Category: Report

 Below you can find the special report prepared by the Human Rights Commission of Chile Woke Up the Netherlands, at the following link Political Prisoners of the October Revolt In Chile

This report is the basis of our fundraising campaign to support the political prisoners of the October Revolt in Chile.

Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance at the Federal Foreign Office, issued the following statement today (18 December) on the report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on the many severe human rights violations during unrest in Chile:

The report now submitted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) confirms that violence against peaceful demonstrators on the part of the police and military has often been totally disproportionate and without cause. I condemn mistreatment in prison, mock executions and sexual violence, which is targeted in particular against women, girls and members of the LGBTI community, in the strongest possible terms.

I call on those in positions of responsibility to vigorously prosecute all human rights violations and crimes committed and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Chilean state must now, as a matter of urgency, show determination in its investigations as well as undertake tangible steps to avoid a renewed escalation of the violence. Initial important steps were taken with the transparency and cooperation shown towards the UN mission. I call on the Chilean Government to comply with the High Commissioner’s reform recommendations. Germany is also prepared to offer Chile its support if and when this is desired.

I expressly support the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ calls to bring together stakeholders from civil society and academia, as well as government representatives and the private sector in order to get to the bottom of the structural causes of the protests. I call on the Chilean Government to involve all sectors of society, including the indigenous peoples of Chile, in the drafting of the new constitution.

Background information:

The mission seconded to Chile by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to investigate the allegations against the security forces during recent unrest submitted its report on 13 December. The UN experts have confirmed what eye witness reports, photos and video footage have shown the world for weeks, namely that there have been numerous, at times large-scale, attacks and serious human rights violations, including torture. There have been deaths and injuries and many people have suffered life-changing consequences such as blindness in one eye.

Vía German Federal Foreign Office – auswaertiges-amt.de.

The demonstrations, which began due to the increase in the price of the metro, expanded and saw the convergence of all the Chilean, environmental, workers, students, feminist and indigenous social movements.

This is a revolt against neoliberalism, inequalities and even impunity for the state apparatuses heirs of the Pinochet period. “No son 30 pesos, son 30 años”, “It is not about 30 pesos, it is because of 30 years”, they exclaim in the streets.

Chilean people are suffering low wages and precarious jobs; the high costs of basic services, medicines and food; the private and class character of health and education systems; the very poor retirements of older adults; the expensive and unworthy of public transport; the privatization of water and other natural resources, an increase in the number of suicides of young and the elderly. Chile, despite its last decades economic growth, is one of the ten most unequal countries in the world.

The government’s response was brutal repression. State of emergency and curfew, arbitrary arrests of social leaders, torture, violence. Pinera has declared “we are at war”. The Chilean people responded with even greater mobilizations. On 25 October, demonstrations with millions of people take place in Santiago and in all major cities.

After October 25th, the government changes its strategy. Announces the end of the state of emergency, a series of social measures, and a government reshuffle using conciliatory words. However, the demonstrations continue, throughout Chile. Just as repression continues. The movement does not have a recognized leadership. There is a network of associations and social movements, the Mesa of Unidad Social, which unites most of the disputes and struggles. We met most of them.

At the same time, the self-organized territorial assemblies, the cabildos, where thousands of people meet and build claims and mobilizations, play a key role.

On the left’s initiative, the parliamentary opposition has joined in the request for a constituent assembly. To change the constitution derived from the dictatorship, its authoritarian and neoliberal character. The request for a constituent assembly has become one of the demands of the movement. Along with the request for the resignation of Piñera and radical social reforms.

The PC and the Frente amplio have also submitted an impeachment request for Piñera, for the repeated and serious violations of human rights that have occurred in recent days. Just two days ago, the government opened reforms to the constitution. Now the question is about the method. Reforms through the congress, or constituent assembly? The opposition, from the PC to Christian democracy, approved in the congress a request for a popular plebiscite to decide how to proceed.

The mobilizations continue, despite the repression and police violence. Also in November 12th 2019 there was a general strike and mass demonstrations.

With outrageous numbers around state the repression and no certainty about the demands of the people the world witnesses an ongoing abuse of power and systematic violations to the Human Rights in the hands of Carabineros de Chile (chilean police) and the military.

This is the report from the Human Rights Watch: Chile: Police Reforms Needed in the Wake of Protests.

And here’s the latest report from the INDH:

• Date: November 25th, 2019.
• People visited in Police Station: 7.259.
• Wounded in Hospitals: 2.808.
• People with eyes wound/loss: 232.
• Legal actions presented: 499.
• Manifestations watched: 161.

Because the fight hasn’t stopped yet, because misinformation is the weapon of our enemy.

Cultural and informative night for Chile

Friday November 22nd 2019, 17:00 to 00:00, Pieter Nieuwlandstraat 93-95 1093 XN Amsterdam.

• Textile workshop: global textile manifestation for Chile and Latin America.
• Info talk: updates.
• Live music.
• Vegan food.
• DJ Rengo Estar.

We need your solidarity in order to help social organizations in Chile.