For nearly 40 years, a secretive colony in the Chilean countryside hid unspeakable horrors: child abuse, torture, and a twisted legacy of Nazism. Colonia Dignidad, led by ex-Nazi Paul Schäfer, thrived not just as a cult but as a brutal tool of oppression during Chile’s Pinochet regime. How did this enclave evade justice for so long—and why did the Chilean government turn a blind eye, or worse, offer its support?
In a story that goes right to the heart of the German and Chilean governments, what justice can the victims themselves hope for?
In this episode:
- Winfried Hempel, (@WinfriedHempel), Lawyer and Colonia Dignidad Survivor
- Evelyn Hevia, (@evelynheviajordan), Colonia Dignidad Researcher
Episode credits:
This episode was written and produced by Anna Staufenberg and hosted by Halla Mohieddeen.
Executive Producer: Ney Alvarez.
Production Managers: Bronte Baskin.
Senior Producers: Marthe van der Wolf and Bronte Baskin.
Post-Production Supervisor: Andrés Rivera
Assistant Producers: Leo Danczak, Sophie McNulty, and Catherine Nouhan.
Fact-checking by Ruby Zaman.
Translation by Diana Larrea Maccise.
Audio editing by Alan Leer.
Music composition by Tom Biddle.
Lead of Engagement: Aya Elmileik.
Engagement Producers: Adam Abou-Gad, Munera AlDosari, and Vienna Maglio.
Al Jazeera’s Head of Audio: Ney Alvarez.
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