'Chile: Mapuche People 48th day of Hunger Strike'

Since Monday March 13, 2006, Patricia Troncoso, Patricio Marileo Saravia, Jaime Marileo Saravia and Juan Carlos Huenulao Lienmil, Mapuche political prisoners and confined in Angol prison (South of Chile) have been on hunger strike with the objective of achieving a review of the judgement under which they were sentenced to 10 years and one day plus the payment of US $791,000 (423 million Chilean pesos) in compensation to the multinational “Miminco” forestry (logging) company.They, together with seven others, were charged with "terrorist fire" (Incendio Terrorista) under the 18.314 1984 Act.

The Mapuche people's struggle has been going on for over 500 years. Throughout this time they have endured dispossession, discrimination, oppression & genocide.

Many of these atrocities have their roots in the expropriation of ancestral indigenous lands, initially by Spanish invaders, later by forestry multinational plantation companies, large land owners and the Chilean State; please support the Mapuche people in their struggle.

Please find time to take action to support Chile's Indigenous people.

What can you do? send letters, faxes and/or e-mails to the Chilean authorities and international human rights organisations.If you are interested in make interviews, get more information or get involved in supporting this campaign please call 9481 2273 or 0402 754818, thanks.

In Solidarity

Chilean Popular & indigenous Network
chilenet (at) bigpond.com
redchilena (at) bigpond.com

We suggest writing letters to the Chilean embassy and consulates in your country.

To find out the contact details for the Chilean Embassies in you country visit:  http://www.minrel.cl/pages/misiones/index.html

To send letters to the Chilean Embassy in Australia please addressed it to:

To Her Excellency
Michelle Bachellet Jeria
President of the Republic of Chile
Palacio del La Moneda, Santiago, Chile
PH: (+562) 690 40 20; Fax: (+562) 699 03 94

Chilean Embassy and Consulates in Australia:

Embassy of Chile in Australia
Ambassador Mr. Fernando Schmidt
P.O. BOX 69

RED HILL
ACT 2603
PH: (61-2) 6286 2430, fax: (61-2) 6286 1289
E-mail: chilemb (at) embachile-australia.com
Consulate General of Chile in Melbourne
Mr. Ignacio Concha
Level 13, 390 St Kilda Road
Melbourne 3004
PH: 9866 4041
E-mail: cgmelbourne (at) chile.com.au

Consulate General of Chile in Sydney
18th floor, AXA centre
44 Market Street
Sydney NSW 2000
PH: (61-2) 9299 2533
Fax: (61-2) 9299 2868
E-mail: cgsydney (at) rivernet.com.au

Chilean and International Organisations write to:
Permanent Mission of before the United Nations in Geneva:
58, Rue de Moillebeau 1211,
Geneva, Postal Code 332.
Fax:+4122.734.52.97
Ph: +4122.919.88.00
E-mail: mission.chile (at) ties.itu.int

Michelle Bachelet Jeria,
President of the Republic of Chile ,
Palacio de La Moneda, Santiago, Chile.
Ph: (+562) 690 40 20;
Fax: (+562) 699 03 94

Online suggestions:
 http://www.gobierno.cl/contacto/contacto.asp

 http://www.presidencia.cl/ -

ISIDRO SOLÍS PALMA,
Minister of Justice
Morandé 107, Santiago
Casilla 21, Santiago,
Ph: (+562) 674 31 00;
Fax: (+562) 698 70 98
E-mail: minju (at) reuna.cl
Electronic mailbox for claims:  http://www.minjusticia.cl/oirs/contacto.php

ALEJANDRO FOXLEY RIOSECO,
Foreign Affairs Ministry
Catedral 1158, Santiago,
Tel: (+562) 679 42 00
E -mail: minrel (at) minrel.cl , mingab (at) minrel.gov.cl
Electronic mailbox for claims:
 http://www.minrel.gov.cl/webMinRel/contactenos.do

ANDRÉS ZALDIVAR LARRAIN,
Interior Minister:
Palacio de la Moneda
Santiago, Chile.
PH:(+562) 690 40 00 –
DON ENRIQUE EDMUNDO TAPIA WITTING,
President of the Supreme Court of Justice:
COMPAÑIA Nº 1140
2º PISO. Santiago.
Tel: (562) 873-5000
E-mail: cortesuprema (at) poderjudicial.cl

With a copy to :
Mr.. RODOLFO STAVENHAGEN,
Special relater about the situation of human rights and fundamental liberties of indigenous people:

Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for Human Rights,

OHCHR,
United Nations,
1211 Geneva 10, 10,
E-mail: pespiniella (at) ohchr.org - indigenous (at) ohchr.org
Ph: +41 (0) 22- 9179413
Fax: +41 (0) 22 9179008

Mr. PEDRO VERA, Official of Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:

UNOG-OHCHR, CH-1211 Geneva 10, 10,
E-mail: pvera-pineda (at) ohchr.org
Ph: +41 (0) 22-9179013
Fax: +41 (0) 22-9179013