Key victory for parental rights in Chile

 (Photo: Unsplash/Annie Spratt)

The right of parents to decide how their children are educated, especially when it comes to sex education, has been protected following a ruling by the Chilean Constitutional Tribunal.

The tribunal declared unconstitutional certain provisions in a children's rights Bill that would have prioritised children's "progressive autonomy" over parental oversight.

The demand that sex education be "secular and non-sexist" was also overturned following a local campaign.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which supported campaigners, said the provision would have led to the exclusion of different religious and moral perspectives in teaching on the subject.

Tomás Henríquez, Director of Advocacy in Latin America and the Caribbean for ADF International, said the verdict had important ramifications beyond Chile.

"The state should not interfere with parent-child relationships," he said. 

"We welcome the Chilean Constitutional Tribunal's ruling, which sets a strong precedent for the protection of parental rights in Latin America.

"A majority of judges confirmed that the government cannot impose a worldview on religious and moral issues, nor interfere without grave reasons in the decision-making of parents when it comes to directing their children's upbringing and the exercise of their rights."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
'Managerial' secularism becoming commonplace across Europe, says rights group
'Managerial' secularism becoming commonplace across Europe, says rights group

Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) says that governmental restrictions on religions freedom have reached their highest level in Europe in two decades.

Church of England publishes report on mission funding impact
Church of England publishes report on mission funding impact

Over £100m went to Church of England dioceses and mission partners.

Manipur Christians face 'grave and escalating humanitarian crisis'
Manipur Christians face 'grave and escalating humanitarian crisis'

Three years on the crisis is far from over.

Faith plays key role in young people’s mental wellbeing - study
Faith plays key role in young people’s mental wellbeing - study

A new study suggests that religion can play a significant role in shaping the mental health and emotional resilience of young people, particularly when it is expressed through positive coping practices.