Uruguay is one of the smallest countries in South America; it is roughly the size of Missouri (the entire US is slightly larger than Brazil) and borders Argentina at its northeast corner. It is a country of 3 million people, of which 1 million people - one-third of the population - live in poverty and more than 316,000 people live in extreme poverty. This is a far cry from the socio-economic situation of a country once referred to as the "Switzerland of S. America."

During the brutal dictatorship that lasted from 1973-1985, 1 out of 50 people were abducted and systematically tortured. Unlike tactics imposed in neighboring Argentina where the majority of the 30,000 people detained were "disappeared," most Uruguayans who were abducted by police and military forces were relentlessly and brutally psychologically and physically tortured for - on average - 8 years, then released. State-sponsored terrorism took over Uruguay in the 1970's and extended into the 1980's. The dictatorship, believing they had instilled enough fear in the popluace to maintain their reign, agreed to hold elections in 1984; but the courage and power of the people prevailed, and the dictatorship was ousted. Unfortunately, like so many other countries that were recipients of brutal dictatorships, impunity laws were set in place by the fleeting dictators. As a result, there has not been a single prosecution of these crimes against humanity.

Were the government forces fighting communism, terrorism, or some radical cult that infiltrated the country? No; Uruguay, revered for its prized beef and leather, and beautiful landscape and beaches became one of history's worst examples of state-sponsored terrorism by a brutal dictatorship whose intentions were to force it's populace into abject subversion… with the approval and participation of the US government. "The SOA was the training center for those who orchestrated the coups, who tortured us." - This statement became a resounding sentiment among many with whom we met in Uruguay and Argentina.

Extended imprisonments, lasting on average for 8 years wrought relentless torture and abuse; "because we were so civil, they became so brutal," stated a former prisoner and member of the human rights organization CRYSOL - all former political prisoners. One woman who spoke passionately to us had been imprisoned for over 14 years. As they opened their hearts and shared some of the details of the last 3 decades, it was difficult to comprehend the extent of brutality that was wrought on the populace. Statistically, 30% of those detained, tortured and imprisoned spent more than 8 years in confinement; 50% spent 8 years in prison, and the remaining 20% were imprisoned for 2-5 years.

A memorial wall was erected to commemorate the lives of 200 people who were "disappeared" during the dictatorship. Some were killed outright and others died while being tortured. Remarkable, 2 sets of remains were found just this year, but the rest remain unaccounted for.

" This new government is carrying out important changes in policy… the inertia from the past presents itself now. We know that, we're breaking it, taking sanctions against perpetrators. There's no doubt we've begun a new path. Until we have resolved the question of the disappeared, we won't progress in the democratic process. We're still far from the goal but we continue on." stated Jose Diaz, Minister of the Interior [see also the following page regarding Jorge Silveira]. He continued his comments by stating: "I have no doubt whatsoever - I believe all training associated with the SOA should be rejected"

Members of CRYSOL serve as the voice for many in Uruguay who fight for even modest reparations. Two decade since the dictatorship was voted out victims are still fighting for their rights to be recognized. The modest requests include receiving retirement benefits for the time they were imprisoned. Citing international law related to torture survivors, it states that they have a right to reparations, but to date, they have not received any compensation. In their struggle for dignified retirement benefits CRYSOL has placed a law before Congress to acknowledge not only their years worked, but the years detained - the difference in benefits is anywhere from, on average, 4-15 years of compensation. Documentation has shown that the life span for people who have been subjected to torture is greatly diminished. Without adequate psychological assistance, and because many survivors live in poverty, the people feel that the government is playing a waiting game, as many have already died who should have received compensation from the state.

"We want them tried according to international norms. Not for vengeance, but for them to take responsibility; for the truth to be known so that "Never Again" (Nunca Mas) will this occur."

Interestingly, many former members of the military who dissented against the dictatorship and thus became victims of the regime have since received reparations and full pensions, but these benefits have not materialized for the rest of society.

Furthermore, carving out even deeper wounds to society, it was reported to us that those who served in the military during the time of the dictatorship, including those culpable for torturing and terrorizing tens of thousands of victims, have enjoyed a doubling of pay with regards to retirement benefits. Even military officers such as Manual Cordero, an admitted torturer and who now lives outside of the country, also receives full retirement benefits.

SERPAJ (Peace & Justice in Latin America) is a human rights organization that was founded in 1981 by Adolfo Perez Esquivel (see photo), an Argentina and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Uruguayan branch was founded by Fernando Willat and Enrain Olivera. The organization was born as a response to the dictatorship and gives support to victims and their families. In this meeting it was disclosed to us that there have been no official recognition of crimes committed and no systematic investigation.

With the passage of the Law of Impunity, the state renounces its ability to uphold justice. "It as if the fire department stated that they can't put out fires." Many agree that the law needs to be annulled, yet in previous years when this law came to a second vote, the people voted to keep it in place. Why? All the violent criminals, torturers, death squads, dictators and their families are still at large. Living comfortably throughout Uruguay - they make up much of the upper class. In yet another round of state-sponsored terror, billboards were erected and leaflets were circulated which threatened the populace that if they annulled the Impunity Law that the violence would return with a vengeance. The tactic worked, and at many levels, the terror that was imposed on the bodies and psyches of the survivors and their families -along with the ongoing impunity - continues to erode the belief that that full democracy and justice will be realized in Uruguay. Furthermore when I asked if torture continues to be practiced in Uruguay the resounding answer was "Yes!" Apparently the use of torture tactics are systematically and "commonly" practiced in the prisons, especially towards youth and the poor.

Try As They Might/ 14 Years