B’nai B’rith International welcomes the long-awaited passage of a Chilean anti-discrimination law.

On Friday, July 13, the Chilean Congress passed the anti-discrimination law that B’nai B’rith, the local Jewish community, as well as other groups have long been advocating. This comes just a few months after a young gay Chilean man was brutally assaulted—and eventually died—in a homophobic attack.

“We are pleased to witness the passage of this law, which will provide legal protection from discrimination for all of Chile’s citizens,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs.

“The Chilean Jewish community has long advocated for legislation that would protect all victims of discrimination and bigotry without any distinctions. We wholeheartedly welcome this much-needed law,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.

B’nai B’rith has been working for years to promote the passage of anti-discrimination legislation in many countries. In the United States, B’nai B’rith International supported the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act that was passed in 2009 and will continue to speak out against discrimination and hate crimes worldwide.

B’nai B’rith has also been cooperating for years with an Organization of American States (OAS) working group that is preparing a draft Inter-American Convention against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance. If approved, the convention will serve as a fundamental tool to combat hatred and intolerance at the hemispheric level.