Community

Chile: Augusto Pinochet’s grandson to form ‘patriotic’ and anti-gay party

Oct 30 2014
Written by Aaron Day

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The grandson of the late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet has formed a political party with a “patriotic” and anti-gay agenda.

Augusto Pinochet Molina aims to turn an existing group of Pinochet loyalists known as For My Country into the centre-right “patriotic” party.

According to the Guardian, Orden Republicano Mi Patria (“Republican Order My Country”) opposes same-sex marriage, educational reform, and abortion, but hopes to legalise marijuana.

For My Country general secretary Paolo Zarate said in an interview: “Augusto wanted to invite him because it is known that Labbé is a grand admirer of his grandfather, so for that very reason it would be an honour.”

Chilean senator Alejandro Navarro told CNN: “It is a party destined to be minority and most of all fascist.”

More than 2,000 Chileans were murdered and over 30,000 tortured under General Augusto Pinochet’s regime.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once denounced the Chilean dictator’s arrest in London as “unjust and callous.” She also praised him for “bringing democracy to Chile.”

A bill allowing for same-sex civil unions is currently progressing through the Chilean Senate, and recently re-elected President Michelle Bachelet has said that marriage equality is a priority issue.

Last year, the issue of marriage equality in Chile became majorly divisive during the first televised debate between two potential presidential nominees.

On 12 July 2013 the Chilean President signed anti-discrimination legislation into law. The move came after the Neo-Nazi killing of a gay man, Daniel Zamudio, in March.

Mr Zamudio’s killing shocked Chile and sparked a national debate on hate crime. He suffered severe head injuries and his body was found in a city park with cigarette burns and swastikas carved in his skin.

Back in March, a gay judge won a custody case against the Chilean courts which had taken away her three daughters in 2004 believing her sexuality to put their development ‘at risk’.