The Wire

Chilean naval ship “La Esmeralda” has arrived in Brisbane. The training vessel also serves as a “roving” ambassador for the Chilean government. However for many Chileans, the Esmeralda symbolises Chile’s brutal past under General Augusto Pinochet ‘s military dictatorship and its arrival in Brisbane has stirred up painful memories.

Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of political imprisonment and torture aboard the Esmeralda beginning in 1973, after a military coup ousted the democratically-elected government and brought to power General Augusto Pinochet. Amnesty says survivors of interrogation aboard the Esmeralda testify to savage beatings, electric shocks, and sexual assault.