Martín Arrau defends police self-defense laws and addresses prison crisis

Chilean Public Security Minister Martín Arrau has criticized the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH) for its opposition to a legislative proposal aimed at expanding privileged self-defense protections. The initiative seeks to extend these legal protections to members of the Carabineros, the Investigative Police (PDI), and the Armed Forces even when they are off-duty. Arrau accused the INDH of maintaining an “ideological view” that is disconnected from reality and hinders the strengthening of the Naín-Retamal Law.

The INDH submitted a report to the Senate expressing concerns that extending self-defense presumptions to off-duty officers could decouple the use of force from official duties and complicate investigations into potential misconduct. Despite these objections, the Ministry intends to continue pushing for the measure to provide greater legal guarantees for security personnel.

Separately, Minister Arrau is preparing a comprehensive response to the country’s prison crisis. Following multiple inspections of high-security facilities, Arrau has highlighted critical issues including overcrowding, poor living conditions, and deteriorating infrastructure. The government plans to launch legislative and management initiatives to address these systemic failures within the penitentiary system.