ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the problem of human rights in processes of political democratization—specifically, with reference to transitions from military to democratic regimes in the Southern Cone of Latin America. It analyzes historically bounded rather than general in its method of inquiry. The chapter examines pertains to the nature of the human rights problem in democratic transitions and the measures that are carried out during such transitions and their impact on human rights outcomes. It deals with the prospects for debates about human rights issues in processes of democratic consolidation. The chapter is concerned with the impact on human right outcomes of measures taken during democratic transitions. The attitudes and alliances of the rightist parties will likely combine to deny a congressional majority in support of institutional changes that can bring about a definitive solution to the human rights problem. The institutional problem constrains policy options and undermines the political will for achieving the program of Truth, Justice, and Reparation.
