Committe for the Support of Mapuche People, Canada

Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary

PRESS RELEASE - PETITION

May, 18, 2001

On May 15, 2001 in the town of Tirua, VIII Region, Province of Arauco, Chile, 4 Mapuche people were shot by plain clothes Police officers.

Since 9:30 a.m. different groups of detective officers arrived at the location were Mapuche community members were receiving their Government Allowance.

At 12:00 noon, the detectives attempted to apprehend Jose Esteban Marihuen, but the public prevented his detention. Three detectives began to shoot with their service weapons and the people had to run for cover.

At Ignacio Carrera Pinto Street, at the Local Market Place, Abel Marihuen Huenupil aged 18 was shot.

At 12:15 near the Elementary School F-866, located on San Joaquin Street, the detectives shot Juan Bautista Liempi Marihuen, 36; Domingo Marihuen Marin, Hernan Albornos Carilao, 27.

Finally at 13:15 a group of 4 detectives in a Nissan truck, license plate TA 5599 appeared in front of the local Medical Clinic, and guns on hands pointed to the people.

During all of these incidents, the detectives showed total lack of respect and acted in a very violent, repressive and threatening attitude, which made the people either run for a safe place or to be shot indiscriminately.

We denounce this coward act of repression by the Chilean police and demand that the State and the government to conduct a full investigation of the police brutality.

We demand that the Chilean Government:

set a special commission to investigate the action of the detectives involved in the shooting against disarmed people.
the immediate demilitarization of the Mapuche territory.
end the application of the Internal Security Law against Mapuche people.
stop the repression against the Mapuche Communities.

! AMULEAY TAIÑ WEICHAN MARRICHIWEU !

For more information please contact:

Armando Navarrete
decimas@globetrotter.qc.ca

Carlos Pilquil
carlos_p4@hotmail.com
Coordinators:
Committe for the Support of Mapuche People, Montreal, Canada
Phone #: (514) 271-7599 (514) 937-1880

Hugo Torres-Cereceda
bhjanijm@mb.sympatico.ca
Coordinator:
Committe for the Support of Mapuche People, Winnipeg, Canada
Phone #: (204) 453-8581

Dionicio Barrales
mbarrale@epsb.net
Coordinator
Committe for the Support of Mapuche People, Edmonton, Canada
Phone #: (780) 462-5295

Victor Gavilan
vgavilan@home.com
Coordinator
Committe for the Support of Mapuche People, Calgary, Canada
Phone # : (403) 235-3067

To accelerate the campaign demanding respect for the Mapuche people. Here are listed names an addresses of key government officials you can voice your concerns to:

Mr. Ricardo Lagos
President of the Republic of Chile
e.mail internet@presidencia.cl

Mr. Jose Miguel Insulza
Minister of Internal Affairs
e.mail afernandez@interior.gov.cl

Mr. Jaime Toha
Intendent of the VIII Region
Fonofax: 56 - 41-225088
e. mail intbiobio@interior.gov.cl

Ms. Berta Belmar
Intendencia IX Región,
Fono Fax: 56 - 45 - 208217)
e. mail: intaraucania@interior.gov.cl

Let´s keep the pressure!!!

Please send copy of your letters to:

Luis Llanquilef Rerequeo
Centro Kimun Amuy
Department of Human Rights
Phone: 41-61.32.52.
Chile.
corpkimun@yahoo.com
rerequeo@yahoo.com