In 2016, Chile stood out globally as one of only two countries recognised in the landmark academic research publication Does Torture Prevention Work? for having achieved “sustained prevention.” Nearly a decade later - and five years after the 2019 social uprising - APT commissioned a case study focusing on the police, to explore whether Chile’s achievements in torture prevention have endured, and what new challenges and opportunities have emerged.
The findings reveal a subtle reality: while progress has been made, much remains to be done.
A turning point: the 2019 social uprising
Chile's 2019 social unrest, marked by mass protests nationwide, brought renewed attention to the urgent need for stronger police oversight and accountability. This situation underscored the importance of aligning Chile´s human rights commitments with operational practices and created momentum for meaningful institutional reforms in policing, strengthening oversight and reducing risks of torture and ill-treatment.
In this context, the case study highlights four key prevention measures:
1. Institutional reforms within the Carabineros
The Human Rights Department was elevated to a full Directorate, regional human rights offices were created and new internal protocols on the use of force were introduced. While structural changes have begun, deeper cultural reform remains in early stages. A militarised ethos and security-first mindset still dominate many areas of policing.
2. Human Rights Training for Police Officers
Thousands of Carabineros have received human rights training under a national program of training of trainers. However, the training still remains largely theoretical. Greater focus is needed on operational scenarios, ethical decision-making, and use-of-force dilemmas. Tools like the Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering (known as the ‘Méndez Principles’) could help make this training more practical and impactful, as they actively promote training and the implementation of safeguards from the first point of contact with the police.
3. Pilot project on access to legal counsel
A promising 2021 pilot project ensured the early presence of public defenders in police units, resulting in a reduction in complaints of ill-treatment and improved police-defender relations. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, the project was not scaled up. Nonetheless, elements of the model continue informally in some regions—and show how simple measures can have powerful deterrent effects.
4. NPM monitoring of police custody
Since its establishment in 2020, Chile’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has conducted hundreds of visits to police stations. With a collaborative and constructive approach, the NPM has helped improve material conditions and fostered a culture of transparency, dialogue and ownership of human rights. APT has supported the NPM through technical assistance, peer exchanges, and the promotion of good practices regionally and internationally.
Where to from here?
Chile’s case proves that torture prevention is not a fixed destination, but a process. Laws, protocols, and training are necessary, but not sufficient. True change requires institutional will, political backing and cross-sector collaboration.
The APT case study identifies four key priorities for the road ahead in preventing torture and ill-treatment:
• Depending on structural institutional reform and legislating the use of force by strengthening the principles governing the use of force (a draft law is currently debated in Congress).
• Improving training by integrating human rights into all operational procedures.
• Institutionalising access to legal counsel during the first hours of detention.
• Strengthening the NPM’s independence, sustainability and focus on monitoring the implementation of procedural safeguards.
Chile´s efforts to reform police institutions show that meaningful change is both possible and urgent. The various initiatives present a compelling vision of a transparent and professional police force grounded in human rights. However, implementing such a vision requires sustained commitment, courage and resources, as well as continued collaboration between national actors and the international community because torture prevention is achievable if we move forward together.
The case study was drafted by Barbara Bernath as an independent consultant for the APT. Access the case study here.