Senator Karol Cariola Challenges Women’s Minister to Pursue Femicidio Charges in Camila Ponce Case

Original article: Senadora Karol Cariola emplaza a ministra de la Mujer a querellarse por femicidio en caso de Camila Ponce

Senator Karol Cariola from Valparaíso (PC) has called on Women’s Minister Judith Marín to file femicidio charges in the case of Camila Ponce, which is currently being investigated as simple homicide.

The senator, who authored the Gabriela Law that expanded the definition of femicidio, emphasized that this crime can be classified not only in the context of partners or ex-partners but also when a woman is killed for gender-related reasons, as in the case of the young driver.

During the Senate Women’s Committee session held on Monday, April 6, Cariola expressed, «We attended to request information from the minister regarding the actions the Ministry of Women intended to take regarding the Camila Ponce case.»

The legislator highlighted that the young woman was attacked on March 19 in Valparaíso and died on the 24th of the same month after being in a state of brain death. In this line, Cariola questioned the legal classification of the case: «It was a brutal attack, where Camila was beaten and dragged from a car, yet the accused is being charged with simple homicide rather than femicidio.»

Senator Cariola asserted that there is evidence that could allow the investigation to proceed under the femicidio classification.

«The Gabriela Law broadens the definition to encompass all hate crimes based on gender. Camila was a young lesbian, and the attacker had a history of homophobia that the prosecutor has made available,» the legislator explained.

Government Inconsistencies

The PC parliamentarian also pointed out inconsistencies in the government’s actions regarding this case.

«The family filed a femicidio complaint. The Minister of Security did so as well, but later withdrew it. Strangely, the Ministry of Women, which should have filed the complaint, has yet to do so,» detailed Cariola.

In this context, she urged advancement in this direction and to arrange a meeting with the victim’s family: «I personally asked her to meet with us along with the family, because the complaint for femicidio involves a different approach, even regarding penalties, compared to the simple homicide currently being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office,» affirmed the senator.

Lastly, the legislator reported that inquiries were made to the Carabineros about initial procedures: «Witness statements were not taken from those present when Camila was assaulted in public. The investigation only gained traction after her death, when the PDI arrested the aggressor. There are procedures that seem quite dubious,» indicated Cariola.

We will continue to provide updates.