When the renowned Vicaria ceased operating in 1990, as the military dictatorship ground to a halt, it left behind an incredible archive, housing the Vicaria's 16 years of documents. The Fundacion was established soon after, to administer and preserve those records, while ensuring that victims of the dictatorship continue to have a voice in Chile. We had the chance to speak with Executive Secretary Maria Paz Vergara Low about the Fundacion's work.

Maria started with an overview of the Vicaria's history and work during the Pinochet years. Launched in 1976 and housed in the archbishop's palace, the Vicaria was created to document human rights abuses by the government, and its victims in particular. Detained political prisoners had no legal standing - technically, they did not actually exist. Therefore, it was critical to document them, keeping their birth certificate, marriage license, and any other documents available. Families brought in whatever information they could, including medical information, so that the victims could receive optimal treatment if found.

Today, the Fundacion operates a public documentation center and is focused on human rights causes in Chile. The Vicaria's files were critical in promoting the movement towards justice following the military dictatorship; indeed, the government agreed to investigate the cases of the disappeared in large part because of these records.

That investigation, of course, is officially known as the Valech Commission. After hearing so much criticism about it at CINTRAS, we were curious about Maria's views. While she did acknowledge that there were problems with the process and that it fell short of achieving its central goals of justice, reparation, and reconciliation, Maria was insistent that the Commission represented a significant step forward for the country. The Valech Commission gave people a chance to learn what happened to their loved ones and some did; others were given a chance to speak publicly about the government's crimes. Monetary reparations were doled out by the government afterward - not a lot, but a meaningful gesture nonetheless. And, while Marcela at CINTRAS had been highly critical of the Commission being promoted as a symbolic measure, Maria promoted the value of symbolism in a country torn apart by violence for so long.

The Valech Commission came up over and over again during our visit to Chile. Maria was the only one to offer any positive thoughts on the subject.