has seemed necessary to point out separately the situation of sexual violence affecting women in custody, taking into consideration the characteristics of such violence, as well as its significance moral and cultural development in Chilean society.
For centuries, rape and all forms of sexual violence against women were regarded as almost inevitable and normal situations in war and armed political conflict. Moreover, rape was more aggressive behavior against enemies that violated their dignity and moral and sexual needs gratified step of the winners, so completely devoid of sanction.
This dark and miserable side of the conflict was not enough to overshadow the victories because there were few voices willing to acknowledge their existence and call it a crime. Difficulties, these complaints have grown, showing the Gravity of the facts and consequences.
rape and other forms of sexual violence are prohibited under international humanitarian law, specifically the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977, of which Chile is signatory. These contain 19 specific provisions relating to women, but its scope is limited. On the whole, are intended to provide special protection to pregnant women, nursing mothers and mothers in general, and present the issue of vulnerability of women to sexual violence during armed conflict. It is important to add that sexual violence is one of the most serious forms of violence.
In 1998, the International Criminal Court recognized in one of its binding legal statutes, that rape could constitute a war crime or a crime against humanity, instead of considering it a simple crime against the dignity, as traditionally been established in international humanitarian law.
In this context, rape is an attack on personal dignity and constitutes torture when:
• is inflicted, instigated or carried out with the consent or passivity of a public official or other person acting as an official representative
• Find inflict pain or suffering to intimidate the victim, get
information, denigrate or punish real or perceived acts attributed to her or her family members or to provide satisfaction to the perpetrator under conditions of absolute abuse and vulnerability of the victim.
rape is a traumatic experience that mainly affects the sexual life. It also has immediate physical and emotional consequences of a possible pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease. The devastating effect of the violation is exacerbated when performed by several individuals in succession. It is not only suffered physical agony but also of helplessness before the aggression and the fact that other people are not only indifferent to what happens the victim, but participate actively in the attack. Torture in all cases, destroys trust in other human beings
, but in the case of sexual torture under these circumstances, affects emotional relationships more intimate and close both of their own sexuality and motherhood.
situations known to the Commission
Interviews conducted by this Commission specifically inquired about sexual violence against former inmates. The situations that were spontaneously reported by the respondents. It should be noted that rape is a fact for many women which have difficulty speaking and often prefer not to.
sexual violence against women during the military regime is one of the most brutal forms of violence, however it should be noted that women were detained for their ideas, actions and political participation, not by their status. However, they used violence against their sex, compounding the impact on their moral and psychological integrity.
This Commission heard testimony from 3,399 women, corresponding to 12.5% \u200b\u200bof respondents. More than half of them were detained during 1973. Almost all women reported having been subjected to sexual violence regardless of age and 316 reported having been raped. However, it is estimated that the number of raped women is much higher than where they have been told, by the above considerations and because there are numerous testimonies of detainees who say they have witnessed violations committed in a lot of places of detention . The torture suffered by women under age and those who were pregnant underscores the brutality and severity of the consequences that have affected them. It should be noted that the latter regard, and 229 women who testified before this Committee were arrested while pregnant and 11 of them reported having been raped. Because of the torture, 20 aborted and 15 had their children in prison.
The testimonies speak for themselves.
Prison and sexual violence
beaten and current Police Station [omitted]. The most severe torture was in [an area of \u200b\u200bthe Navy], where the submarine suffered, poor food, mock executions every night, burning with cigarettes (...). The Police [omitted] suffered rape bottles. Genital injuries, blows to the head, that made me stay for a week in the infirmary of the Fort, without medication. Region VIII, 1973.
When I be detained incommunicado in a room then me raped by a soldier when they interrogated me. They said horrible things, I pointed the neck with a sword and was going to be raped by a gang if they did not speak. Region VII, 1973
for violation of the torturers was pregnant and miscarried in prison. I suffered electric shock, hanging, "pau-plow", "submarines", mock execution, burning with cigarettes. I was forced to take drugs, rape and sexual harassment suffered by dogs, the introduction of live rats in the vagina and the whole body. I was forced to have sex with my father and brother were arrested. Also see and hear the torture of my brother and father.
made me "phone" I put on the grill, I cut with yataghan in my stomach. He was 25. I was detained until 1976. I had no process. Metropolitan Region, 1974.
Prison and sexual violence against minors
I was taken to [a compound of the Army] and was sexually abused. We took custody with my sister and a friend. I was the first to be interrogated. I was shown into a room where there were three army guys with their faces covered, had a black bag on his head, one by one asked me questions, but I knew nothing therefore could not answer anything. Then one of them got pants and pulled out his penis and forced me to have to straighten it with my mouth. Then came another and another. In total there were three army guys I had to straighten it, the last one was in my mouth, I do not know who they were or what they were because they were hooded. All I know is that my life never returned or will be as before, because at that time was just a student. For what happened I could not continue studying until then (...) All I know is I can not forget anything. Ground that she was detained 12 days in jail without registering process and discharged for lack of merit. 14 years , Region VII, 1973.
