Justice for Jara

Sometimes you have to get to justice in a roundabout way. If criminals can't or won't be prosecuted, then they can be sued, and a finding of responsibility is achieved; also, the defendant is made to, literally, "pay" for his crime. This is what folk singer Victor Jara's family is doing in a Florida court against the man who ordered and carried out his torture and murder 40 years ago in Chile. The former military officer has been living in the U.S. since 1989, but a couple of American laws have made it possible for Jara's relatives to sue him for the crime he committed in Chile all those years ago.

One previous case against a Chilean army officer living in the U.S. is a precedent. Let's hope that it is followed in this case.

Note: I''ll be back on September 17, God willing.

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