Paul Schäfer
Paul Schäfer was a German former Nazi soldier who led the infamous Colonia Dignidad, a cult-like settlement in Chile that became notorious for its role as a center for torture and detention during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Schäfer was convicted of sexual abuses and died in prison in 2010. He remains a significant figure in discussions about human rights violations in Chile, particularly as the government moves to expropriate parts of Colonia Dignidad to honor the victims of these crimes.
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Recent news mentions
Paul Schäfer founded the colony in 1961 and imposed a regime of harsh punishments and humiliation on the Germans living there.
Once home to a cult, the Chilean tourist village haunted by torture and child abuse
United Kingdom· 2025-08-17
Schafer founded Colonia Dignidad and was later jailed for sexually abusing children.
Chile's government to expropriate land tied to Pinochet-era torture
Guyana· 2025-07-24
Paul Schäfer established an enclave in Chile where many were abused.
“Dignidad”, la serie de History2 que aborda los abusos de Paul Schäfer en la colonia chilena | SALTAR-INTRO
Peru· 2025-06-14
Paul Schäfer was a depraved paedophile and crony of Pinochet who hosted and partook in the torture and murder of the regime’s opponents.
38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia by Philippe Sands review – war crimes revisited | History booksUnited Kingdom· 2025-03-31
Paul Schäfer was the former Nazi military leader of the Colonia Dignidad who subjected many to forced labor and abuse.
Chile expropiará enclave de Colonia Dignidad usado por la dictadura como sitio de tortura
Bolivia· 2025-03-03
