translated from Spanish: Almagro praises public order control and respect for Piñera’s HRD in protest

Santiago de Chile.- The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, on Thursday praised the work of President Sebastián Piñera in the control of public order and respect for human rights during protests in Chile, in which at least 27 people have died. The leader of the OAS made these statements at the end of a meeting with the representative at the Palacio de La Moneda, the headquarters of the Executive, during a visit to the country.

“We are particularly recognized from the work of President Piñera, who within the framework of the rule of law, the preservation of democracy, has efficiently defended public order, while taking special measures to guarantee human rights,” Almagro told the press. The general secretary of the continental organization added that from the OAS they “definitely” recognize the work of the Chilean government during the nearly 3 months since the start of the social outburst against inequality, which began on October 18.
The president’s care is recognized,” he said.

Chilean representative Sebastián Piñera (d) during the meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro (i). / EFE.

Almagro’s words, however, contrast with the allegations of international organizations and entities they denounced during their observation visits to the country during the serious human rights violations. The Office of the United Nations High Commissionerfor Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International criticized the repression and police excesses in their subsequent reports and alerted them to alleged torture, unlawful detensions, beatings, rapes and abuses. In particular, these agencies pointed to the work of Carabineros (Militarized Police) in the control of public order and the shortcomings of the institution when it came to implementing it. From the National Institute for Human Rights, a state but autonomous body that has monitored on-the-spot protests since day one, at least 3,583 injured people reported in their last balance of the year. Of these, 359 with eye wounds (24 with popping or loss of eyeball) as a result of the impact of riot ammunition fired by Carabineros agents during demonstrations. Of the total injuries, 2,050 were from gunshots, bullets, pellets, tear bombs or unidentified weapons. In addition, the National Prosecutor’s Office delivered a balance sheet with 2,670 open investigations for human rights violations only between 18 October and 10 November, less than half of the period of the social outburst. What began as an appeal of the students to sneak into the Santiago metro to protest against the increase in the fare became a revolt for a fairer economic model, which has also left episodes of extreme violence with rants, fires, barricades and destruction of public furniture. Although demonstrations have lost strength, discontent remains on the streets and the crisis seems far from being resolved, despite the social measures announced by the Government and the conflict next April on a new Constitution. 

Original source in Spanish