Police ‘abused protesters’ rights’

A United Nation human rights report accuses Chilean security forces of serious human rights violations against protesters over the past two months, including deaths, torture, sexual abuse and the use of excessive force.

The report was released yesterday by the UN Human Rights Office, which is headed by former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, a domestic political rival of current President Sebastian Pinera.

The high commissioner’s report, which drew pushback from Chilean officials, urged the government to allow its citizens to peacefully demonstrate without being physically harmed. ‘‘The majority of those who have exercised the right to assembly during this period have done so in a peaceful manner.’’

Unrest was sparked across Chile on October 18 when a student protest over a modest increase in subway fares turned into a much larger and broader movement with a long list of demands that largely have to do with the wide gap between the rich and ordinary Chileans.

The protesters have called for reforms to health care, education, the pension system and even the constitution, which dates back to 1980 and a military dictatorship.

The UN report concurs with the assertions of other organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

The UN investigation highlighted the roughly 350 people left with eye or facial injuries caused by security forces firing shotguns at close proximity to demonstrators.

The investigation also concluded that a large number of detainees were mistreated. Some involved sexual violence, simulated executions and threats that people would be made to disappear, which amounted to torture, the High Commissioner’s Office said.

Chile’s undersecretary of human rights for the Ministry of Justice, Lorena Recabarren, said the criticism was premature because officials were still investigating the alleged acts and punishing perpetrators.

Police say they have launched 856 internal investigations, and have fired eight riot police accused of ‘‘serious breach of protocols’’. Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel says the riot police will change their name and headquarters, and that many members will undergo retraining.