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Original article: ¿Indultar a violadores de niños y criminales de lesa humanidad? Amplio repudio a declaraciones del ministro de Justicia

“IT’S A SHAME”: Outrage Against Justice Minister Rabat’s Comments on Potential Pardons for Child Rapists and Human Rights Violators

Minister of Justice, Fernando Rabat, sparked a wave of condemnation after his remarks on CNN Chile, where he did not rule out the possibility of pardoning those convicted of child rape and human rights violations. «It will largely depend on the circumstances surrounding the individual at the time,» stated the Cabinet member, noting that over 40 pardon requests have been received by the administration of José Antonio Kast.

See also / “No to Pardons”: Human Rights Organizations March Against Impunity Push

When specifically asked about the potential pardon for a child rapist, Rabat commented: «By nature, it’s a serious crime, but if the circumstances of the case provide certain evidence that allows one to think otherwise, well, that should be considered properly.»

Despite Kast dismissing pardons during his campaign, the minister insisted that each case will be evaluated «on its own merits,» raising alarms among human rights groups and opposition leaders.

This Saturday, a large march organized by various human rights groups took place from Plaza Dignidad to La Moneda under the slogan “No to Pardons.” The demonstration rejected the “push for impunity” that, according to protesters, the Kast administration is promoting for those convicted of human rights crimes during the dictatorship and for those involved in social unrest. The mobilization brought chaos to downtown Santiago for hours.

Senator Fabiola Campillai, who participated in the march, stated: “Unfortunately, today, Saturday, we would not want to be marching to prevent the government from pardoning human rights violators. Social peace cannot be achieved by granting leniency to those who murdered, tortured, raped, and made compatriots disappear. We are here to ensure that the justice, which was so hard to achieve, is not erased with a simple signature.”

“They Insist on Opening the Door to Impunity for Serious Crimes”

On social media, the Frente Amplio Chile wrote on X: “Justice Minister Fernando Rabat acknowledged on CNN Chile that his government is willing to pardon child rapists. Despite Kast having ruled it out during the campaign, they insist on opening the door to impunity for serious crimes.”

User Oscar Segal responded: “Rape is ALWAYS A SERIOUS CRIME; NOBODY WHO RAPES should be eligible for pardons. As a Republican, I REJECT the mere idea of wanting to free scum, especially those who rape children like MACAYA; it is prohibited to misuse one’s position to defend monsters.”

The account Derecho al Tiempo tweeted: “The purpose of a pardon is reintegration and protection, but granting it to a sexual abuser is a grave mistake by @MinjuDDHH. It means revictimizing survivors in this way. We need a serious debate about the limits of this tool.”

Meanwhile, Francisca Bello C asserted: “IT’S A SHAME that a minister would even leave open the possibility of pardoning child rapists. There are no nuances or excuses here. The State must stand by the victims. Zero tolerance for abusers of minors.”

Finally, user Ciudadano Roberto Kiltro expressed: “ In campaign, they talk about protecting children. On television, they do not rule out pardoning those who violated them. There are contradictions that cannot fit into any nuance. When it comes to sexual abuse against minors, the question should not be what circumstances favor the perpetrator, but how to protect the victims. Childhood should not be a matter of political relativization.”

Reactions on X continue to multiply, as organizations announce they will remain mobilized.

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