CAT/OP/CHL/1/Add.1
Regional Development. 52 It is also considering the procurement of new specialized
equipment to expand the coverage of specialized equipment for non-invasive body searches.
Moreover, the design of the new correctional facilities under construction in Chile requires
the integration of this type of technology to prevent violations of the rights of detainees and
their families. All of these measures should be implemented by July 2017.
157. SENAME has reported that while control of admission to its youth detention centres
is the responsibility of the Prison Service,53 it has the technology in place to conduct noninvasive inspections and has stipulated that checks and searches of visitors should only be
carried out using hand-held or walk-through metal detectors. Manual searches are carried
out only in exceptional cases by an official of the same sex as the person entering the
centre.54
3.4.2
Children and adolescents in conflict with the law
158. The promotion and protection of the rights of children and adolescents is a topic that
is firmly established on the public agenda. Authorities such as SENAME play a key role in
this regard and have been the subject of criticism from political circles and civil society
organizations working with children. As a result of this public dialogue, the Government
has taken several steps to improve certain aspects of children’s and adolescents’ rights,
including the protection and promotion of those rights, in order to guarantee that the
deplorable acts of the past cannot be repeated.
159. In October 2016, the President of the Republic presented the Plan of Action of
SENAME, which includes, notably: (i) an increase in the financial resources allocated (an
extra 2.5 billion pesos in 2016 and an extra 16.5 billion pesos in 2017); (ii) improvements
in infrastructure, such as through the transfer of property; (iii) the division of |SENAME
into two separate agencies, i.e., a criminal offences unit and a child protection unit; (iv)
continuous monitoring of centres operated by SENAME, and (v)consolidation of a
deinstitutionalization policy.
160. Paragraph 108: The Subcommittee expresses its great concern at the removal of the
former director of the centre from her post in 2014 as a disciplinary measure allegedly
connected to the ill-treatment of minors in detention. The Subcommittee urges the State
party to conduct an independent and impartial investigation and to protect the witnesses
and victims in the case.
161. With regard to the Subcommittee’s concern at the disciplinary action involving the
removal of the director of the San Joaquín temporary detention centre from her post, and in
relation to the investigation of the alleged facts, SENAME is awaiting the findings of an
ongoing summary investigation process. Subject to the outcome of that investigation, the
appropriate administrative and disciplinary measures will be taken if administrative liability
is determined.
3.4.3
Mapuche
162. One of the challenges facing States that are based on the rule of law and which act in
accordance with international human rights standards is that of treating persons deprived of
their liberty with dignity. This challenge is even greater in cases of structural discrimination,
where multiple factors converge to increase the vulnerability of an individual or a group.
This is the case with Mapuche detainees, a group that has not been absent from public
discussions. For this reason, concrete steps have been taken to prevent the recurrence of
situations in which they have been vulnerable. In particular, in the case of Lorenza
52
53
54
28
The Fund is administered by the Office of the Under-Secretary for Regional and Administrative
Development of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security.
Article 139 of Act No. 20084 on Juvenile Criminal Responsibility.
Circular No. 016 of 4 August 2008
GE.17-07762
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