Comité para la Prevención de la Tortura
CPT-MNPT
Summary
The Comité para la Prevención de la Tortura is Chile's OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism, housed within the INDH and established by Ley 21.154 (2019). It comprises 7 independent expert members selected by public competitive process (Civil Service). The Committee conducts announced and unannounced visits to all places of deprivation of liberty, including Carabineros holding cells, PDI detention facilities, Gendarmería prisons, immigration detention, and psychiatric institutions. It has statutory access to all relevant information and spaces within these facilities (Art. 14, Ley 21.154). Findings are published as public reports with recommendations addressed to the relevant agency; it has no power to impose discipline on individual officers.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Independent commission |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Ley 21.154 — Designa al INDH como Mecanismo Nacional de Prevención contra la Tortura
- Citation
- Ley 21.154, D.O. 25.04.2019; implementing Chile's obligations under OPCAT (Protocolo Facultativo a la Convención contra la Tortura, ratified 2008)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All places of deprivation of liberty in Chile, including Gendarmería prisons, Carabineros and PDI holding facilities, immigration detention, and psychiatric detention.