Original article: “Síntoma de intolerancia”: senadora Campillai cuestiona reforma al INDH impulsada por Kast

Senator Campillai Calls INDH Reform Proposed by Kast a «Symptom of Intolerance»

Independent Senator Fabiola Campillai described the reform of the National Human Rights Institute (INDH) proposed by José Antonio Kast’s government as a «symptom of intolerance.»

During the election campaign, the far-right politician launched attacks against the agency, even claiming that «it does not defend human rights» and asserting that «we should close it.» He also promised to advance presidential pardons, particularly for police officers currently incarcerated.

However, four months after Kast took office, La Moneda has now announced that this is a reform rather than a complete shutdown, although the intent to significantly alter the institute’s operations remains.

This information was provided by the Undersecretary for Human Rights, Pablo Mira, who stated that the Executive is drafting a bill proposal, though he did not specify timelines for its submission, according to Bio Bío Chile.

The announcement comes amidst intense pressure from the ruling party, particularly from the UDI, whose deputies have demanded that the reform be introduced before July 20, the 16th anniversary of the INDH’s creation.

Simultaneously, progress has been made in Congress on two motions presented by deputies from RN, Evópoli, UDI, and the Republicans, highlighting the right’s interest in implementing changes to the institution responsible for safeguarding fundamental rights in the country.

Campillai Warns That INDH Reform is a Symptom of Government and Right-Wing Intolerance

In response to this, Senator Fabiola Campillai, who has emerged as one of the strongest critics of this government initiative, characterized the proposal as a clear indication of the right-wing’s historical insensitivity to human rights.

«This idea of reforming it is nothing more than a symptom of the intolerance and the inadequate understanding that the Chilean right has had in its relationship with human rights,» expressed Campillai, who chairs the Senate Human Rights Committee.

The senator, who suffered the impact of a tear gas canister fired by police during the social upheaval in 2019, leading to her blindness and loss of taste and smell, further questioned the prioritization of this reform over other legislative initiatives she considers more urgent, stating that «we have several priority projects in the committee» and that everything should be evaluated «in its proper context and urgency.»

Campillai’s defense of the INDH is based on the agency’s track record over its 16 years of existence. In statements reported by Cooperativa, the parliamentarian asserted that the agency «has acted completely in accordance with its powers in an impartial and professional manner during these past years,» thus dismissing the ruling party’s critiques of the institute’s work.

The reform of the INDH emerges as a sensitive topic that pits the ruling party against the opposition and could shape the direction of human rights policy during Kast’s administration, in a context where the scars of social unrest have yet to heal.