IACHR publishes friendly settlement agreement concerning Chile and welcomes full compliance

December 17, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has announced the approval and publication of the friendly settlement agreement for Case 13.661, Giorgio Vera Fernández, through Approval Report No. 276/25.

The case concerns the international responsibility of the Chilean State for the deprivation of freedom of Giorgio Vera Fernández, a former officer of the Chilean Carabineros, and the resulting violations of his rights to due process and judicial protection. These violations arose after he was persecuted and received death threats from a group of Carabineros and was subsequently sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by a military court.

On August 14, 2024, the parties signed a friendly settlement agreement in which the State acknowledged its international responsibility for violating the rights to personal integrity, judicial guarantees, and judicial protection, as set out in articles 4, 7, 8, and 25 of the American Convention on Human Rights.

Under the agreement, the State undertook to implement a range of reparation measures, including: (1) holding a private apology ceremony in which State officials and special guests would take part; (2) expunging the victim’s criminal record; (3) assessing the granting of a special pension; and (4) reaffirming its commitment to implementing training and education programs for the police on the use of force and respect for human rights.

The IACHR approved the terms of the agreement and welcomed full compliance with the measures relating to the private apology ceremony, the issuance of official documentation confirming the expungement of the criminal record, and the evaluation of the request for a special pension.

The IACHR also verified that the State honored its commitment to ensuring that the police respect and uphold human rights. This was confirmed in an official memo from the Director of Human Rights and Family Protection of the Chilean Carabineros, stating that training and education plans on the use of force and human rights remain in place.

Moreover, the National Department of Crimes against Members of the Chilean Investigative Police submitted an official communication confirming the institution’s professional commitment to respecting human rights, including through ongoing updates to internal regulations and education and training programs, among other measures.

In light of the information provided by the parties, the IACHR ruled that the agreement has been fully complied with and decided to end its monitoring of implementation.

The IACHR acknowledges the efforts of both parties during the negotiation process to reach a friendly settlement agreement consistent with the objectives and purpose of the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights. The IACHR values the State’s efforts to develop public policy on friendly settlements and alternative forms of resolving disputes, and commends its efforts to engage in negotiations and advance this agreement.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 270/25

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