In the most recent urgent action letter, the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union wrote to President José Antonio Kast Rist urging him to refrain from pardoning former Carabineros and military officials convicted of crimes committed during Chile’s 2019 protests and to ensure accountability for all serious human rights violations under international law.
“As students, we rely on our ability to speak out about the issues that impact our lives,” said Karthika Sunil, Women’s Representative. “Writing this letter is about standing with student movements like the one in Chile and making sure their calls for justice continue to be heard.”
In October 2019, what began as a student-led protest against a public transportation fare increase quickly grew into a nationwide movement demanding greater social and economic equality. Students were among the first to mobilize, organizing mass fare evasion campaigns that sparked broader public demonstrations across the country. The response from state authorities was severe, with security forces deploying excessive force against protesters. Thousands of people were injured, including individuals who suffered serious eye injuries, and widespread reports emerged of arbitrary detentions and mistreatment in custody.
Years later, accountability for these violations remains limited. Of the more than 12,000 reported cases of alleged human rights violations by state agents, only a small percentage have resulted in convictions, leaving many victims without justice or reparations. Recent statements suggesting that those few convicted officials may be granted presidential pardons risk undermining the progress that has been made. Pardoning individuals responsible for serious human rights violations would weaken trust in the justice system and contradict the responsibility of the state to ensure accountability and prevent future abuses.
“This movement started with students who were asking for fairness and dignity, and that’s something we connect with directly,” said Karthika Sunil. “If those responsible for harming them are pardoned, it sends a message that student voices—and the harms they experienced—don’t matter.”
We urged Chile to uphold their obligations to justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights.
We await a response from President José Antonio Kast Rist on this urgent matter.
For more Information
The Amnesty Urgent Actions Program allows the Union to take action regarding international human rights injustices that matter to students. Click this link to see injustices we have addressed previously, and for further information about this issue or to see a copy of the letter, contact the Equity Coordinator below.