U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Chile

32^nd Session

Geneva, January 22, 2019

The United States welcomes the Chilean delegation to the UPR Working Group.

We recommend that Chile:

1. Investigate all accusations of unlawful killings, excessive force, abuse, and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by law enforcement, including against indigenous Mapuche persons, and hold those responsible accountable.
2. Fully implement the measures developed by the National Agreement on Childhood, particularly ending abuses in facilities operated by the National Service for Minors, or SENAME.
3. Protect children working in the informal sector from forced labor by increasing the number of labor inspectors, particularly in remote areas.

The United States is concerned by ongoing reports of unlawful killings, excessive force, abuse, and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by law enforcement officers, including against Mapuche individuals.

We commend Chile’s progress with SENAME, including of the implementation of early warning systems, stricter requirements for foster families, and committing to close and replace centers where deaths and abuses were reported.  We remain concerned by reports of negligence and abuse in SENAME centers.

We remain concerned that Ministry of Labor inspectors do not effectively enforce regulations in the informal economy, particularly for minors.