José Zalaquett, LL.M. Closed Now

José Zalaquett (1942–2020) was a Chilean lawyer, human rights defender, and one of the foremost architects of modern transitional justice. Internationally recognized for his work on truth commissions and human rights law, Zalaquett played a crucial role in developing principles that continue to guide societies confronting legacies of authoritarianism and mass violence.

Trained as a lawyer at the University of Chile, Zalaquett became a prominent figure in opposing the Pinochet dictatorship (1973–1990). During this period, he served in the Vicariate of Solidarity, a Catholic Church-based organization that defended victims of repression. His activism led to his imprisonment and eventual exile, but he remained a tireless advocate for democracy and human rights.

Upon Chile’s transition to democracy, Zalaquett was appointed a member of the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation (Rettig Commission) in 1990, which investigated human rights violations committed under the military regime. His contributions to the Commission’s report helped establish truth-telling as a cornerstone of transitional justice.

Beyond Chile, Zalaquett became a global voice for reconciliation and accountability, advising truth commissions in Peru, South Africa, Morocco, and other post-conflict societies. He was also a long-serving member and twice President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), where he advanced jurisprudence on accountability, victims’ rights, and democratic governance.

As a scholar and practitioner, Zalaquett explored the tension between justice and reconciliation, articulating frameworks for societies where prosecuting all perpetrators was politically impossible yet forgetting the past was morally unacceptable. His writings continue to be foundational in transitional justice studies, emphasizing the balance between truth, justice, reparations, and institutional reform.

He later taught law at the University of Chile, mentoring generations of human rights lawyers. Zalaquett was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education in recognition of his global impact.

José Zalaquett’s life exemplified the pursuit of justice rooted in both principle and pragmatism. His contributions shaped not only Chile’s democratic transition but also the entire field of transitional justice worldwide.