[Ppnews] Mapuche Prisoners on Hunger Strike near death!

[Political Prisoner News]

Four Mapuche Hunger Strikers - fight for life

2nd of May 2006

Today, Tuesday May 2nd, marks the 50th day of the hunger strike for the
Mapuche political prisoners Patricia Troncoso, Juan Huenulao, Patricio
Marileo and Jaime Marileo. Their health is now seriously deteriorating,
they are experiencing considerable weight loss (have each lost 20 kilos),
their basic bodily functions are begining to fail, they are currently
falling in and out of consciousness and are periodically unable to speak.

The four political prisoners protest was initiated to bring about the
revision of their sentence, by virtue of the questionable integrity of the
legal process that brought about this ruling under the anti-terrorist law
passed by the Pinochet regime, which allows charges to be passed against
the accused based on the testimonies of unidentified witnesses.
Furthermore they aim to bring about the immediate release of all Mapuche
political prisoners.

The Chilean anti-terrorist law established during the Pinochet
dictatorship, had until yesterday been utilised under the current system
of government against Mapuches whose protest is peaceful and in compliance
with democratic principles. The application of this legislation has been
repeatedly condemned by the U.N Special Rapporteur for Indigenous peoples
Rodolfo Stavenhagen; the recommendations made in his criticism of the
Chilean government have been further endorsed by numerous international
human rights organisations.

On April 29th the families of those on hunger strike protested peacefully
against the failure of the Chilean government to respond to the situation,
by occupying the prison in Angol where their family members are detained,
for a period of six hours. Subsequently, the Chilean government has
responded by promising to abstain from applying the anti-terrorist law
against Mapuches in the future. Nevertheless, the hunger strike continues.

A number of demonstrations have taken place across Chile over the past few
weeks, in support of the hunger strikers, which have been violently
suppressed by the Chilean police resulting in the injury and detention of
many more Mapuche. The demonstrations have taken place amidst a national
news blackout which occurs as a result of official bias within media
corporations; many media corporate members have affiliations with the
trans-national forestry companies whose interests are in conflict with
those of Mapuche activists who wish to preserve the integrity of the
environment and their ancestral land.

The response of the Chilean authorities has been one of silence; we find
this reaction unfortunate as many government officials, including the
current President Michelle Bachelet, were themselves the subject of
oppression under the former Chilean dictatorship. It remains to be seen
whether or not the government stays true to its most recent promise in
relation to the application of the anti-terrorist law or if it will
continue to sanction the use of such repressive laws against the Mapuche
people.

On April 28th 2006 Mapuche International Link relayed a letter addressed
to the Chilean President expressing their deep concern for the health and
wellbeing of the Mapuche hunger strikers. The statement reads, "The
Chilean judicial system does not allow Mapuches guarantee of a fair
trial." In addition it states that:

"Today in the Chilean democracy there are Mapuche seeking political
asylum, fugitives from justice whilst others have renounced their Chilean
nationality - and as a consequence today 4 Mapuche leaders are on a hunger
strike that has already lasted 47 days."

Another statement sent by a Mapuche organisation from Argentina reads:

"Please do not let them die; on Friday the 28th of April demonstrate to
the Chilean government that we are not indifferent to the injustices being
committed and that there are no borders which could prevent solidarity. We
convey a 24-hour vigil for the 'guardians of the land', to maintain alive
the flame of hope and dreams everywhere. Their physical resistance becomes
weaker with the passing of each day but their spiritual strength and their
resolve grows steadily stronger." Argentinian Mapuches are currently
occupying the Chilean consulate in Barriloche and demanding freedom for
the prisoners.

The prisoners are considering giving up liquids completely and going on a
"dry" hunger strike. There doctor, Juan Carlos Reinao Marilao, says they
will die within six days if they give up liquids.

For further information contact:

Mapuche International Link
e-mail: mapulink at mapuche-nation.org
Tel: 011 7 927 2391
http://www.mapuche-nation.org
http://www.mapuche-nation.org/english/news.htm GO TO THIS LINK AND SIGN
THE ONLINE PETITION!



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