To the kind attention of: Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet Jeria President of the Republic of Chile La Moneda Palace Chile  Fax: +562-690-4020 The Hague, 28 April 2006

Madam President,

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is deeply concerned about the situation of Mapuche political prisoners, who are demanding a reconsideration of the prison sentences that were issued by the Chilean Court of Justice under anti-terrorist law.

Since 13 March 2006 the Mapuche political prisoners confined in Angol prison, Patricia Troncoso, Patricio Marileo Saravia, Jaime Marileo Saravia and Juan Carlos Huenulao Lienmil, have been on hunger strike with the objective of achieving a review of the judgments under which they were sentenced in compensation to the company Forestal Mininco. They allege that the sentence imposed, was based on the controversial anti-terrorist law (Law no. 18.314) which led to the arbitrary judicial decision. The anti-terrorist law allows charges against an accused based on the testimonies of unidentified witnesses. This law is reported to have been used only against Mapuche members.

Taking into consideration these developments, UNPO supports the demands of the Mapuche political prisoners on hunger strike confined in Angol prison and calls upon the President of the Republic of Chile:

• to review the political judgment issued by the Chilean Courts of Justice;

• to drop all illegal and arbitrary charges against Mapuche members; and

• to ensure the immediate release of the Mapuche political prisoners.

It is hoped that due consideration can be given to the request contained in this letter. I look forward to receiving your response on this matter.

Sincerely,

Marino Busdachin
General Secretary

_______________________________________________

Office of the General Secretary
P. O. Box 85878 - 2508 CN The Hague - the Netherlands
Tel: +31-(0)70- 36 46 504 - Fax: +31-(0)70- 36 46 608 - E-mail: unpo@unpo.org - www.unpo.org

Back to top