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IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Deplores Death of Daniel Zamudio in Chile
March 29, 2012
Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) deplores the death of Daniel Zamudio, 24, as a result of serious wounds that he suffered on March 3, 2012, in Santiago de Chile. That day, Daniel Zamudio was the victim of a violent attack during several hours. His attackers wounded him and carved the symbol of the svastika on his chest. Daniel Zamudio was hospitalized and died on March 27.
The IACHR emphatically condemns this attack and any violent act against lesbians, gays and trans, bisexual and intersex persons. The violence against a person because of her or his sexual orientation, her gender identity or his gender expression is to be condemned under any circumstance.
The IACHR recalls that it is a State obligation to investigate officiously actions of this nature and to sanction those responsible. In that sense, the Commission exhorts the Chilean State to develop the investigation in an immediate and serious manner, with all guarantees of due process, and with the purpose of identifying and sanctioning all those responsible. The impunity of a hate crime promotes social tolerance of this phenomenon.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in a personal capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 34/12