I
raped, I put current, I burned with cigarettes, I did "suckers", they put rats. I think I was in [DINA secret compound] I was strapped to a gurney where a trained dog raped me. Was always with scotch, then a band and then a hood. They laughed, gave us food and gave us orange peels. We woke up at night to lose track of time. After his release he was expelled from the country, alone, without her family. 16 years, Region Metropolitana, 1975.
in my home I was arrested after a violent raid and destruction of belongings.
I was in [a secret compound DINA], received all kind of torture, and hung on the grid current [omitted], mock execution, beatings, repeated violations, internal burns (uterus), hitting with metal elements, psychiatric sessions to forget the torture. I did witness rape with dogs led by [omitted]. I experienced torture and masturbation sessions by site managers
, boiling water burns on my left arm, fractured ribs. My torturer
most of the time was [omitted] and [omitted] witnessed with others. 17years, Region Metropolitana, 1975.
Many women reported similar situations at different times distintas regiones. Los testimonios recogidos reiteran como la violencia sexual formó parte del trato a las presas políticas, reduciéndose hacia el final las violaciones sexuales, no así las vejaciones y la discriminación abusiva.
Prisión y violencia sexual de mujeres embarazadas que fueron violadas durante su detención.
Después de 30 años, sigo llorando. Cuando fui detenida estaba embarazada de 3 meses Estuve en la Comisaría de [se omite]. El carabinero a cargo me amenazaba de que me iba a violar. En una carpa de campaña en el patio obligaron a un dirigente sindical a violarme y manoseame a vista de dos carabineros a cargo. Me amenazaron con sacarme las uñas de los pies (no lo hicieron, sí a otros compañeros). En [se omite] de se [omite] tuve un simulacro de fusilamiento... Estuve incomunicada en bancas días y noches. Vendada todo el tiempo. Era obligada a observar la tortura de otros y era amenazada de que me violarían nuevamente. En los interrogatorios me desnudaban , me
manoseaban y me sentaron en la silla dental y me pusieron corriente en los pechos, garganta, vientre, piernas... Fui a dar al hospital en diciembre del 73. X Región, 1973.
Estaba embarazada de tres meses, fui detenida y llevada al Estadio N acional. Allí recibí golpes, tuve un simulacro de fusilamiento. Fui obligada a estar en contorted positions without moving. (...) I was forced to witness torture and violations of other detainees. Being pregnant I was tortured and raped and molested by a group of military personnel. Metropolitan Region, 1973.
took me to a site unknown. I was beaten, was pregnant, had a half months pregnant. I got punched and feet, rifle butts. They used electricity. I was raped by two men with violence, brutally [...] asked me about my dad he was detained. In the house of torture [omitted] beat me, kicked me. I told them I was pregnant and offered me an abortion . X Region, 1973.
I was arrested in 1973 in [omitted] and I was subjected to torture. He was two months pregnant. I was raped by Army. As a result I was an abortion. I was kept under house arrest for two months. I was free. Region IV, 1973.
I suffered beatings and electric shocks all over his body. I was hanging on feet and hands and covered my mouth with a towel, at that time I was pregnant (one month). I was raped by different subjects, while my hands and feet were tied, I introduced into the water, then applying an electrical current more specifically on the genitals, fingers and belly. In addition, I suffered psychological aggression, threatening to kill my daughter was 9 months in their hand. Metropolitan Region, 1975.
At the time of the arrest [...] blindfold me and I was transferred to [the DINA]. One of the men asked for special treatment for me because I was destined for another place. That deal was struck on the ears, and application of electricity. They took me to Green Gables: always hooded and isolated in a hut [...]
were transferred for interrogation in a refrigerated truck, tied up, hooded. We undressed and we introduced in cells waiting. The torture sessions lasted about twelve hours. This procedure was daily. I was three months pregnant. I received blows under the belly, being struck on the legs wet sacks, buckets of water while tied to a pole, tied with string for hours that passed under my legs. They did mock executions and rape. I pulled out fingernails boys feet and burns on his body. Torture of other prisoners listened and made me listen to a cassette recording of children moaning and telling me they were my children. I made them eat feces. In [omitted] and the product of the torture I was a spontaneous abortion. I never received medical attention . Region V, 1974.
These cases illustrate the consequences of situations affecting these women, their partners and children for many years, but for a lifetime. However, there is an additional effect which must be considered. The scientific evidence indicate that diet, stress, physical and psychological pressure experienced by the mother during pregnancy has systemic effects that affect children. That is, children who were in the wombs of their mothers, are victims of disease, given the biological unity between them. The effects of
the suffering and pressure on the mother directly influence child even altering their physical development. The first impact on the child is intrauterine. That's why
stressed mothers are smaller and more vulnerable children.
children's vision
The Commission also received testimony from children about the situation that affected their mothers and themselves.
The son of a tortured mother, now deceased, said some of the torture suffered by his mother when expected and was arrested. She was two months pregnant in late 1974. Was arrested by the DINA. She said she spoke to him has been put on the grill and the pau de Arara, but what had haunted her most was the attempted rape by dogs. He also said that being arrested was hospitalized twice in the Barros Luco Hospital with symptoms of loss.
