Joan Jara

This House notes with sadness the recent passing of Joan Jara in Santiago; acknowledges that she was the widow of the late Victor Jara who brought so much joy to the people of Chile and who inspired the election of Salvador Allende in 1970 until his murder in the 1973 coup; recalls that Joan lived in exile in Britain throughout the worst of the Pinochet years and on her return to Chile contributed to the musical and artistic scene; commends her determination to keep hope and popular unity alive; and deeply regrets her passing.