CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS IN CHILE

To the Council of the European Union
To the Embassies of Chile in Europe
To the European media
To political and social organizations of Europe


CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS IN CHILE

With this letter, the European Region of the Humanist International expresses its serious worries for the health of four leaders of the Mapuche people of Chile that are sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and are being held in Temuco prison, Chile.

Patricia Troncoso, Juan Marileo, Florencio Marileo and Juan Carlos Huenulao have been on hunger strike for 54 days now and their life is already in serious danger.

All the information we have indicates that the 4 members of the Mapuche Community have been submitted to an unjust trial without access to a real defence; they have been accused by witnesses with covered faces, and tried according to the antiterrorist law 18,314 that was introduced by the military dictatorship of Pinochet.  They have been sentenced to 10 years jail and to a fine of 400 million pesos to be paid to a forestry company that is one of the richest in the country.

For us, Humanists and citizens of Europe, fighters against any form of racism, exploitation and violation of Human Rights, it is incomprehensible that this theme is not treated urgently by the Chilean government.

Moreover, we denounce the repression and violence used by the Chilean police force against peaceful participants in demonstrations for the liberation of the 4 leaders.  6 persons have been hurt and arrested during a manifestation in Temuco, some days after 15 Mapuche leaders were arrested in front of La Moneda, Santiago.

Apparently in Chile there exist two classes of citizens that are treated completely different, which has to be classified as a racist policy from the side of the Chilean authorities.

We demand from the Chilean Government the liberation of the political prisoners of the Mapuche people and that their situation is urgently clarified, and we ask European governments and all the democratic forces in Europe to put pressure on this important issue.


Zurich, 7th of May 2006

Daniel Horowitz
Humanist International