Brutal police repression against the Mapuche Pascual Coña Community

Tuesday, 30th September, 2008

On Friday 26th September, 10 Mapuches were detained as the result of the brutal repression enforced by carabiniers (military police force), the Civil Commission of Carabiniers and DIPLOCAT (Police Office of Carabiniers) in the community of Pascual Coña.

As the result of the brutal repression enforced by the carabiniers in our community on Friday 26th of this month, 10 people were detained, 9 men and one woman. Among those arrested were three ‘lonko' (chiefs) from the Mapuche Community involved in conflict – Lonko Bautista Ancalao Necul (of the community of Tranicura I), Lonko José Marihuen (of the Community of Tranicura II), and Lonko Manuel Fren (of the community of Kuyinco). Werken (Diplomat) Maria Llanquileo, (from the Mapuche Committee of Arauco-Malleco), and community members of Rucañanco were also detained.

Most Mapuches were arrested inside the Werken's homes, situated in the Avelino Meñaco Community. They were looking after the childrens, inside their home when they were fired upon by bullets, tear gas bombs, and subsequently beaten by Carabiniers. Whilst detained, the police threatened to kill the Mapuches with their weapons.

Héctor Llaitul, Mapuche Social Worker and Advisor to the Community, was also arrested as part of the brutal repression, and is now in Cañete Hospital with an unspecified diagnosis. They haven't even extracted the bullets he received to most of his body, his head, face and arm.

On Saturday 27th, the Court of Cañete confirmed the arrest of six of the Mapuche, and set one person free. The three remaining Mapuches were handed over to the Military Prosecutor's Office. The six men were detained in Lebu Prison, and the one woman was sent to Arauco Prison.

On Saturday, the Governor of the 8th Region by order of the Ministry of the Interior presented an injunction to enforce the Internal State Security Act against the Mapuche detainees. On Monday, the request was granted.

Let us make it quite clear that the fight to regain our ancestral territory will not stop, and neither will that of other Mapuche Communities. We know that it is only through struggle that we can restore our right to land and autonomy. This fight must continue until we remove these private entrepreneurs, tourism and forestry companies from our lands. These groups only get rich by the poverty, repression and oppression of the Mapuche Communities.

¡MARRICHIWEU! (We will keep on fighting!)

Mapuche Community of Pascual Coña
Mapuche Co-ordinating Committee of Arauco-Malleco

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Translated by Elise Saunders
Mapuche International Link

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