Carlos Melej Nazar

Carlos Melej Nazar (30 August 1906 – 26 July 1976) was a Chilean lawyer and Radical Party politician.

He was the son of Abraham Melej Guardi and Emilia Nazar Feres, both of Lebanese origin. He married Nicolasa Filomena Marambio Prenafeta in Vallenar in 1933.

Biography Melej completed his secondary education at the Liceo de Ovalle and studied law at the University of Chile, receiving his law degree on 3 September 1929 with the thesis El estado de necesidad en materia penal.

He worked as secretary of the Putaendo Court (1930), Judge of Letters in Freirina (1933), and later as a lawyer, judge and notary in Vallenar. He also served as legal adviser to the Instituto Bioquímico Labomed S.A.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, he held various party positions including secretary, vice-president and president of the Radical Assembly of Vallenar.

He was elected alderman and mayor of Vallenar (1935–1941).

He was elected Deputy for the 3rd Departmental Group (Copiapó, Chañaral, Huasco, Freirina) for three consecutive terms: 1941–1945, 1945–1949, and 1949–1953.

During his parliamentary service, he took part in several permanent committees, including Government and Interior; Constitution, Legislation and Justice; Economy and Commerce; and Labor and Social Legislation.

He was vice-president of the Rotary Club of Vallenar, president of the Lebanese Circle and the Circle of Professionals of Arab Descent, and was decorated by the Government of Lebanon in 1951.