Chilean Lawmakers Clash Over Human Rights Institute Amidst Murder Investigation
Following confirmation that officials from Chile's National Institute of Human Rights (INDH) visited an individual accused of murdering Carabiniere officer Marcos Cosme, lawmakers from the Republican Party have called for the government to abolish the INDH. They propose redistributing its resources towards public security initiatives. Senator Arturo Squella argued that using state funds for legal actions against law enforcement is illogical and that the INDH's perceived ideological bias and systematic targeting of Carabineros make its closure the only viable option. While the act of murdering a police officer is undeniably reprehensible and punishable, and security forces deserve support, especially given their often insufficient resources, the proposal to eliminate the INDH is questioned. The article posits that common sense, as described by anthropologist Clifford Geertz, is more than a superficial reaction; it's an organized body of worldly wisdom that shapes societal norms. Acting with common sense involves judicious and reflective use of knowledge. The author, Yanira Zúñiga, a Professor at the Public Law Institute of the Austral University of Chile, suggests that the post-World War II era reshaped common sense, leading to constitutionalism and a focus on 'giving teeth' to rights by creating checks on state power. Human rights advocacy, including the INDH's work, is framed as an essential part of this modern common sense, designed to challenge power and prevent rights violations and impunity, regardless of the perceived virtue of the individuals involved.
The debate surrounding the INDH's role and funding highlights a fundamental tension between state security imperatives and the institutional mechanisms designed to safeguard individual rights, particularly in the context of law enforcement actions. The call to dismantle the INDH, fueled by a specific incident, reflects a common governance challenge: balancing immediate public sentiment and perceived security needs against the long-term, systemic function of independent oversight bodies. From a public policy perspective, the effectiveness and resource allocation of such institutions warrant continuous evaluation. However, the proposed solution of elimination rather than reform or reallocation of specific functions may overlook the potential systemic risks associated with concentrating unchecked power within security apparatuses. The analysis suggests that the INDH's mandate, as a check on state power, is rooted in a post-historical shift towards robust human rights protections, and its perceived 'inconvenience' to power is intrinsic to its purpose. Evaluating such bodies requires considering their role in preventing potential future abuses and ensuring accountability, rather than solely reacting to isolated, albeit serious, incidents.
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