Giving Compass' Take:

· As tension continues to grow between Chilean protestors and the government, Human Rights Watch has made a statement calling out the police for brazenly violating citizens' human rights. 

· How can philanthropists support aid for protestors? What can be done to calm this situation? 

· Here's how we can advance human rights through philanthropy.

Chile must urgently reform its police force following grave human rights violations committed over more than five weeks of protests, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said recently.

A team from the rights group had been investigating allegations of abuses during a social and political crisis engulfing the country sparked by protests over inequality and repression.

The announcement bolsters a damning report from Amnesty International released last week, that found Chilean security forces had intentionally injured protesters in order to incite fear and discourage demonstrations.

"There are hundreds of worrying complaints about excessive use of force in the streets and abuses against detainees, including brutal beatings and sexual abuse, that should be promptly and thoroughly investigated to ensure victims' access to justice," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, director for Americas of HRW.

HRW interviewed more than 70 people in Santiago and Valparaiso in November, including victims injured by pellets fired from shotguns or tear gas canisters at close range and victims of alleged sexual assault and torture in detention.

The team also interviewed police officers who had been injured by demonstrators, representatives of the health service, civil society, and government officials.

HRW said it found "compelling evidence" that police used excessive force to respond to protests whether they were engaged in violent actions or not.

Read the full article about protests in Chile by Naomi Larsson at Al Jazeera Media Network.