Chile approves hate-crime law after gay bashing

SANTIAGO, Chile – Chile’s Congress has passed a hate-crimes law months after a group of alleged neo-Nazis were arrested in the brutal murder of a young gay man.

The law enables people to file anti-discrimination lawsuits and adds hate-crime sentences for violent crimes.

Gay activists waved Chilean flags when it passed by a vote of 25-to-3.

The law was stuck in Congress for seven years, but President Sebastian Pinera put it on the fast track after the death of Daniel Zamudio in March prompted people all across Chile to discuss hate-crimes. Sen. Alberto Espina, with the center-right ruling coalition, called it “an enormous culture change for our country.”