New Year, Same Revolution: Chile’s Continued Protests against Neoliberal Austerity
A woman waving a Chilean flag during a protest against Chile's government in Santiago, Chile. (Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters)
Written by: Aidan Jonah
Thousands of Chileans kicked off the new year by protesting police repression at the Plaza Dignidad in Santiago, Chile.
Despite agreeing to hold a constitutional referendum in April 2020, President Sebastian Pinera’s government continues to be rocked by protests. The protests continue due to the government’s refusal to accept protesters key demands: the resignation of Pinera and his cabinet, an independent inquiry into police violence and an overhaul of the pension, health and education systems.
In response, Pinera’s government has enabled police to utilize brutal and repressive measures against protesters.
On Dec. 28, preventive detention was issued for six military police officers accused of torturing and sexually abusing a young man during the curfew that President Sebastian Piñera ordered during the first days of the social outbreak in Chile. The six defendants constitute "a serious danger to society”, according to the court order publicly distributed by the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH).
Denunciations of the Chilean military police and their constant involvement in serious cases of human rights violations have come from The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other international organizations throughout the protests.
So far, the INDH has filed 943 complaints against security agents, of which 5 are for homicide, 750 for torture and 134 for sexual violence.
Yet, Pinera’s government continues to deny having a systemic policy of repression against protesters, despite the death of 24 in episodes of police brutality. He has only been willing to acknowledge the existence of “some specific abuses.”
According to TeleSur English, the first crackdown of 2020, was ordered today by right-wing President Sebastián Piñera. It was launched against protesters who held a massive dinner at Plaza Italia, renamed 'Dignity', under the slogan "New Year With Dignity."
The peaceful demonstrations were in memory of Mauricio Fredes, who died last Friday one block from Plaza Dignidad after falling into a water pit while attempting to escape police violence.