Chile: Information on Catholic schools discriminating against children born out of wedlock, 1992 to present
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CHL27345.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Chile: Information on Catholic schools discriminating against children born out of wedlock, 1992 to present, 1 July 1997, CHL27345.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acdf66.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a letter sent by electronic mail to the DIRB on 21 July 1997, a political studies professor specializing in Latin American politics at the University of Guelph stated his belief that "children born out of wedlock are discriminated against in Chile." He added that "discrimination" against children born out of wedlock existed in a legal sense and within the Catholic school system (ibid.). Please consult the attached copy of his letter for additional information on children born of unwed, separated or divorced parents.
According to a 23 January 1997 CHIP News report, some children born of unwed parents cannot matriculate in school. The same report states that these children do not have the same legal or social rights as children born to married parents (ibid.). A 10 January 1995 Inter Press Service (IPS) report states that laws addressing the inequalities between legitimate and illegitimate children have been presented to the Chilean Parliament during the 1990s. However, a 23 January 1997 CHIP News report states that a marriage bill proposing the same legal rights to children born of couples living together for at least five years in common-law marriages was rejected by the Chamber of Deputies. For additional information on illegitimate children and the divorce debate in Chile, please consult the above-cited reports.
Two CHIP News articles dated 27 May 1997 and 8 August 1995 have also been attached for general information on discrimination against illegitimate children in Chile.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
CHIP News [Santiago]. 27 May 1997. "Intolerance Prevails in Chile." [Internet] [Accessed 22 July 1997]
_____. 23 January 1997. "Parliament Debates Divorce." [Internet] http://www.chip.cl/> [Accessed 22 July 1997]
_____. 8 August 1995. "Consideration for Children of Unwed Mothers." [Internet] [Accessed 22 July 1997].
Inter Press Service (IPS). 10 January 1995. "Chile: Multiparty Agreement Opens Divorce Law Debate." (NEXIS)
Professor specializing in Latin American politics, Department of Political Studies, University of Guelph. 21 July 1997. Letter sent to the DIRB by electronic mail.
Reuters. 23 January 1997. BC Cycle. "Chile to Vote on Bill to Legalize Divorce." (NEXIS)
Attachments
CHIP News [Santiago]. 27 May 1997. "Intolerance Prevails in Chile." [Internet] [Accessed 22 July 1997]
_____. 23 January 1997. "Parliament Debates Divorce." [Internet] http://www.chip.cl/> [Accessed 22 July 1997]
_____. 8 August 1995. "Consideration for Children of Unwed Mothers." [Internet] [Accessed 22 July 1997].
Inter Press Service (IPS). 10 January 1995. "Chile: Multiparty Agreement Opens Divorce Law Debate." (NEXIS)
Professor specializing in Latin American politics, Department of Political Studies, University of Guelph. 21 July 1997. Letter sent to the DIRB by electronic mail.
Reuters. 23 January 1997. BC Cycle. "Chile to Vote on Bill to Legalize Divorce." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. 1992-1997.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1992-1996.
Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1992-1997.
Fundación de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas (FASIC). 1997. Situación de Derechos Humanos en Chile 1996.
Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996-1997.
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1992-1997.
Two sources did not provide information on the above-mentioned subject.
