Research & memory

Dr. José Quiroga’s contributions to human rights extend through his extensive publications, research, and efforts to preserve historical memory. His work documents the effects of torture, supports survivor rehabilitation, and ensures the atrocities of Chile’s dictatorship are remembered.

Writing about torture is not just academic—it’s a commitment to ensure the world never forgets.

—dr. josé quiroga

Dr. José Quiroga’s lifelong dedication to human rights, rooted in his experiences during Chile’s 1973 military coup, extended beyond medical care for torture victims to profound contributions in research and historical memory.

As a cardiologist who witnessed the fall of President Salvador Allende, Quiroga channeled his expertise into documenting the atrocities of the Pinochet regime and advocating for justice. His publications, spanning medical reports and scholarly articles, offer critical insights into the effects of torture and the rehabilitation of survivors. Through collaborations with organizations like Amnesty International, the Chilean truth commissions (e.g., Valech Commission), and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), he built archives that preserve the testimonies of victims.

Quiroga’s work also includes educational initiatives and memorials, ensuring that the lessons of Chile’s dictatorship endure.

This page compiles his publications, research, and efforts to safeguard historical memory, reflecting a legacy of healing and truth-telling.  Quiroga created archives and educational initiatives that uphold truth and justice.

Memory is our shield against forgetting—every story we preserve honors the truth and rebuilds dignity.

—dr. josé quiroga

Research & Historical Memory

Dr. Quiroga’s research bridges medicine and human rights, focusing on the long-term effects of torture and the development of rehabilitation strategies. His work with the Program for Torture Victims (PTV), which he co-founded in 1980 with psychologist Ana Deutsch, produced groundbreaking medical reports that documented patterns of torture under Pinochet’s regime.

These reports, used in legal cases, exposed the systematic nature of state violence. Quiroga’s studies, often conducted with the IRCT and Amnesty International, explored the physical and psychological scars of survivors, informing global standards for torture rehabilitation.

His collaboration with the Chilean truth commissions, including the Valech Commission, provided critical evidence of human rights abuses, contributing to national and international accountability efforts. Recognized with the 2012 Inge Genefke Award alongside Jim Jaranson, Quiroga’s research continues to shape the global fight against torture.  

Dr. Quiroga’s commitment to historical memory ensures that the atrocities of Chile’s dictatorship are neither forgotten nor repeated. Through his work with Amnesty International, the Valech Commission, and the IRCT, he helped create archives that preserve victim testimonies, serving as both historical records and tools for justice. Quiroga supported educational initiatives, oral history projects, and memorials to honor those affected by the Pinochet regime.

His 6.75-hour oral history interview with the Hoover Institution Archives (2007) offers a firsthand account of the 1973 coup and his lifelong advocacy, enriching global understanding of Chile’s history.

As a former vice president of the IRCT and treasurer of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Quiroga championed efforts to educate future generations, reinforcing the importance of truth-telling for reconciliation. His contributions, honored with the 2009 Socially Responsible Medicine Award, remain a cornerstone of Chile’s democratic recovery.  

Medicine School years
Dr. Quiroga (in white coat) detained in la Moneda. September 11, 1973
Dr. Quiroga and his eldest daughter on their way to exile
With Ana Deutsch, therapist. Photo by Al Seib, Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Press conference UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
Dr. Quiroga and Chilean President Ricardo Lagos
Dr. Quiroga and Uruguayan President José Mujica
Salvador Allende physicians
With Chilean President Gabriel Boric
Healing Club. Torture Victims Program

Each publication is a step toward justice, giving voice to the silenced through the science of healing.

—dr. josé quiroga

Publications

Dr. Quiroga’s publications combine medical expertise with human rights advocacy, focusing on the physical and psychological impacts of torture and the rehabilitation of survivors. Below is a selection of his key works, many co-authored with leading experts in the field:  

Author

  • Quiroga, José (2009).Torture in Children. Torture. 19 (2): 66–87. PDF available.  

Co-author

  • Quiroga, José; Gurr, Roger (2001). Approaches to torture rehabilitation: a desk study covering effects, cost-effectiveness, participation, and sustainability. International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT). This study explores effective strategies for supporting torture survivors, emphasizing sustainable rehabilitation programs. PDF available.  
  • Quiroga, José; Jaranson, James (2005). Politically-motivated torture and its survivors: a desk study review of the literature. Torture, 15(2–3): 1–111. A comprehensive review of the literature on politically motivated torture, detailing its effects and survivor needs. PDF available.
  • Quiroga, José; Jaranson, James (2011). Evaluating the services of torture rehabilitation programmes: history and recommendations. Torture, 21(2): 98–140. This article assesses the history and efficacy of torture rehabilitation programs, offering recommendations for improvement. PDF available.  
  • Quiroga, José; Modvig, Jens (2020). Torture methods and their health impact. Research Handbook on Torture: 410–431. An analysis of torture methods and their long-term health consequences, grounded in Quiroga’s medical expertise. Available online.
  • Quiroga, José; Lira, Elizabeth (2022). The military coup in Chile in 1973, the immediate reaction of international organisations, and the founding of the first rehabilitation program for torture victims in 1977. Torture. This article connects the 1973 coup to the global anti-torture movement, highlighting Quiroga’s role in founding the Program for Torture Victims (PTV). PDF available.

IFEG Statements

Officially established by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) in 2012, as part of its mission to be an international hub of expertise on torture investigation and documentation, the International Forensic Expert Group (IFEG) is an organisation of 42 distinguished experts from 23 countries specialised in the evaluation of torture and ill-treatment cases. The following are statements signed by Dr. Quiroga as one of those experts.

Note: Additional publications may be added as they become available. For access to full texts or inquiries, please fill the contact form below.