Chile has a longstanding tradition of promoting democracy and human rights as one of the core principles of its foreign policy. The country has experienced firsthand the role that international cooperation and solidarity can play in ending human rights violations, advancing truth and justice, and providing reparations to the victims of these grave acts.

The current government has decided to reinforce the country’s commitment to human rights as one of the overarching goals of its program. Thus, promoting human rights at both the national and international levels is a priority for the government that is reflected in all its decisions, including the decision to join GAAAMAC.

Formal ratification of treaties does not guarantee the protection of rights

Chile firmly believes that multilateral mechanisms play an essential role in the early warning and prevention of atrocities worldwide. Ratifying human rights treaties is insufficient: Chile’s coup d’état took place a year after it ratified the the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, which protects the right to life, the prohibition of torture, and the rights to liberty and security, among other things. That did not prevent the military-dictatorship from killing and disappearing more than 3,200 individuals and imprisoning and torturing more than 38,000, including children and adolescents.

Thus, to fulfill these international obligations and effectively prevent atrocities, countries must share knowledge and good practices, and provide support and assistance to each other. No country can deal with these challenges by itself. On the one hand, notwithstanding our best efforts, all countries have limitations and gaps in compliance and face contestation and pushbacks at the domestic and international levels. On the other hand, atrocities, hate, and violence know no borders. In that context, multilateral initiatives such as GAAMAC grants Chile an opportunity to learn from other countries and collaborate in tackling these challenges.

Chile is especially interested in GAAMAC’s emphasis on South-South exchange of expertise in these matters, as there are crucial lessons learned by these countries, that have not obtained adequate attention at the international fora.

Chile’s involvement with GAAMAC

Chile joined GAAMAC for three main reasons. Firstly, its hybrid nature. While States are responsible for protecting their populations from atrocities, they require collaboration from other actors, who can provide crucial insights and expertise, to fulfill this obligation.

Secondly, GAAMAC’s focus on prevention. Once atrocities have occurred, no measure of justice or compensation is sufficient to repair the victims, and communities will be forever impacted by the crimes.

Finally, GAAMAC’s work as an incubator of new ideas. Chile belives that the unique challenges now faced by the international community call for creative tools and mechanisms.

“We are aware of how the international community can work together to help victims of atrocities, and put pressure on States to honor their international commitments. We believe our own experience with atrocities can allow us to assist other countries facing these challenges. However, we are also aware of our limitations. Thus, cooperation at the international and regional level, including through training and awareness-raising, is fundamental.”

 

Ambassador Tomás Pascual Ricke, Human Rights Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs