Chilean Justice Minister proposes INDH reform, citing leftist bias

Chile's Justice Minister Fernando Rabat has ignited a firestorm with his proposal to reform the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH). Rabat announced an initial draft bill to overhaul the institution, asserting that the INDH currently holds a distinct leftist leaning that requires rectification.

His comments, made on the TVN program "Estado Nacional," immediately drew sharp criticism from the INDH, which accused the minister of exhibiting an "ideological bias."

When questioned about these accusations on Monday, Rabat defended his stance. "If by ideological bias we mean that we are going to break the current division within the National Institute of Human Rights, which understands human rights solely as serious attacks by state agents against citizens, then yes, there is an ideological bias (in the government)," he stated.

"What we want is for respect for human rights to be understood, once and for all, as..." Rabat began, before the provided text cuts off, indicating a broader scope for human rights protection is envisioned by the ministry.