Chile Deputy Lorena Pizarro Pushes Bill to Criminalize Pedophilia Apology

Deputy Lorena Pizarro (Communist Party) announced a legislative proposal to make the incitement, promotion or apology of sexual abuse against children, adolescents or persons with disabilities a criminal offense in Chile. The draft would increase penalties when the act is carried out through media, social networks, streaming platforms or by a holder of public office or party leadership.

The initiative was prompted by controversial statements from former National Libertarian Party legislative adviser Ítalo Omegna and other libertarian militants, who allegedly made comments “promoting pedophilia and mocking autistic children” on the streaming program “La Cofradía”. Pizarro said the measure should be approved “transversally” in Congress, adding, “If not, we will see who truly stands with children and who only says ‘children first’ as a propaganda slogan.”