Human Rights & Law News

Prison riot sparks criticism of Piñera’s prison system reform.

Fifty prisoners took a guard hostage during a prison uprising in the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta on Saturday. A group of family members joined in the fight, throwing large objects at the police in protest against the poor conditions and human rights violations inside the prison. Security was unable to subdue the uprising and police special forces were needed to control the situation.

Chile investigates possible murder of Nobel Prize-winning poet at hands of Pinochet regime.

Just 12 days after Gen. Augusto Pinochet took power through a military coup in 1973, world-famous poet Pablo Neruda was pronounced dead at age 69 from advanced prostate cancer. Since his death, however, rumors have lingered that this is not the whole story.

Interior Minister displeased by decision of Court of Appeals.

In a controversial and highly publicized verdict, the Court of Appeals in Temuco decided to release suspect Emilio Berkhoff on bail Friday.

Survey also reveals youth prejudices in Chile, especially among gypsies and people with mental health issues.

One third of young Chileans feel they are discriminated against, according to a recent study by the Chilean government youth outreach branch, or Injuv.

Mapuche leaders call legislation unilateral, demand proper dialogue with government.

The government announced Tuesday its plans to implement three bills meant to promote the development and political participation of Chile’s indigenous Mapuche people.

Reporters Without Borders says that Chile’s substantial rise in the 2013 ranking must “be put in perspective.”

The international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its 2013 annual press freedom index Wednesday, which saw Chile rise 20 positions in the rankings to 60th place overall.

Piñera sends reforms to congress to increase protection of victims and strengthen police.

President Sebastián Piñera presented a bill Tuesday to reform the nation’s criminal justice system and try to give more protection to victims of crime.

Supreme Court condemns "iron circle" of Paul Schäfer for rape and abduction of minors.

The Supreme Court sentenced six former leaders of the Colonia Dignidad to imprisonment Monday for their complicity in the cases of child abuse committed by its founder, Paul Schäfer, during the 1990s.

Police and protesters clash at opening of international summit against the presidential meetings.

As presidents and business leaders across Europe and South America gather in Santiago’s upscale districts for this weekend’s CELAC-EU Summit, a very different scene was playing out on the city’s streets Friday night.

Amnesty International and other human rights groups released a new book sharing the stories of refugees in Chile. 

“Yo Soy un Refugiado”, or “I am a Refugee” in English, the latest book released by Amnesty International along with other human rights groups, is a compilation of stories sharing the experiences of individuals and families forced to leave their homeland in search for somewhere safer.

Femicides rate in Chile becomes one of the lowest in the world in 2012, according to the government’s National Women’s Service.

Two years after Chile’s Femicide Law went into effect, penalizing men who kill their wives or domestic partners to the highest murder sentence possible (15 to 40 years), the country’s femicide rate has become one of the lowest in the world, according to the government’s National Women’s Service (Sernam).

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