"We have had a terrible time," said Sergio Micco, director of the Council of the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH), at the Punta de Tralca Conference held at the end of January.
In this interview, René Cabezón sscc makes an effort to synthesize the social unrest that has occurred in Chile since October 18, 2019.
Could you explain to us what the situation is in Chile at the moment?
We are in the process of renewing our Constitution (in force since 1980]). This will take a period of two years and will involve a “plebiscite” that will be held in April to vote on replacing the constitution and choosing an alternative. Meanwhile, a consultation is taking place to decide on the members that would compose a "constituent assembly" called Constitutional Convention, to avoid the possibility of traumatic associations of many Latin American populist associations. There is great expectation and hope invested in this political and social process.
This "social awakening" was due to an "unexpected" demand of the people, although many analyses "did not see it coming". There were reports, such as those of the United Nations Development Programme in Chile (UNDP) - delivered every two years - that detected a growing disenchantment. So in, 2010: Gender: The Challenges of Equality; 2012: Subjective Well-being: The Challenge of Rethinking Development; 2015: The Times of Politicization; 2017: Unequal. Origins, changes and challenges of the social gap in Chile.
What began as a student protest on 18 October last year has transformed into the mobilization of millions of people in the streets all over Chile. This is something "incredible" and in some sense "wonderful.
A decade closes with many bright spots in the social, political and economic spheres. But the most relevant thing is that we are undergoing a strong cultural change.
There are many older people who lived through the dictatorship. There is a fear of losing democracy but, at the same time, in the great majority of people there is a desire to make democracy better, to make it more representative and participatory. The hope is that this movement will help generate a society with greater levels of justice and equity.
Today, a group connected to the privileges that come with the economic and financial development system is recreating old fears, and others have been triggered by the discontent that at times has resulted in a lot of youth violence. The government, for its part, is promoting the social unrest as a campaign of "terror" and criminal activity.
Is it possible to build a social pact that will lead to a future with more justice, peace and dignity?
Several social groups speak of a social pact in this process. It is hoped that not only professional politicians, but also businessmen, the younger classes, churches, academics, and social movements will enter into this deal.
This deal will be possible only if there is generosity from both sides, but this responsibility falls heavily on those who have more benefits and privileges. And so it remains to be seen.
The bishops are asking for a national dialogue, without exclusions, involving the different bodies. How is this request coming along?
Today people distrust the elites and the Catholic bishops are seen as forming part of the elite. In spite of this, several social and cultural bodies have also made this call. I believe that some progress is being been made, but bad practices and mistrust are being "punished".
The big problem is the lack of moral authority and legitimacy in today's public leadership. This is one of the factors that aggravates our crisis. Leaders are seen as part of the problem. In this context, the success of these demands is not very promising.
Given the situation of the country, what response are we giving as brothers of the Sacred Hearts?
Our response is very discreet and humble, since we are a very small player in the face of the magnitude of the crisis that is being experienced in this social explosion. And we must not forget that being part of the Church, we are seen as accomplices of the abuses and so any contribution we make must be done humbly. We are not innocent in this social unrest.
If we look more closely at our contributions or responses to this crisis, that has been going on for more than three months and for which there is no clear end in sight, it could be through the formation we have given to thousands of professionals and lay people who are contributing today in their role in helping to overcome this crisis. For example: the national director of the Institute of Human Rights of Chile, and several ministers of the current Emergency Cabinet are former students of our pastoral works.