SANTIAGO, Chile — A U.N. human rights report released Friday accused Chilean security forces of serious human rights violations against protesters over the past two months, including deaths, torture, sexual abuse and the use of excessive force. The report was released by the U.N. Human Rights Office, which is headed by former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet — a domestic political rival of current President Sebastián Piñera. The high commissioner's report, which drew push-back from Chilean officials, urged the government to allow its citizens to peacefully demonstrate without being physically harmed. “There are reasonable grounds to believe that ... a high number of serious human rights violations have been committed,” the report said. “The majority of those who have exercised the right to assembly during this period, have done so in a peaceful manner."

Source: International New York Times December 13, 2019 21:00 UTC