Trade Unionists, MPs & Human Rights Campaigners
Marlene Obeid | 09.05.2006 23:46 | Analysis | Repression | Social Struggles | London | World
The hunger strike has been undertaken in order to compel the Chilean Government and international community to review the judgement that has seen them unfairly sentenced to 10 years and one day of imprisonment, and to pay US$791, 000 in compensation, to Mininco, a multinational forestry and logging company.
Mapuche rights
Delegation to demand Mapuche rights - Sydney
Trade Unionists, MPs & Human Rights Campaigners Demand an End to Indigenous Political Imprisonment
AUSTRALIA: SYDNEY: A delegation of trade unionists, human rights and anti-war campaigners, together with Greens MLC Sylvia Hale, met today with the Consul General of Chile, Mr Eduardo Ruiz, to demand immediate negotiations with Mapuche hunger strikers now on their 56th day without food.
Since Monday, March 13, 2006, four Mapuche Political Prisoners have been on a hunger strike in the Chilean prison of Angol.
The hunger strike has been undertaken in order to compel the Chilean Government and international community to review the judgement that has seen them unfairly sentenced to 10 years and one day of imprisonment, and to pay US$791, 000 in compensation, to Mininco, a multinational forestry and logging company.
The delegation handed a letter addressed Chile’s President, Michelle Bachelet, and demanded immediate action to the prisoners demands, and an end to the Anti-Terrorism Law 18,314 of 1984.
This Anti-Terrorism Law was introduced by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and is being applied to charge and try Mapuches campaigning for land and political rights.
Mr Tony Papa representing the CFMEU said: “Trade unionists supported Chilean pro-democratic groups in the 70s and 80s and worked ardously to restore democracy in Chile.
“It is incomprehensible that laws dating back to the dictatorship are still being used to imprison the peoples of Chile,” Mr Papa added.
The delegation also informed Mr Ruiz that a formal request is being made to States and the Federal Australian Governments to take up this case urgently with the Chilean Government.
For more information contact Marlene Obeid on 0401 758 871,
Mr Tony Papa (CFMEU)
on 0419 843 056 or Gonzalo Parra on 0415 726 951
AUSTRALIA: SYDNEY: A delegation of trade unionists, human rights and anti-war campaigners, together with Greens MLC Sylvia Hale, met today with the Consul General of Chile, Mr Eduardo Ruiz, to demand immediate negotiations with Mapuche hunger strikers now on their 56th day without food.
Since Monday, March 13, 2006, four Mapuche Political Prisoners have been on a hunger strike in the Chilean prison of Angol.
The hunger strike has been undertaken in order to compel the Chilean Government and international community to review the judgement that has seen them unfairly sentenced to 10 years and one day of imprisonment, and to pay US$791, 000 in compensation, to Mininco, a multinational forestry and logging company.
The delegation handed a letter addressed Chile’s President, Michelle Bachelet, and demanded immediate action to the prisoners demands, and an end to the Anti-Terrorism Law 18,314 of 1984.
This Anti-Terrorism Law was introduced by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and is being applied to charge and try Mapuches campaigning for land and political rights.
Mr Tony Papa representing the CFMEU said: “Trade unionists supported Chilean pro-democratic groups in the 70s and 80s and worked ardously to restore democracy in Chile.
“It is incomprehensible that laws dating back to the dictatorship are still being used to imprison the peoples of Chile,” Mr Papa added.
The delegation also informed Mr Ruiz that a formal request is being made to States and the Federal Australian Governments to take up this case urgently with the Chilean Government.
For more information contact Marlene Obeid on 0401 758 871,
Mr Tony Papa (CFMEU)
on 0419 843 056 or Gonzalo Parra on 0415 726 951
Marlene Obeid