Museum of Memory and Human Rights — Attraction in Santiago

……….Already when you approach this unique structure from the outside you are alread-ii filled with apprehension and expectation of what you are about to encounter inside. When you enter at the main reception and you look ahead the whole wall is filled with an enormous map of the World and below are picture-frames of all the countries in the world that had at one or other time been victims to abuse and the corrective measures that were undertaken to correct the wrong. Only when you see this are you made aware that the whole world has been affected. This building consist of two basements and three floors of all the materials audio and visual displaying and contributing to showing-off the atrocities of the Pinochet period and even the booming of the presidential palace which lead to the death of Allende Gossen as many have accepted that he committed suicide using the AK-47 rifle that Fidel Castro had given him as a gift. The authorities of the day should be commended for this wonderful museum which incident-lii is also a school as the words on the wall outside says “The artist learns to communicate the public learns to make a connection” so very true! It’s almost impossible to describe ones feelings and emotions while absorbing all that is on display here. There is even a whole section dedicated to the contribution of the children who were affected as is always the case in times like these the children come off worst-lii affected. A beautiful room of contemplation with electronic candles permanent-lii burning overlooking the two-storey wall covered in photos of the many whom they know of who lost their lives during this period and there is another wall with a face of an elder-lii lady and the question “?Donde Estan? “Where are they?” as one can imagine not all is accounted for. Tribute is also paid to the Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez who became known as the Defender of Human Rights in Chile just like Bishop Desmond Tutu with the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s process in South Africa. Coming from South Africa and having been subjected to and living during the Apartheid era one could only think of the words of Nelson Mandela on 10th May 1994 “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.” This is one place that must be visited whenever you find yourself in Santiago de Chile! NB! Entree is free of charge another wonder of Chilean hospitality!...

I don’t know anything about museum exhibition curation, but The Museum of Memory and Human Rights really drew me in. It was an immersive experience and felt like a genuine ‘living history’, as they say. And in some ways, the memory is very much still alive for many Chileans, as the torture was widespread and only took place a few decades ago.

Pinochet came to power in a violent coup in 1973 and ruled over the country for almost two decades. The stories of the torture and repression committed against civilians were harrowing in their brutal detail.

Why, after such an oppressive and anti-democratic campaign, when a plebiscite was called in 1988, did the democratic vote win by such a narrow margin?

Well, it seems the threat of brutality was simply so extreme and proximate, that people remained fearful of persecution (which did in fact continue despite the regime’s defeat).

But also many feared economic collapse under a newly appointed government whose financial credentials were untested (today Chile seems pretty wealthy, and stable).

Also there were limited political alternatives and people saw stability under Pinochet as preferable to uncertainty under a new government, or the reforms proposed by the Marxists, or a return to financial hardships such as those experienced under Allende the previous president.

As well as a loyal military, Pinochet held sway over the media, and enjoyed support from other countries, not least the USA who were equally keen to stamp out communist uprisings. The IMF also supported Pinochet’s pro-business policies.

The Museum of Memory and Human Rights near Central Station in Santiago, which also features other international investigations, is a wonderful place - a strange way to describe such a heartbreaking experience. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Santiago. The curators and funders should be commended for sharing such a vital and raw piece of their country’s history, that led to thousands of Chileans being killed, tens of thousands tortured and imprisoned, hundreds of thousands exiled, and millions caused to suffer economically and psychologically ...

This is an interesting museum that with additional sources should let visitors understand more the current political and cultural aspects of Chilean society. I recommend taking the audio tour, as it provides a good way of exploring the museum in depth. It took me about two hours to go through the museum with the audio guide.

The museum unfortunately misses the opportunity to be a tool for reconciliation and instead it is a one sided description of the events, without going deep into the context and the thoughts of the Chilean people say the time.

For example, the only event described in the museum from before the coup is a march in support of Allende. Not recognizing that the country had extreme problems before the coup retracts from the credibility of the whole museum - what else is being hidden or misrepresented?

Technically the museum is world class and the building is architecturally interesting. I wish the curators had the courage to take a more balanced and conciliatory stance.

History is never black and white. Ignoring the many shades of grey is dangerous...