Pinochet victims to get limited compensation

The Chilean government has passed a bill granting money and other compensation to some 28,000 former political prisoners.

The Chilean government has passed a bill granting money and other compensation to some 28,000 former political prisoners.

The legislation grants the victims, most victims of torture during the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinoche, a monthly pension of $190, which is less than the minimum monthly wage of $230.

President Ricardo Lagos, who is expected to sign the bill into law within days, described the pension as "austere and symbolic".

The measure, which will cost an estimated $70 million annually, also grants victims and their families access to education, health and housing benefits.

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Lawmakers passed the bill after only two days of debate, and the Tuesday night vote came a day after a judge indicted Gen Pinochet (89) in the kidnapping of nine dissidents and the death of one of them — reversing earlier Chilean court decisions to exempt Gen Pinochet from trial on health grounds.

Even right-wing legislators who supported Pinochet approved the bill in the vote. Only two senators, both retired military men, opposed.

Left-wing legislators wanted higher benefits but finally agreed to approve the government-proposed text. Some victims and relatives who sought more benefits protested from the senate stands as the vote took place, and were removed by police.

AP