[Blog/Commentary] [USA] Chile Passes Hate-Crime Law In Wake Of Gay Man’s Brutal Murder
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Stephanie Stevens
May 11, 2012, 11:30:54 AM5/11/12
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Queerty, USA
A NEW DAY
Chile Passes Hate-Crime Law In Wake Of Gay Man’s Brutal Murder
In Santiago, the Chilean government overwhelmingly passed a landmark
hate-crimes law 25-to-3 last night, just months after neo-Nazis
brutally murdered a young gay man in a city park.
The law, which had stalled for seven years, adds heightened
punishments for hate crimes and allows citizens to file discrimination
lawsuits.
In March, gay 24-year-old Daniel Zamudio slipped into a coma and died
<http://www.queerty.com/suspects-arrested-after-carving-swastikas-in-cutting-ear-off-gay-man-in-chile-20120315/>
after being hit with bottles and rocks before having his ear sliced
off, his body burnt with cigarettes and swastikas carved in his chest.
His attackers, part of a vile collective called “nazis del Centro”
(“the Downtown Nazis”), are awaiting trial for murder.
President Sebastian Pinera moved the hate-crimes law off the back
burner after Zamudio’s death. According to the AP
<http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2012/05/09/chile_approves_hate_crime_law_after_gay_bashing/>
, politicians also are preparing to debate the Pinera’s proposed
civil-union law.
“It’s an enormous culture change for our country,” said Sen.
Alberto Espina, with the center-right ruling coalition.
“Chile is a country that discriminates against Mapuche (Indians),
homosexuals, that discriminates against people for their nationality
and for having disabilities,” he added. “We have to assume this as a
reality instead of hiding it under the rug.”
Gay activist Rolando Jimenez said the passage of the law marked “the
beginning of the end”of rampant discrimination against sexual and
ethnic minorities and the disabled. “Starting today, Chile is a
better place to live,” he said.
Zamudio’s death is a tragic loss, but at least it appears it will not
have been in vain.
By: Dan Avery
On: May 10, 2012
Copyright 2012 Queerty, Inc.
http://www.queerty.com/chile-passes-hate-crime-law-after-in-wake-of-gay-mans-brutal-murder-20120510/
A NEW DAY
Chile Passes Hate-Crime Law In Wake Of Gay Man’s Brutal Murder
In Santiago, the Chilean government overwhelmingly passed a landmark
hate-crimes law 25-to-3 last night, just months after neo-Nazis
brutally murdered a young gay man in a city park.
The law, which had stalled for seven years, adds heightened
punishments for hate crimes and allows citizens to file discrimination
lawsuits.
In March, gay 24-year-old Daniel Zamudio slipped into a coma and died
<http://www.queerty.com/suspects-arrested-after-carving-swastikas-in-cutting-ear-off-gay-man-in-chile-20120315/>
after being hit with bottles and rocks before having his ear sliced
off, his body burnt with cigarettes and swastikas carved in his chest.
His attackers, part of a vile collective called “nazis del Centro”
(“the Downtown Nazis”), are awaiting trial for murder.
President Sebastian Pinera moved the hate-crimes law off the back
burner after Zamudio’s death. According to the AP
<http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2012/05/09/chile_approves_hate_crime_law_after_gay_bashing/>
, politicians also are preparing to debate the Pinera’s proposed
civil-union law.
“It’s an enormous culture change for our country,” said Sen.
Alberto Espina, with the center-right ruling coalition.
“Chile is a country that discriminates against Mapuche (Indians),
homosexuals, that discriminates against people for their nationality
and for having disabilities,” he added. “We have to assume this as a
reality instead of hiding it under the rug.”
Gay activist Rolando Jimenez said the passage of the law marked “the
beginning of the end”of rampant discrimination against sexual and
ethnic minorities and the disabled. “Starting today, Chile is a
better place to live,” he said.
Zamudio’s death is a tragic loss, but at least it appears it will not
have been in vain.
By: Dan Avery
On: May 10, 2012
Copyright 2012 Queerty, Inc.
http://www.queerty.com/chile-passes-hate-crime-law-after-in-wake-of-gay-mans-brutal-murder-20120510/
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