Original article: “Lo que quieren es impunidad”: oposición rechaza indulto a uniformados condenados por violaciones a DD.HH. en la revuelta social

Opposition Rejects Amnesty for Police and Military Convicted of Human Rights Violations During Social Unrest

The general amnesty proposal put forward by the Libertarian National Party and supported by Republicans has sparked strong opposition from the opposition parties, who label the initiative an attempt to ensure impunity for those who have been convicted of serious human rights violations during the social outbreak of 2019.

The legislative proposal, which aims to benefit police and military personnel sentenced for crimes committed during the social unrest, was introduced amidst evaluations by the Ministry of Justice regarding potential individual pardons promised by President José Antonio Kast.

Johannes Kaiser, president of the Libertarian National Party, asserted that the initiative «relieves pressure» from the far-right president, recalling that while «the President of the Republic is committed to individually addressing pardons for police and uniformed personnel during the events of October 18,» until now «no action has been taken.» Kast would not be forced to make a decision, which could instead fall to either the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies.

The PNL leader emphasized that the project aims to send «an institutional signal» to convicted personnel, expressing that «the Chilean institutions are telling you, ‘to you, the patriotic carabinero, the patriotic soldier, we are going to let you go home and close this chapter for you.'»

However, Kaiser’s remarks were met with immediate rejection from various opposition sectors, who deemed the proposal an affront to human rights advancements in the country. Lorena Fries, a congresswoman from the Broad Front and former Undersecretary of Human Rights, was unequivocal in stating that «the amnesty is unacceptable» in cases of human rights violations, asserting that no measures should extinguish penalties or legal responsibilities in such cases.

«What They Desire is Impunity»

Communist Party congresswoman and former president of the Group of Families of the Disappeared, Lorena Pizarro, was even more forceful in her statements, asserting that the project’s proponents «seek impunity«.

Pizarro argued that there is a belief among certain sectors that «the violation of human rights is necessary», prompting the push for widespread pardons. The parliamentarian was adamant in labeling the convicted individuals as «criminals guilty of human rights violations» during the social unrest, rejecting any attempts to equate their actions with legitimate functions.

In the Senate, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Fabiola Campillai, added a critical element to the debate by stating that the proposal «contravenes international treaties and agreements» that Chile has signed concerning human rights. The senator, who was severely injured by a tear gas canister fired by a Carabineros officer while heading to work—resulting in her blindness, loss of smell, and taste—expressed concern about what she perceives as a fundamental disregard for Chile’s international obligations among some lawmakers.

«Among our peers, there will not be votes for this project», she asserted in comments reported by Diario U. de Chile.

Warnings from International Organizations

Amnesty International Chile also voiced its opinion on the proposal, labeling it as «serious.» Its Executive Director, Rodrigo Bustos, reminded that the personnel under conviction or investigation are not being penalized for doing their duty, but rather for «committing serious human rights violations» that involved extensive investigations and judicial convictions. Bustos emphasized that «police officers and state agents are not exempt from obeying the law», especially regarding the use of force.

The organization launched the campaign «Chile: No to the amnesty for convicted ex-carabineros and ex-military», aiming to gather signatures to urge Kast to discard pardons for convicted personnel.

In a letter addressed to the president, it warned that «impunity continues» more than six years after the social outbreak, noting that few cases go to trial and even fewer lead to guilty verdicts. The organization cautioned that granting amnesty to the small number of agents who have been held accountable «would further entrench impunity» and undermine efforts to reform Carabineros to enhance legality and accountability.