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MAPUCHE INTERNATIONAL LINK |
Failure of Chilean diplomacy
Delegation Concerned with Treatment of Mapuche Prisoners Ignored by UK Chilean Embassy
Press Release - January 28, 2008
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On January 25, a delegation comprised of Sara De Witt (The organization of Chilean ex-Political Prisoners); Roberto Vasquez , (representative of the International Project for Human Rights, based in London); Martín Tellez (Solidarity Federation) and Reynaldo Mariqueo , (Mapuche International Link) arrived at the Chilean embassy in London to personally deliver a letter to the Chilean Ambassador, Rafael Moreno. ___________ Photo: Roberto Vasquez, Sara De Witt and Reynaldo Mariqueo |
The Delegates wanted to express their deep concern over the situation faced by Mapuche political prisoners, particularly Patricia Troncoso, who has been on a hunger strike in a Chilean prison for 110 days.
Sara De Witt commented that, after the refusal by the Ambassador to receive the delegation, a request was made to see another official. This request was also denied. Finally the delegation requested that the doorman of the embassy receive the letter. He refused this request over the telecom system, answering that, 'he could not leave his position', and that, 'the letter could be put through the letter box.'
This un-diplomatic response by the Chilean representative in London inflamed the feelings of the demonstrators and brought fourth further condemnation of the Chilean government. Re-energised, demonstrators shouted the Mapuche slogans for the liberation of political prisoners ("Liberar, liberar al mapuche por luchar"), and for land rights ("las tierras robadas, serán recuperadas").
Part of the letter states, "We consider it unacceptable that the authorities in Chile are using an anti-terrorism law against individuals who are exercising their democratic right to freedom of expression, when demanding the restoration of their ancestral territory." The letter also concludes, "We demand the immediate transfer of the prisoner Patricia Troncoso to a hospital that is capable of providing the proper medical care for her, and that she be allowed regular access to a lawyer and her own doctor."
Patricia's state of health is now so critical that drastic action needs to be taken to prevent this hunger strike ending in tragedy.
The Chilean government has refused dialogue with Mapuche political prisoners, regardless of the efforts of the Catholic Church in the Araucanía region, and despite calls from broad sectors of society, including national and international human rights organisations, for a just resolution of the conflict. Government officials make limited statements of good intentions to the press, which are never delivered upon. The real aim of the government would appear to be the breaking of the movement that seeks both justice for Mapuche prisoners and the recovery of land usurped by forestry companies.
With regard to the situation of Mapuche political prisoners, the Werken Mariqueo pointed out that: "if the crimes they are accused of had been committed outside the ancestral territory of the Mapuche nation, the prisoners would have been freed." He added that , 'in order to apply the anti-terrorist law, first used under Pinochet, to the common offences they are accused of, the label 'terrorist' is applied. Curiously, those who yesterday had called such laws oppressive, unjust and un-democratic, today do not hesitate to use them against the Mapuche. Because of their racist interpretation of human rights, what was once un-acceptable for them becomes acceptable for indigenous people."
Next Wednesday 30th January , 2008 another demonstration will take place in front of the Chilean Embassy in London, 12 Devonshire St., London W1G 7DS. Between 12:00 and 14:00 hrs.
Another action people could take is phoning the Chilean Embassy and asking about Patricia Troncoso's health, to try and drive them into action. Their phone number is: 44 (0)20 7580 6392. or, you could try emailing them at:
E-mail: embachile@embachile.co.uk.
Mapuche International Link
