Less than a week before assuming the position of Executive Secretary of the Truth and Childhood Commission, psychologist Pedro Natho resigned from the post.
The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights announced the news without providing further details in a statement that also informs that lawyer Felipe Téllez Guzmán will serve as the interim Executive Secretary: "His appointment comes after Pedro Natho's resignation from the position," the statement reads briefly.
Natho had been appointed by the government of José Antonio Kast in an attempt to reorganize the commission following the collective resignation of some of its members and amidst a controversy that opened a new front for the Ministry of Justice.
Four members of the commission announced their collective resignation at the beginning of May, alleging that the minimum conditions to continue the work entrusted by the State do not exist.
In a public statement, they indicated that the decision was made "with deep regret and a sense of responsibility," after weeks of dialogue with the authorities, during which, they claim, they presented proposals, technical information, and warnings about the risks facing the commission.
According to them, the decisions adopted by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights "have weakened the functioning of the commission." Among these, they mentioned the dismantling of the professional team, changes in the territorial model, and the deterioration of the conditions for…
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Less than a week after assuming the position of Executive Secretary of the Truth and Childhood Commission, psychologist Pedro Natho resigned from the post. The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights announced the news in a statement, which also announced that lawyer Felipe Téllez Guzmán will serve as interim Executive Secretary: "His appointment comes after Pedro Natho's resignation from the position," the statement reads. Natho had been appointed by the government of José Antonio Kast in an attempt to reorganize the commission after the collective resignation of some of its members, amid a controversy that opened a new front for the Ministry of Justice. Pedro Natho, along with the Undersecretaries of Justice, Luis Silva, and of Human Rights, Pablo Mira. Four members of the commission announced their collective resignation in early May, alleging that the minimum conditions to continue the work entrusted by the State do not exist. In a public statement, they stated that the decision was made "with deep regret and a sense of responsibility," after weeks of dialogue with authorities, where they claim to have presented proposals, technical data, and warnings about the risks facing the commission. According to them, the decisions adopted by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights "have weakened the functioning of the commission." Among these, they mentioned the dismantling of the professional team, changes in the territorial model, and the deterioration of conditions for taking testimonies. "The decisions adopted (…) make it impossible to continue in a manner consistent with that mandate," they stated. The statement was signed by Soledad Larraín, along with commissioners Matías Marchant, M. Estela Ortiz, and Judith Schönsteiner. The Truth and Childhood Commission, created during the administration of Gabriel Boric, aims to clarify human rights violations suffered by children and adolescents under the custody of the State between 1979 and 2024, in a process that seeks recognition and reparation for the victims. Lawyer Téllez takes over at the Truth and Childhood Commission. The Ministry of Justice statement indicates that "Téllez has a distinguished career in the protection and promotion of the rights of children and adolescents." He has held various positions at the Child Defender's Office and is currently in charge of the Recognition Area of the Commission. "As communicated in the meeting held today with the working team, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights remains fully committed to continuing and strengthening the work of the Commission. In this context, the 26 hearings scheduled for the month of May will continue, along with deepening the intersectoral and interinstitutional coordination necessary for its proper development," the statement adds. Felipe Téllez.