Chilean civil society organisations demand a social and democratic state in the new constitution

More than 50 civil society organisations from Chile, including GIESCR, signed a declaration addressed to the Expert Commission to consider the realisation of a social and democratic state based on the rule of law as a fundamental principle of the proposed new Constitution, given its importance for the political and social future of the country. 

Civil society organisations argued that these changes must be accompanied by an effective guarantee of participation and transparency that allows citizens to be actively involved in the government regime that will develop these rights into public policies.

In this declaration, they pointed out that this will be a fundamental debate to be defined within the new stage of the constituent process, highlighting some fundamental aspects to be taken into consideration on this issue. In the first place, they valued the consensus on "moving from a subsidiary state towards a social and democratic state based on the rule of law, a fundamental concept for guaranteeing the effective enforcement of human rights in our country".

As a second point, they considered it "fundamental to give content to this conception of the state. This implies clearly establishing the obligation and proactive role of the state in respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights, be they political, civil, economic, social, environmental or cultural, and always in accordance with the standards of international law”. 

They also stressed the need to recognise "the universal nature of these rights, as inherent to human dignity and emphasising the duty to protect those groups whose rights have been historically violated". One of the aspects highlighted by the organisations is that the social state contemplates a system of progressive tax collection that allows the state to have the necessary resources to guarantee social rights. "And that those who have the most should contribute the most to its financing”.

Finally, they pointed out that it is essential to accompany these changes with an effective guarantee of participation and transparency that allows citizens to be actively involved in the government regime that will develop these rights into public policies.