She was released after being in the DINA at birth.
The daughter of a pregnant woman raped and tortured in captivity, told the Commission, stating he is a victim before birth: At that time I was a living but not born. My mother was five months pregnant. Indirectly as my mother suffered pain and fear for his torture in the form of sexual abuse and electric shocks, even in my capacity as a being IUD.
Torture against my mother was an attack on my life. In my case, the right to life was threatened and put at risk the consequences of torture. [.]
My childhood was a life full of sadness, depression, trauma and emotional damage due to my parents, that caused the breakup of his marriage. Metropolitan Region, 1975.
Prison rape who became pregnant
Many women who were raped became pregnant. Many of those aborted spontaneously or provoked. Others had those children. I
confinement, blindfolded and hooded. They beat and application of electricity. I hung up and raped. I had a broken rib and toes. I pulled the nails. I was in several places. I think [a compound of the DINA] and elsewhere. Everywhere was repeated torture. He heard screams. For the violation had a tubal pregnancy. Metropolitan Region 1973.
came to my office the military and I moved [...] stop me tied to the regiment, where he interrogated me about my political activism and my family that was left. [...] I was transferred to [omitted] and then to prison [omitted] in October 1973 and January 1974 I finally returned to prison [omitted]. For journeys of a venue another was beaten by soldiers and raped. Left
pregnant and I miscarried at 5 th month in the hospital [omitted], in 1974, during the arrest. Region VIII, 1974.
in a secret compound was tortured, bound and blindfolded. Gave me kicks and fists. They used electricity in various parts of the body. I blew the front teeth from a rifle butt. Suffered repeated sexual abuse and rape resulting in pregnancy. Metropolitan Region, 1975.
A 29 year old woman told the Commission. His mother became pregnant at age 15 when he was detained, the detention was born out of that daughter, who testified before the Commission. In his testimony said:
I represent the test chart, represent the greatest pain, as hard as my mom has lived her life ... There was a lot of anger inside her, I felt. This has made my life and forever, I can not be born into another family, or change my background. I had to deal with anger, the frustration of my mother, but I also had rabies, I had no room for my situation, my mom went to the Vicarage and I?, It was hard to tell my best friend!. I had to carry a backpack eternal ... After I heard, I started taking, took entire weekend, hidden. So I feel that I have many gaps in my teens.
for years ignored the conditions under which it was conceived. When did you know suffered a severe emotional impact.
At first I tried to support her but I realized there were two victims here, not one. For years my mom talked to her, her pain, I think that is just understood that I suffered too. I realized and said, what about me?, I saw I was forged. Her pregnancy ... My mother was the daughter of shame, his parents never forgave
having been arrested.
attended said
the Commission because:
prefer my situation exists, recognition [...]. It has taken me many years to tell, keep this secret gave me trouble [.]. In this genre the title of person, I am this happened to me, I ask you to support me, I understand. Is that before I was not person, because they told me that my case, or I do not box in the space provided [points to computer].
I am a person that something happened after the coup. I feel that we, the children born like me, were so imprisoned and tortured as they were prisoners [...]. You are a victim and not see it. Because there is nowhere classified. Many mothers see their children in the gestures of their rapists [and reject]. Some people carry their missing, others charged with torture, I
up my backpack, I was stopped unconsciously. I can not even define the space created inside me. [...] All the damage they did to me is internal, I have no physical marks. Eyes looking at a tortured, are very different eyes I look at it. It's the same problem from another prism, that view is not present in this committee, do not cover it with earth, we must show it. Region VII, 1974.
Prison pregnant women whose children were born in captivity
situations affecting these women are diverse, depending on the region, the period in which they were arrested and the conditions of detention.
There were cases where the mother's imprisonment occurred during the period of pregnancy and childbirth occurred while she was in prison. The child stayed with her during captivity.
A woman who was in the seventh month of pregnancy was arrested and taken to the DINA (1974). Said she was raped constantly. Their daughter was born in police custody in the hospital Sotero del Rio. Was with her in another room of the DINA to five months age.
Another case is that of a woman arrested in 1974 by the DINA, was six months pregnant. He said he was beaten, broke his front upper teeth. He was beaten on the ears and suffered psychological torture.
was beaten when she screamed. His son was born while she was still detained in another room of the DINA and lived with him in prison for four months.
Another woman said in her testimony: We were kidnapped
our home at dawn, we were kept in the [omitted] Commissioner [of Police] all night, verbally and physically abused, with kicks, fists, standing at cold and interrogation blindfolded. The next day I moved, I was subjected to further interrogation, beatings and use of electricity on her nipples and vagina, was raped by more than two people, being pregnant 4 ½ months. My daughter was born in prison with a C-section caused by gendarmes, when it was convenient for them. 1984 Metropolitan
The testimonies make clear the total helplessness of women in detention.
0 comments:
Post a Comment