Communist Party of Chile leads opposition against new constitutional reform

A group of opposition members of parliament, led by Deputy Luis Cuello who represents the Communist Party of Chile, filed a request with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). 

The request asks the international body to rule on the constitutional security reform promoted by the Government of President José Antonio Kast, warning that the initiative puts fundamental rights at risk, alters essential principles of the democratic system and grants extraordinary powers to the President to restrict fundamental guarantees.

Among the main concerns, the parliamentarians warn that the proposal creates a new state of constitutional exception that allows the President to restrict fundamental rights and intercept communications, as well as empower him to declare groups as terrorist organizations or organized crime groups. According to the signatories, these powers affect due process, the right to defence, and the separation of powers, jeopardizing essential principles of the democratic system.

The promoter of the action, deputy Luis Cuello (PC), pointed out that “it is a reform that contains serious elements from the point of view of the protection of human rights and also a reform that substantially alters the democratic regime, insofar as it grants extraordinary powers and faculties to the President of the Republic to restrict fundamental guarantees.”

“This reform is not only contrary to the Constitution, but it also violates international human rights treaties signed by Chile, and in particular, the American Convention on Human Rights. That is why we are going to send a communication, a request, to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights so that it issues a statement, to alert them that in Chile a reform is being debated and presented that, ultimately, seeks to establish a de facto regime.”

“I think it’s time to stop speaking in euphemisms. This reform enables a constitutional dictatorship, and therefore, I believe we must speak clearly to the people, clearly to Latin America,” Cuello added.

The petition was signed by Representatives Luis Cuello (Communist Party), Lorena Pizarro (Communist Party), Nelson Venegas (Socialist Party), Patricio Pinilla (Christian Democrat), Daniela Serrano (Communist Party), Juan Santana (Socialist Party), Bernardo Salinas (Communist Party), Carlos Cuadrado (Party for Democracy), Nathalie Castillo (Communist Party), and Jaime Bassa (Broad Front). In the document, they request that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) analyse the reform and issue a statement due to its impact on human rights and democratic institutions.