UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights concludes visit to Chile

SANTIAGO (20 October 2011) – The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang, concluded her three-day mission in Chile. It was the first leg of a visit to Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay aimed at gathering first-hand information on the situation of human rights and encouraging authorities to strengthen the inclusion of human rights in their policy agendas.

Kang met with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Education Minister, Minister of the Interior, Justice Minister, Labour Minister and Minister for Social Development.

She also held meetings with the President of Supreme Court of Justice, the President of the Chamber of Deputies and the President of the Senate. The Deputy High Commissioner also met with the Director of the National Institute for Human Rights.

Kang met with the executive board of the country´s main national university students´ federation (Confech), with representatives of the Mapuche, Rapa Nui and other indigenous peoples, as well as with members of several different civil society organizations.

The Deputy High Commissioner also met with UN-ECLAC´s Executive Secretary, the Resident Coordinator a.i. of the United Nations System in Chile, and with various officials from the diplomatic corps.

She noted that Chile “has been and remains a positive example for many countries in Latin America and worldwide, and is also a voice in the Human Rights Council. It is one of the few countries that is well on its way to achieving all of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.”

In her meetings with the authorities, the Deputy High Commissioner emphasized “the importance of a rights-based approach to public policies, especially in the education sector, as education is a core human right, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other human rights international instruments.”

She continued saying that “Chile is no stranger to the current global human rights challenges. Chile is a solid democracy and has the institutions and tools to face them.”

“Unfortunately”, she said, “my visit has been framed in a climate of violence in the midst of social claims. I have seen with concern as isolated groups take advantage of peaceful demonstrations and perpetrate violent acts. I have also seen, in some cases, an excessive use of force by law enforcement officials. The authorities must investigate and sanction those responsible for these events and also protect those who demonstrate peacefully.”

“I have heard the concerns of Chilean society, particularly regarding the situation of the country´s indigenous peoples, the state of education, and of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” said Kang. “Many of these claims are legitimate and recognized in the international human rights instruments ratified by Chile. I have held frank and constructive discussions with Chilean authorities and have shared my observations. Our Regional Office for South America, based in Santiago, will continue the dialogue with the authorities so as to assist them in strengthening the integration of human rights standards into Government policies.”

Next on her 10-day mission are visits to Paraguay (19-22 Oct.) and Uruguay (24-26 Oct.).

Learn more about the Deputy High Commissioner Kyung-wha Kang: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/DeputyHighCommissioner.aspx

UN Human Rights Country Page - Chile: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/CLIndex.aspx

Regional Office for South America: http://acnudh.org

UN Human Rights - Country Pages:
Chile: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/CLIndex.aspx
Paraguay: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/PYIndex.aspx
Uruguay: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/UYIndex.aspx

For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Santiago de Chile, OHCHR regional office for South America:
Jennifer Ross: +562 321 7750 / jross@ohchr.org
In Asunción: Iris Rojas: +595 972101077 / irojas@ohchr.org
In Geneva: Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9310 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org
Xabier Celaya: +41 79 444 7578 / xcelaya@ohchr.org

UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitednationshumanrights
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR