good governance practices for the protection of human rights

ness of the human rights violations under the dictatorship. A number of events
contributed to this progress, including the increase in the number of court cases
relating to human rights, the search for disappeared detainees and the discovery
of remains, the organization and mobilization of persons who were detained,
tortured or exiled, and the promulgation of legislation concerning officials who
had been removed from office.
In addition to offering medical care, PRAIS has provided a forum for people to
gather and to acknowledge their common condition as victims of State repression.
It has helped beneficiaries to acknowledge their suffering and enabled them
to face the demands of their present lives.
Impact on human rights and challenges
PRAIS enabled Chile’s medical system to implement the right of victims of repression
to redress, by injecting medical expertise relevant to the needs of victims in
the health-care system and funds allowing for free access to health care for many
impoverished and underprivileged victims.
The Programme’s impact has been manifold. First, it has delivered valuable mental
as well as physical health services to thousands of victims. Second, it has
helped its beneficiaries to create a collective memory and made possible the
recovery of a part of history. Third, by specifically addressing the needs of victims
of State repression and violence, it has contributed to the recognition of the victims’
status. This was extremely significant given that this recognition was delayed
owing to the lengthy national debate on the repression and violence under the
previous regime which occurred in the context of the transition to democracy.
Fourth, PRAIS and the Ministry of Health have accumulated extensive expertise
and developed technical standards regarding the care of persons affected by political
repression, which may be referred to by future providers.
Owing to poor funding, the Programme’s key challenge is sustainability. As a
result of the large increase in the number of beneficiaries, the health-care sector
has come under strain. Furthermore, the Programme faces the continuous challenge
of providing specialized assistance tailored to the needs of different victims
in a national health-care system that suffers several shortcomings.
Finally, and importantly, PRAIS was challenged for several years by the lack of
official and public recognition of the victims by the State. This was finally addressed
by the publication of the report of the National Commission on Political
Imprisonment and Torture in 2004.
D. A bill of rights to strengthen human rights in legislation
and policy – Australia
Issue
Several Australian federal, territory and State governments have, over the years,
debated the question of a bill of rights. Supporters of such a bill pointed out the
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