Jimmy Lippert Thyden González, a Chilean-American raised in the United States, recently filed a criminal complaint against the Chilean government for a systematic plan to steal thousands of babies from perceived enemies of the state during the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. Pinochet took power in a coup in 1973 and led a brutal regime until 1990, during which thousands of people were killed, imprisoned, and tortured for political reasons. Thyden González, one of the Chilean adoptees taken during this period, filed his lawsuit in Santiago at a time when the Chilean government is working on accountability for crimes committed under Pinochet. With the help of a nonprofit organization, Thyden González was able to reconnect with his birth mother after learning about his origins.
Chile has launched judicial investigations into the coerced adoptions that occurred during the dictatorship, with an estimated 20,000 cases overall. The government has set up a DNA database to help reunite adoptees and biological families. Despite these efforts, no one has been charged in connection with the abductions, leading to criticism from human rights groups. The Chilean president recently met with the Swedish Prime Minister to collaborate on sharing information about coerced adoptions.
Thyden González’s lawsuit is part of a broader effort to seek justice for the victims of these adoptions. His case aims to highlight the systematic nature of the situation and hold the Chilean state accountable for its role in the crimes. The legal action may lead to discussions in national and international human rights courts to ensure justice and reparations for those affected.
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