This report is the core of Chile’s earnest response to a major ethical and political
dilemma of our time. The problem may be summarized as follows: How can a country
overcome a legacy of dictatorial rule and massive human rights violations if the new
government is subject to significant institutional and political constraints? How, in
those circumstances, can the equally necessary but often conflicting objectives of
justice and social peace be harmonized? What are the moral tenets which should
guide the politician’s actions in such ambiguous situations?