VPI Launches Working Group in Chile to Strengthen Local Security and Human Rights Practices 

September 5, 2024 •

On September 5, 2024, the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) formalized the launch of its new In-Country Working Group (ICWG) in Chile, marking another important step forward in the ongoing efforts to support on-the-ground implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR).  

The launch event was held in Santiago, the capital city of Chile, with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom, who hosted the event, and the Government of Canada.  

The event brought together a diverse range of around 30 stakeholders who shared a strong commitment and interest in advancing security-related human rights best practices across Chile. Among them were representatives from nine mining and energy companies; seven government departments including the Chilean Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Carabineros (the National Police); and five civil society organizations including NGOs working in business and human rights, indigenous rights, and academia. 

The newest addition to the network of VPI and Partner ICWGs around the world, the Chile ICWG is established with the objective of building on-the-ground capacity to identify and act jointly on local in-country challenges and human rights. The Chile ICWG will seek to facilitate country-level implementation of the VPSHR through multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration. 

In early 2024, the VPI Steering Committee approved the creation of the working group in Chile after thorough consultation with VPI Members. The decision to create the Chile ICWG was thus made based on a set of criteria, which included a strong presence and commitment of VPI Members in Chile, the presence of a civic space, and the potential for significant positive impact in the country, among others.  

The event was opened by the Deputy Head of Mission from the British government, Nicholas Kennedy, who welcomed the initiative in his remarks: “We hope that this Working Group will be a forum through which Chile might, in time, choose to become a full Member of the VPI, joining regional partners like Argentina and Colombia. The United Kingdom and the other member governments of the VPI would warmly welcome Chile aboard.”

The launch event also featured a series of information sessions such as presentations on the VPSHR and the ICWGs, and ended with a discussion, where participants shared their views on the most pressing issues related to the respect for human rights in security operations in the Chilean extractive sector, and challenges related to managing community relations. Participants expressed their strong support for the opportunity to work in a multistakeholder setting and engage in the Working Group.  

Hard copies of useful resources in Spanish were also available, such as “10 Steps to Maintain Security in Compliance with Human Rights” (also known as “VPs 101”) and “Guidance on Respecting the Rights of Human Rights Defenders”.   

The VPI welcomes stakeholders in Chile with relevant expertise in security and human rights to join the working group. If you are interested to participate, or if you have any questions regarding the Chile ICWG or other ICWGs, please contact the VPI Secretariat at Bann.Tabbara@voluntaryprinciples.org. 

About the In-Country Working Groups

The VPI actively creates and financially supports a number of In-Country Working Groups, with a goal of their achieving financial sustainability over time. Working groups meet regularly but also plan and implement agreed-upon activities such as raising awareness and strengthening local capacity, surveying and reporting on local baselines, developing tools and approaches to support local needs. Ultimately, In-Country Working Groups seek to continuously improve their promotion of and respect for human rights in the context of their security practices and will make every effort to prevent conflict.  

Other Working Groups not created by the Voluntary Principles Initiative, called Partner In-Country Working Groups, conduct relevant work to promote best practices in a local context, on a national, sub-national or regional levels. 

Today, there are active VPI and Partner In-Country Working Groups in Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, and now in Chile. More information on the ICWGs is available on our Implementation page. 

About the Voluntary Principles  

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are an internationally recognized set of principles that guide companies on how to conduct their security operations while ensuring respect for human rights. To promote implementation of the Principles, the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) was created. The Initiative comprises over 75 Members and Observers including companies, governments, and non-governmental organizations that share best practices and mutually support the implementation of the Principles.