Chamber of Deputies to vote today on bill to create a Office for Defense of the People

SANTIAGO.- The Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to vote today on a constitutional reform to create an Office for Defense of the People, which would be in charge of defending the rights of citizens against acts or negligence on the part of the State and would also incorporate legal representatives in charge of providing these services to the community.

The bill, which is being processed as extremely urgent –with 10 days of negotiation-, has already been approved by the Chamber with 82 votes in favor and 2 abstentions.

The original proposal dates back to December of 2003, when it was proposed that the Defense Office would be an autonomous organization, of an independent legal civil rights nature, which would ensure the promotion, protection and security of the rights and guarantees provided by the Constitution.

In order to function, the Office for Defense of the People will be able to require, secure and verify the information of State Administration activities as well as public service offices, thus being able to formulate non-binding suggestions, recommendations or reports that would be delivered to the appropriate authorities.