Survivors and relatives of the victims of Chile's military dictatorship are getting another chance to register for compensation. A special committee from a Human Rights Institution created by President Michelle Bachelet will investigate the new claims over a six-month period.

In 2003, thousands of Chileans received government compensation after proving they or their relatives went missing, were executed or suffered torture under General Augusto Pinochet's regime. People who failed in their claim will now be given a second chance to prove their case.

The committee says about 28,000 people suffered under the junta regime. Victims' organisations are angry that the new institute does not have the power to institute prosecutions for crimes committed at the time.

photo: anti-Pinochet protester is led away in 1985 (EPA)