Justice Minister Fernando Rabat Defends His Actions in Morocco
In a recent press conference, Morocco's Justice Minister, Fernando Rabat, firmly rejected calls for his resignation as he navigates a storm of controversy surrounding decrees that reduced sentences for 56 individuals convicted of sexual crimes against minors. The situation has escalated, with opposition parties announcing plans for a constitutional accusation against him and some members of parliament pursuing criminal charges for potential administrative misconduct. Rabat, standing resolutely by his decisions, asserted that he acted within the bounds of the Constitution and the law, emphasizing, “I want to insist that I heard no valid arguments against my actions. This is merely a political point being made.” He further stated, “As far as I am concerned, my conscience is clear, and I am grateful to the President of the Republic for the trust he has placed in me.”
In an additional development, Rabat has instructed the preparation of a criminal complaint against Jaime Bassa, a deputy from the Frente Amplio party, for comments linking the sentence reductions to an alleged international pedophilia network. Rabat condemned these accusations as "regrettable," claiming they tarnish his honor and integrity. Meanwhile, President José Antonio Kast addressed the controversy during the opening of the 2026 Regional Congress in Concepción, urging that the discussion should focus on the overall functioning of the judicial system rather than targeting individual personalities. He remarked, "The debate surrounding the judicial system is not about a single person; it is about the entire judicial framework," and highlighted the opportunity this situation presents for significant institutional changes.
Legal Actions and Opposition Response
As the government works to secure support for Minister Rabat amidst this crisis, UDI Vice President María José Hoffmann acknowledged President Kast's direct involvement, stating he personally reached out to parliamentary members following a special session to express gratitude for supportive speeches and to highlight those that were critical. Hoffmann expressed confidence that the UDI party would unite in their vote should Rabat effectively defend himself and address the underlying issues at hand. She admitted that "there was a political error" but argued that Rabat's resignation would not resolve the core problems. Additionally, she labeled the constitutional accusation from the opposition as "absolutely false," asserting that there has been no breach of the Constitution and accusing the left of exploiting the situation for political gain and attempting to destabilize the President.
In a further escalation, deputies Juan Santana of the Socialist Party and Luis Cuello of the Communist Party have filed a criminal complaint against Rabat and the Deputy Minister of Justice, Luis Silva, alleging potential administrative misconduct. They have requested the National Prosecutor's Office to appoint a dedicated prosecutor to investigate these claims. Santana stressed that the decisions made could constitute a crime rather than a mere administrative error, stating, "When an administrative act is issued, and a decree is signed knowing it is unjust and contradicts the spirit of the law, this is termed administrative misconduct." Meanwhile, Cuello insisted that the prosecutor's office must investigate the actions of the authorities, asserting, "There is not just an error here; there is a crime that must be investigated by the prosecutor and the Public Ministry."
Following discussions with children’s defender Anuar Quesille, opposition representatives have begun considering legislative measures aimed at enhancing protections for victims. Daniela Serrano, president of the Communist Party's deputy group, criticized the government for retaining Rabat in his position, arguing that the reduced sentences have exposed victims to severe risks without any official apologies being issued. She stated, "We want to make a clear call; those who are willing to resolve the problem generated by this government’s neglect of victims must also serve the interests of the Defender's Office." Serrano also railed against budget cuts affecting children and the lack of clear directives from the Ministry of Social Development to safeguard their rights. In light of these concerns, the opposition is now evaluating a series of legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening victim protection, reiterating that this has been among their primary concerns since the onset of the controversy. Furthermore, Serrano insisted that it is inappropriate for someone who has erred in crisis management to lead in finding a solution, reiterating that victims must remain at the center of decision-making and that the government must take responsibility for the events that have transpired.
As reported by radio.uchile.cl.
