A call for action on the 26th of October 2007

Day of international solidarity with the Mapuche people

 15th of October 2007  

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The Mapuche and European solidarity organisation signatories listed below, make an urgent call to social and human rights organisations and indigenous peoples support groups, to join ‘a day of international solidarity with the Mapuche people’ which will take place on Friday the 26th of October 2007.

The systematic political persecution of Mapuche activists and ancestral authorities by the Chilean Government compels us to appeal - one again for your support and solidarity.

From the 10th of October 2007 five Mapuche political prisoners have been on indefinite hunger strike, for recognition and respect of their human rights.  They are; Jaime Marileo, Patricia Troncoso, Jose Millalen, Héctor Llaitul and Jose Huenchunao, who are currently detained in Angol prison, Araucanía.  Their demands are as follows:

• Freedom of all Mapuche political prisoners
• Demilitarization of the zone in conflict, in the Araucanian Region
• An end to the repression of Mapuche communities

Despite the persistent pressure of numerous international human rights organisations, the Chilean government persists in using the judiciary and police force as instruments of political repression against Mapuche leaders and political representatives. The policy of political repression applied by the government of President Michelle Bachelet undermines the economic, social and cultural rights of the Mapuche people.

The Chilean State refuses to ratify ‘Convention 169’ of the ILO on indigenous and tribal peoples and it does not demonstrate any political will to implement ‘The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous peoples’. The Chilean State condemns Mapuche political leaders to prison for minor offences which according to the Penal Code should not constitute a prison sentence; they simultaneously deny them status as political prisoners.

On the occasion of the visit on the 18th of October to the Vatican, by the President of Chile and her audience with Pope Benedict the XVI, we call to activate a campaign of awareness and protest for the Mapuche political prisoners confined in Chilean prisons.

Proposed activities and actions:

• Protest outside Chilean embassies and establishments that represent  Chilean commercial and political interest
• to send emails and letters of protest to the Chilean embassies in the country of residence,
• to raise awareness via the internet of actions, information and protest.
• To send emails and letters of protest to media  of the country of residence
• To send emails and letters to human rights organisations, the UN Human Rights Council and to Euro MPs.
• To organise political and cultural activities, workshops etc – to raise awareness of the situation of the Mapuche

We appeal for your practical and moral support with the Mapuche peoples struggle for justice, freedom and self-determination.

For more information please contact:
 
 

Reynaldo Mariqueo Enlace Mapuche Internacional - England mapuche@mapuche-nation.org	Jorge Calbucura Centro de Documentación Mapuche, Ñuke Mapu - Sweden calbucura@mapuche.info
Rodolfo Vejar Mapundial - Holand mapundial@yahoo.com	Millaray Waikian Organización Aukiñ wenteche - Switzerland aukinwenteche@yahoo.fr
Gaston Lion  Belgium Committee - America India – Belgium  gaston.lion@skynet.be