Legislative proposals address sexual abuse crimes against minors in Chile and Argentina

In Chile, a constitutional accusation has been announced against the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. The move follows decrees that reduced sentences for individuals convicted of sexual offenses against children and adolescents. This legal debate centers on the tension between the principle of non-retroactivity of unfavorable criminal law and the obligation of state organs to respect international human rights treaties ratified by Chile, which serve as a constitutional mandate.

In Argentina, Senator Patricia Bullrich has introduced a legislative project to declare sexual abuse crimes against minors imprescriptible. The proposal seeks to amend the Penal Code to ensure that sexual abuse, corruption of minors, child prostitution, sexual exploitation, child pornography, online sexual harassment, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation never expire, regardless of how much time has passed. Additionally, the project proposes increasing general statute of limitations periods for crimes carrying life imprisonment from 15 to 20 years.