We will not tolerate any type of discrimination said Michelle Bachelet in meeting with Evangelicals

SANTIAGO , Chile, December 2, 2005

 “We will not tolerate any type of discrimination because we want a country that understands Taxi Heathrow Airport and generously accepts diversity, a more respectful, more warm and welcoming country,” said Michele Bachelet who represents the ruling party’s coalition, in a meeting with Chilean Evangelical leaders held this Friday in the Providencia Hotel in Santiago.

In a letter lead to more than 200 pastors the presidential candidate expressed her identification with “those Protestant leaders who in past years struggled, even to the death, for freedom, equality and non exclusion in our beloved country.” 

Bachelet sustained in a dialogue with religious that “no one thinks that divorce is good” but insisted that the law is necessary in the country “because people who have made mistakes have the right to remake their lives.” According to the candidate, the aim of the law is to protect the rights of women and children “something that did not happen before.”

While she did not refer directly to the issue of abortion, highly sensitive for Catholics and Evangelicals, the candidate touched on it affirming that “separations are a fact, just like abortions in our country.” She added, “I am in favor of life, for this reason I studied Medicine,” she said.

She spoke strongly about same sex unions. “In my government program it is clear that we will not legislate about marriage among homosexuals,” she said. The Civil Code is clear: marriage is a union between men and women, she said.

At the same time she announced that what she will do if she is elected on December 11 is legislate about common law unions “because it is just.” The aim is to resolve a series of civil problems that emerge from those relationships related to inheritances, common goods, health policies, she said.

She also announced her aim to create an Office of Religious Affairs to coordinate with all Churches and creeds.

“The objective is to promote equality, to support constituted Churches and integrate them into diverse projects of community participation,” she said, after emphasizing the need to create Ecumenical spaces in different branches of the armed forces so that the chaplains can exercise their task.

At the same time, she proposed the creation of a “Conscientious objection” system to recruits who fulfill obligatory military service until it is eliminated and replaced by a voluntary service.