The Netherlands, Manifestation at the Chilean Ambassy supporting Mapuche Prisoners

Friday June 3, 2011 To the Mapuche activists who in a show of solidarity, sought to protest Chile's "abuse of due legal process" at the Chilean Embassy in regards to four members of the Mapuche indigenous community.

The Mapuche leaders Hector Llaitul, Ramon Llanquileo, Jose Huenuche and Jonathan Huillical are accused of crimes under the Pinochet-era anti-terrorism law, which allows the Chilean prosecution to use tactics such as anonymous witness and harsher than otherwise sentences.

The political prisoners' hunger strike, now having lasted over 80 days, is an effort to bring attention to these draconian laws that clearly violate international human rights.

Representatives from the Mapuche Foundation Folil and supporters from other indigenous groups such as West Papua and Alifuru (Maluku) , organized to petition the Chilean Ambassador at The Hague to reverse the conviction and uphold international legal standards.

The Mapuche Foundation Folil representatives reported difficulties in convincing the Chilean Ambassador of the seriousness of the issue and having the victims recognized as political prisoners. They also sought to bring attention to the living conditions of the Mapuche people in Chile and the discrimination they face.

According to the Alifuru and Mapuche representatives (hereby quoting the UN-declaration on the rights of the indigenous peoples) , government investment in the Mapuche people cannot be considered the solution for the problem of land forcibly taken away and must be addressed as a political issue.

The video is a support and by the Chilean singer: Verónica Castro Ravelo

For images: http://www.mapuche.nl/english/chile_embassy110603_2.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• chile
• mapuche
• mapuches
• holanda
• presos
• netherlands
• holland