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Universal Periodic Review 32: Chile

The UK welcomed Chile’s position on media freedoms and work to tackle human trafficking, but raised concerns about prison conditions and abusive practices by law enforcement agencies.

• From: UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other International Organisations (Geneva)
• Published: 22 January 2019

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Thank you, Madame Vice-President.

The UK recognises Chile’s good human rights record. In particular, Chile’s strong position on media freedom as well as the country’s ongoing work to tackle human trafficking.

However, the UK is concerned about reports highlighting the abusive practices by law enforcement agencies. The UK also notes that prison conditions can still be improved and we encourage the Government to continue to make progress on prison conditions and work to reduce rates of reoffending, especially among women and juveniles.

We have three recommendations:

1. To uphold procedures to ensure that law enforcement agencies follow the rule of law and prevent abusive practices, particularly against the Mapuche community.

2. To adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections.

3. To strengthen the legislative framework by ratifying and implementing the ILO Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention 1930, noting in particular the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, and reviewing its legislation on the trafficking of persons for the purposes of labour exploitation.

Thank you.

Published 22 January 2019