El Ciudadano
In a joint statement, the Communist Youth and the Student Front of the FA accused the government of creating a «smoke screen» in the case of Minister Ximena Lincolao, directly targeting Security Minister Trinidad Steinert. They also urged respect for the presumption of innocence of the students arrested in connection with these events.
The statement was released following the operation that led to the arrest of three students from the Austral University of Chile for their alleged participation in the protest and attack on Minister of Science, Ximena Lincolao, which took place on April 8 at the university.
The youth organizations of the PC and FA rejected the notion that this case is being used as a distraction to conceal the government’s authoritarian agenda. They pointed out that «coincidentally, this arrest operation occurred on the same day as the parliamentary discussion of the ‘Protected Schools’ project, which aims to criminalize the student movement by restricting social benefits like tuition-free education.»
They publicly condemned Minister Steinert, stating that she is exploiting an isolated incident to create a media spectacle instead of addressing citizens’ concerns.
«We call for the focus to be placed where it belongs: it is disgraceful that these events receive more attention from the government than the fight against organized crime, while the country’s homicide and attempted homicide rates have increased by 36.8% since this administration began,» the statement added.
Additionally, the PC and FA youth criticized Minister Steinert’s comments regarding the arrests, which they felt undermined the students’ right to presumption of innocence, highlighted in her statements.
«Such remarks are unacceptable in a democratic regime and are extremely damaging to the independence of the judiciary. We demand that the investigation proceed free from political pressure and government comments. To make this possible, the presumption of innocence of those involved must be respected,» the statement concluded.
Moreover, both the JJCC and the Student Front of the FA reiterated that the events of April 8 (the protest against Lincolao) were not organized by them, emphasizing that they do not align with their political action strategy.
Meanwhile, after the arrest of three of its students, the Austral University addressed the situation, reiterating its willingness «to collaborate with the authorities in clarifying the facts, within the scope of its competencies and strict adherence to applicable legal regulations.»
They also announced that the university is conducting an internal procedure, «which has progressed in accordance with its regulations.»
«This procedure will progress autonomously from the criminal process but under the same principles of legality, impartiality, and due process,» added the higher education institution.
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