Open Letter from Arnaud Fuentes: This document is a personal witness statement regarding violations of human and citizens' rights in Chile, particularly the racism and discrimination against the Mapuche, which I observed first hand during the month and a half I spent in Chile. Perpignan, France, 11 de April 1999

Open Letter from Arnaud Fuentes
Racism and Oppression: the calvary of the Mupuche people who are claiming their historic (ancestral) right to their land
Perpignan, 11 April 1999

This document is a personal witness statement regarding violations of human
and citizens' rights in Chile, particularly the racism and discrimination
against the Mapuche, which I observed first hand during the month and a half
I spent in Chile.
I am currently studying for my mastery in Spanish studies and Latin American
language, literature and civilization, at the University of Perpignan
(France). As part of my studies, I travelled to Chile to carry out research
into "the historic process of the expropriation of Mapuche lands and their
subsequent claims." In 1883, after military defeat by the Republic of Chile,
the Mapuche lost more than 3 million hectares of land (now the VIII and IX
Regions of Chile).

During my stay I was in daily contact with Mapuche communities, hoping to
build a better understanding of their way of life, customs and traditions. On
17 February 1999 I was invited into a family home by Juan Pichun, a student
in Temuco, whose father, Pascual Pichun, is the Longko (chief) of Temulemu
community (IX region).

On 19 February 1999, my second night in Temulemu, I was woken at 6.30am,
along with seven members of the community (including 4 juveniles, the
youngest of whom is 11 years old) and then held at gunpoint by police
officers from the special forces. Without notification of the reason for our
detention or explanation of our rights, we were handcuffed and detained in a
bus. Here we were forced to remain on our knees.

The conditions of our arrest and detention were degrading and harsh. Insults
of a racist type were thrown at us: we were called "pigs", "dogs", "shit
indians", "sons of indian whores" ... we were all psychologically affected
and some of us also suffered physical violence.

Protests made by the community, over our arrest, led to a confrontation with
the police forces. The aggressive police officers went as far as pursuing
people into their homes and committing further degrading acts there. During
these incidents, even women suffered physical aggression, notably a Machi
(Mapuche spiritual leader) in her fifties, Maria Claudina Ancamilla, who was
hospitalised as a result of her injuries.

Two other Mapuche were brought onto the bus where we knelt - one of these was
Pascual Pichun (my host and the community's leader): he had injuries to his
head, one a large lesion that was bleeding. The second individual's face was
swollen and covered with blood.

Our imprisonment lasted one and a half days. During this time, despite
numerous requests, I was unable to obtain the right to contact the French
embassy. On the afternoon of 20th February we were released, without knowing
the real reasons for our detention. Once outside it became clear we had been
arrested in the course of a police action instigated by the forestry company
Mininco, in order that the company could remove wood and equipment from a
sawmill near to where we had been spending the night.

Minico has declared itself the owners of these woods and land. These lands
being exploited by the Mininco Company belonged to the community until 1979,
in that year a law was passed by the Pinochet government, which divided the
community and facilitated the plundering of the land. Today, the community is
reclaiming what has always belonged to them.

Following these incidents, Isaac Vergara (steward of the IX region) acting on
a police report decided to issue an order for my expulsion from Chile.

In the police report I am accused of being in possession of a home-made weapon
and of participation in a confrontation with these same officers. These
charges are unfounded because during the incident I was handcuffed on the bus
and I was later discharged unconditionally by a Judge in Traiguen.

Having experienced this abuse, I have decided to initiate a legal action in
order to assert my rights and to reverse my expulsion from the country. This
could hinder me from returning to Latin America where I have friends and,
more seriously, hinder me pursuing my University studies towards my thesis.

My deposition went as far as the Supreme Court of Justice in Chile, which
found in my favour. All through the process media pressure encroached on me.

The newspapers published false information, based on unfounded evidence,
concerning the situation in which I found myself.

Despite my problems and whether or not they are settled , the situation for
the Mapuche people is completely different. In the VIII and IX region a
completely repressive system has been vigorously put into place against the
Mapuche.

I was insulted and threatened by security guards from forestry company
Mininco. I was followed and photographed by plain-clothes police. Young
Mapuche have told me of their detentions, during which they are tortured; of
simulated executions, of being hung by the feet or the back, physical and
psychological acts of cruelty...

The only response which the Chilean State shows with regard to Mapuche land
claims, seems to be increasing police presence or violence, leading to
increased repression and intimidation. This solution does not seem viable
because their presence further poisons the already tense atmosphere and
terrorizes the local population.

I should like this document to bring to light the kind of experience people
are forced to live through daily, even at the dawn of the 21st century. I
also wish to establish the truth concerning my detention and expulsion order.

It is evident that, as a foreigner, I underwent a violation of my rights,
however it is like that every day for the Mapuche of Chile - a situation that
the Chilean press never reveals.

I hope this account will carry the necessary weight and impact to influence
public opinion, so that the Mapuche people can finally be recognised and can
regain their land, their dignity and their freedom.