Chile: Authorities must guarantee human rights during state of emergency

Responding to reports and numerous photos and videos of excessive use of force by the Chilean national police (Carabineros), as well as possible arbitrary detentions of demonstrators, in the context of protests sparked by the recent increase in public transport fares and ongoing social unrest, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, said:

“President Sebastián Piñera must guarantee respect for the human rights of students, protesters and everyone in Chile. The decision to declare a state of emergency and deploy the army to carry out law enforcement functions, including policing demonstrations, in Santiago and other cities only increases the risk of human rights violations being committed.”

President Sebastián Piñera must guarantee respect for the human rights of students, protesters and everyone in Chile

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International

“Instead of suppressing the protests, President Piñera’s government should focus its efforts on finding effective solutions to the demands that the Chilean people are expressing through their protests.”

“The Chilean authorities have an obligation to initiate thorough, prompt and impartial investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions and other human rights violations committed in the context of the current protests and the state of emergency.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Amnesty International press office: [email protected]