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MAPUCHE INTERNATIONAL LINK Tel/Fax: + 44-117-9279391 Website: www.mapuche-nation.org |
Tuesday, 02 May 2006 - Mapuche Protest in London - Selina Whiteley
Bristol based pressure group, Mapuche International Link, are lobbying Chilean President, Michelle Bachellet over her unjust penal system which discriminates against the Mapuche, an indigenous nation whose ancestral territory spans the Southern region of Chile and Argentina.
The pressure group feels especially disappointed at the new Chilean's leader's lack of response because, as a socialist, she herself suffered political persecution at the hands of a discriminatory legal system.
One form of protest has been the group's letter to the Chilean leader which appeals to her own experiences in the hope that she will be more empathetic.
The letter declares: 'Considering that these were results of repressive laws implemented under the dictatorial state, it seems unworthy and disappoints us that you maintain them, as there is a lack of firmness in its democratic principles, and you were amongst those who fought so much yesterday.'
The letter continues by alluding to the suffering of the prisoners and the injustices inherent within the system.
There are currently four Mapuche political prisoners who have been on hunger strike for 50 days after a trial that by all legal standards has to be seen as unlawful.
For merely exercising their democratic right to protest against the occupation of their ancestral lands by a multi-national forestry company these four activists became subject to the anti-terrorist law 18.314. This law allows for witness anonymity and the defence is consequently unable to contest their evidence.
Today marks the 50th day of the hunger striker for the four prisoners whose health is now considered to be at a critical point.
If this were an isolated case it would be bad enough, but the Mapuche have for decades now been casualties of social and legal discrimination. Other dissenters too have been deemed terrorists and felt the full force of the law, suggesting that the political needs of the Mapuche nation are themselves criminalised.
The letter continues by appealing to Michelle Bachellet for reconsideration of the laws. The importance of such protests cannot be overemphasised.
On Weds the 3rd of May, a Mapuche delegation will visit Brussels to hold meetings with members of the European Parliament in order to persuade them to adopt a resolution against Chile because of the persistence of human rights violations against Mapuche people in Chile.
On this day across Europe a coordinated day of action will take place in support of the Mapuche political prisoners and those currently on hunger strike. In Britain , a vigil will be hold at 2pm outside the Chilean Embassy, 12 Devonshire Street, London W1N. The aim of this demonstration will be show those inside how widespread the concerns for these prisoners are.
