New bill would punish those who insult Chile’s anthem, coat of arms and flag

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The bill in Chile’s Congress would impose fines and even prison sentences for those who “insult” Chile’s national symbols. Independent Senator Juan Castro, has presented a bill that aims to punish those who insult Chile’s national symbols.

The motion is supported by pro-government parliamentarians, including Rodrigo Galilea (RN), Kenneth Pugh (IND), and David Sandoval (UDI).

According to Castro, anyone who disrespects the flag, national anthem, or national coat of arms “can be punished with a minor prison sentence in any degree and a fine.”

The bill was presented weeks after the interruption of the national anthem during the installation of the Constitutional Convention. According to the proposal, the law is justified after “episodes of violence and intolerance” that have occurred in Chile since 2019.

“I think it is essential; we cannot allow as a society that a Chilean brother or a foreigner in our country dares to mock the national anthem, the national coat of arms, and our flag,” charged Juan Castro.

“These symbols are the emblem of our Republic, and I consider it appropriate to fine them and, in addition, impose a prison sentence on those who dare to insult our national emblems,” he added.