International Native Tradition Interchange
Public Statement on Violence in Wallmapu - Chile
New York, August 18, 2009.
Given the gravity of recent developments of the Araucania Region, the 12th of August 2009 that ended with the murder of our Mapuche brother, Jaime Mendoza Collio, at the hands of Special Forces of Carabineros (Chilean Police).
We declare the following:
We repudiate and condemn the murder of our Mapuche’s brother Jaime Mendoza Collio, in addition to the deaths of Matias Catrileo Quezada, Johnny Yanez Cariqueo, Rodrigo Cisternas Fernandez, Juan Collihuin Catril and Alex Lemun Saavedra.
Under Chile’s Coalition Government we currently have 37 Mapuche brothers imprisoned under the Anti-Terrorist Act, a disastrous legacy of the military dictatorship.
All this background has been revealed to the current government. We demand justice for our Mapuche brothers, and a repeal of the Terrorism Act, in addition to a dialogue with the Mapuche communities in conflict, especially now that the Chilean government vice-chairs the UN Human Rights body and is preparing to “celebrate” the Bicentennial of Chile, which represents the dispossession of our Mapuche bother’s territories now in conflict.
This why we demand:
1.-Dialogue with the Mapuche Communities in conflict.
Before any dialogue can begin, we demand the de-militarization of the Araucania territory where we´re currently witnessing these tragic events.
The immediate release of all Mapuche political prisoners.
That the civil justice in Chile take charge of the investigation and clarification of the murders of our Mapuche brothers since the military prosecutor’s office acts are biased and provide no guarantees for a quick clarification.
Abolition and repeal of the law 18.314.Called the anti Terrorist Act, which has only served to criminalize and suppress the just demands of our Mapuche brothers and sisters.
We ask the of UN’s Human Rights Organization to monitor these claims that have already been brought to the attention of the government of Chile.
We reaffirm that we will continue bringing the just demands of the Mapuche people to international public opinion and exposing the repressive and racist system that is currently guiding the Chilean government.
Carlos Eden-Maidel
International Relations Coordinator.
INTERNATIONAL NATIVE TRADITION INTERCHANGE.
New York