Vulnerable groups of special protection by the National Institute of Human Rights (NIHR) who could and should focus on based on the doctrine and comparative ibero-American experience?

Abstract

This article studies the National Institute of Human Rights (NIHR) of Chile in its activity of promotion and protection of human rights, specifically in the coherence of focusing on certain vulnerable groups, regarding its 10 years of existence. The hypothesis that guides the research is that the legal figures for the promotion and protection of human rights (originated by the Paris Principles or in application of these) should consider strategies to make their work more effective, being able to focus on the most destitute. For the exercise of verification and generation of reflections, the dogmatic method is used in relation to the specialized doctrine on vulnerable groups. In addition, with the empirical method, the focus of special protection by national human rights institutions in Ibero-America is reviewed, being able to generate common points and relevant differences that serve as good practices. It highlights as a conclusion that the special protection groups that the NHRI has focused on are consistent with the doctrine and experience of the other ombudsmen, but that, nevertheless, other communities should be considered, that is, they should be added or diversified. This has been done by other nations and it is necessary for the NIHR to generate new approaches in accordance with the reality of the country of Chile as well as replicating some good practices of its Latin American counterparts.