The Obstruction of Human Rights

This paragraph speaks on how Chile took away human rights of the people including press and political activity. Additionally how the US encouraged this behavior as long as it was in the name of anticommunist action. Initially Pinochet and the junta were supposed to squash communist activity in Chile and then swiftly return to democracy. Obviously that is not how it went down. During this time in order to prevent the spread of communist propaganda, Pinochet shut down all open media and political opposition including the democrats pushing for democracy and civilian rule. Pinochet became corrupt with power. As the church was one of the major political activist for democracy in Chile, it was suppressed too. That is why the Pope intervened. Now obviously the Bible speaks less directly on freedom of speech and press but the implications are there. The pharisees tried to hush Jesus and shut down His teachings but he persevered. With that the entire idea that people were not allowed to openly speak about politics, even if they were questionable, goes against what Jesus practiced.

I think it is important to note that the US was also guilty of this and promoted it not only in Chile but in countries all across Latin America as well. In the US came the red scare and the communist witch hunt. The CIA searched, interrogated, and imprisoned communists in the US during this time. The CIA also trained other military dictatorships in the wave the consumed Latin America. The amount of torture, murder, and other human rights abuses amounted to hundreds and hundreds of thousands across the continent. While the policy on this has changed greatly as can be seen by socialist campaigns allowed openly by people like Bernie, this measure has been turned to counter-terrorism action both domestic and foreign. According to the Geneva convention, there are tactics like waterboarding and such no longer allowed, but other methods are used. While we have come a long way since the Cold War, caution is still advised in the methods we use to prevent terrorism or communism.