Chile: Update to Response to Information Request CHL16374.E of 22 February 1994, on the extent to which the Central Naciónal de Informaciónes (CNI) personnel have been transferred to other units of the security forces
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CHL26362.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Chile: Update to Response to Information Request CHL16374.E of 22 February 1994, on the extent to which the Central Naciónal de Informaciónes (CNI) personnel have been transferred to other units of the security forces, 1 February 1997, CHL26362.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abc953.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Several 1995 sources report that a commando called the Catalan Brigade, which is composed of former members of the Central Naciónal de Informaciónes (CNI) and its predecessor organization, the National Intelligence Directorate (DINA), intercepted a television broadcast as a warning to the government that army authority will not be threatened (IPS 19 May 1995; CHIP News 19 May 1995; Television Nacional de Chile 19 May 1995). Please consult the attached document for additional information.
The following information was obtained in an 18 February 1997 telephone interview with a political studies professor at the University of Guelph who specializes in Chilean politics and military relations.
The source stated that after the CNI was dissolved in 1990, most CNI members were transferred back to regimental duties and reintegrated into the army's intelligence agency, the Dirección de Inteligencia del Ejercito (DINE). The source stated that in 1991 the government created a civilian Directorate of Intelligence (Dirección de Inteligencia) to combat terrorism, and recruited some 200 former CNI members into the new force. According to the professor, despite the government's position that it recruited only former CNI personnel with no record of human rights violations, the recruitment of these former CNI members sparked a popular protest. Additional/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.3 March 1997
References
Inter Press Service (IPS). 19 May 1995. "Chile: Letelier Case Heats Up as Verdict Approaches." (NEXIS)
CHIP News Web Site.
Professor, Department of Political Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario. 18 February 1997. Telephone interview.
Television Nacional de Chile [Santiago, in Spanish]. 19 May 1995. "Catalan Brigade Intercepts TV Signal." (FBIS-LAT-95-098 19 May 1995)
Attachment
Inter Press Service (IPS). 19 May 1995. "Chile: Letelier Case Heats Up as Verdict Approaches." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Andean Newsletter [Lima]. 1995-1997.
CJ The Americas: A Criminal Justice Newsletter [Chicago, IL]. 1995-1996.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices [Washington, DC.]. 1994-1997.
Jane's Intelligence Review [Coulsdon, Surrey, UK]. 1996.
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1994-1997.
Latin America Weekly Report [London]. 1996.
Pointer [Coulsdon, Surrey, UK].1996.
Police Studies: International Relations of Police Development [Bradford, West Yorkshire, England]. 1996.
