September, the Court of Appeal overruled the decision by the High Court of Moundou, sentencing Sylver Beindé Bassandé to complicity in defamation and fined him XAF100,000 (USD180). He appealed to the Supreme Court. REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE More than 408,000 refugees from the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Sudan continued to live in poor conditions in refugee camps. Insecurity caused by Boko Haram attacks and military operations resulted in the displacement of more than 174,000 people including at least 25,000 in 2017 alone. In June, nearly 5,000 people fled a wave of Boko Haram attacks on villages around Kaiga Kindjiria and Tchoukoutalia, creating two new sites for internally displaced people: Kengua (Kiskra canton, Fouli department) and Kane Ngouboua (Diameron). Since July, around 6,700 people arrived in Baga Sola from Niger after the withdrawal of Chadian troops from the country and in fear of attacks from Boko Haram. RIGHT TO FOOD The Chadian military continued to impose restrictions on the movement of people and goods along the shores of Lake Chad, hampering the livelihoods of communities and heightening the risk of food insecurity. According to the UN, severe acute malnutrition increased from 2.1% to 3.4% in the region during the year. Countrywide, the UN estimated that 2.8 million people were food insecure, including more than 380,000 people at crisis or emergency level. CHILE Republic of Chile Head of state and government: Michelle Bachelet Jeria Impunity for past and present human rights violations remained a concern. Police continued to use excessive force, especially Amnesty International Report 2017/18 against Mapuche Indigenous Peoples. The Anti-Terrorism Law was used against Mapuche people, despite violating international standards on due process guarantees. A law decriminalizing abortion in three specific circumstances entered into force; abortion continued to be otherwise criminalized. BACKGROUND Presidential and congressional elections were held between November and December, and Sebastián Piñera Echenique was elected President. The President-elect and new members of Congress were due to begin their mandates in March 2018. REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS Congress considered a bill proposed by the executive for a new immigration law. The first 14 Syrian families (66 people) arrived in October under a resettlement programme announced in 2014. POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES There were continuing reports of excessive use of force by the police. In June, police used tear gas in close proximity to a school in the Temucuicui Mapuche community where young children were attending class. The action was deemed “proportionate” by the Supreme Court. In November, a judge in Collipulli, Malleco Province, opened an investigation against a police officer for shooting 17-year-old Brandon Hernández in December 2016; he received more than 100 pellet wounds in his back. The hearing was rescheduled three times because the accused police officer did not appear in court. The Supreme Court reopened the case of Alex Lemún, who was shot and killed by a police officer in Ercilla, Malleco Province in 2002. A military court had closed the case in 2004 without finding anyone responsible. IMPUNITY Victims of human rights violations during Chile’s military regime continued to demand truth, justice and reparation. Although courts 123