manuel Francisco Saavedra Rodríguez, arrested by officials of the Police Department on 12 November 1992 at his home in Santiago, was taken to the police station at the intersection of Gran Avenida and Departamental, where he was reportedly stripped and beaten all over with blunt objects. According to the Government, the medical report issued by the Barros Luco Hospital indicated that Mr. Saavedra had bruises on the face, and a broken nose.

134. Héctor Navarro Salinas, arrested by members of the Police Department on 8 January 1993 in a street in Santiago, was taken to the Southern police station, where he was reportedly subjected to repeated beatings and electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 13 January 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that Mr. Navarro had slight injuries caused by blunt instruments.

135. José Luis Galarce Gallardo, arrested on 19 January 1993 by officials of the Police Department at his home in the settlement of La Victoria, Santiago, was taken to the police station at the intersection of Macul and Los Alerces, where he was reportedly subjected to beatings and electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 21 January 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

136. Daniel Antonio Torres Vicencio, arrested by the police on 19 January 1993 in Santiago, was taken to the police station at the intersection of Macul and Los Alerces, where he was reportedly beaten and subjected to electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 21 January 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

137. José Mauricio Saldias Gómez, arrested by members of the 1st Station of the Assaults Department on 19 January 1993 at his home in Santiago, was reportedly submitted to simultaneous beating and electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 21 January 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

138. Fernando González Olivares, arrested by the police in a street in Santiago on 8 January 1993, was reportedly subjected to such torture as beating and electric shocks. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 13 January 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that Mr. González had an injury caused by a sharp instrument.

139. Juana Enriqueta Baeza Rocha, arrested by the police in Santiago on 25 March 1993, was taken to a police station in San Miguel, where it was reported that she was repeatedly beaten and threatened with harm to her family. According to the Government, the medical report issued on 27 March 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that this person bore no visible signs of injuries.

Information transmitted by the Government with respect to cases included in previous reports

140. By the above-mentioned letter of 2 December 1993 the Government also replied to the cases referred to in the following paragraphs, which had been transmitted to it on 21 August 1992.

141. Adán Eloy Pacheco Pinto was reportedly arrested in 1991 and taken to the 3rd police station in Santiago. According to the Government, he was charged under Law No. 12.927 on the Security of the State and sentenced to imprisonment. During the proceedings he never complained of having been tortured. A medical report issued by a doctor of the Carabinieros hospital stated that Pacheco Pinto did not bear signs of recent injuries.

142. Nelson Ernesto Ruz Aguilera, Alfredo Heriberto Marchant Figueroa and Francisco Javier Diaz Trujillo were arrested in May 1991 and taken to the 3rd police station. The Government replied that they were being tried under the Arms Control Law.

143. Ana María Sepúlveda Sanhueza was arrested in March 1992 and taken to the Central Investigations Barracks. The Government replied that she was being tried for terrorism. She had never complained before the court of having been tortured. A medical report issued on 11 March 1993 by the legal medical service indicated that there were no visible signs of injuries.

144. Alicia Lira Matus was arrested in November 1991 while taking part in a peaceful demonstration. According to the Government, a complaint for torture was lodged with the 5th Criminal Court in Santiago. The case was, however, dismissed on 1 December 1992 for lack of evidence.

145. With respect to the cases of Bernarda Eugenia Valenzuela Montecinos, Juan Carlos Chávez Pilquil, Jorge Alfredo de la Fuente Llanos, Mario Valenzuela Martínez, Roberto Antonio Morales Pinochet, Nélida Molina Morgado, Lorena Reyes Anderson, José Antonio Sabat Méndez, Francisco Olea Lagos, Cristián Cárdenas Jofré, Mirentchu Vivanco Figueroa, Antonio Lenín Sánchez Pardo, José Cristián Arriagada Melo and Jorge Antonio Concha Meza, the Government replied that no formal complaints had been lodged with the judicial authorities and, therefore, no investigation into the veracity of the allegations had been carried out.


Home || Treaties || Search || Links