Hundreds join anti-vaccine protest in Chile

Hundreds of anti-vaccine protesters demonstrated in front of Chile's presidential palace on Friday, accusing the government of discrimination and violation of their rights.

Carrying banners with slogans such as "Take off your muzzle" and "They are killing us", the protesters complained they were being treated as second-class citizens.

They said their rights were being violated by the so-called "mobility pass" issued by the authorities to people who have had their vaccinations.

The pass allows vaccinated people to dine inside restaurants, take part in larger-scale events, and - from Monday - travel abroad if they test negative for the virus.

The demonstrators held placards blaming people such as World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and philanthropist Bill Gates for the pandemic.

Chile has reported just under 35,000 deaths from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.