Representative of family members of the Detained and Disappeared: Investigation must precede judgment

SANTIAGO.- In the midst of the latest reports of falsely disappeared political prisoners, the Secretary General of the organization representing family members of detained and disappeared persons, Mireya García, reiterated today that cases such as these must be duly investigated before any judgments or measures can be issued.

"In the case of (Gonzalo) Millas Márquez, there remains much to be investigated. Supposedly he died in a railroad accident, but nobody knows where the body is", stated García to Radio Cooperativa.

In light of this fact, the secretary of the group insisted that great caution must be taken prior to judging, especially since "there is a wife who insists that he was detained and disappeared. Surely she is imploring to the Government: 'bring me the body of my husband'".

García emphasized that they are not afraid of more mistaken cases coming to light, assuring that "it is possible that more will be found", stressing that what they are most concerned about are the political interests and intentions behind the complaints.

"I believe that there are political parties behind this, but there is also the participation of the media, who, in the search for information, publicize things in a way that inspires misgivings in the population", stated the representative.