Hunger Strike Mapuches Demand Negotiations With Government

Monday, 30 August 2010

Physical problems reported Thirty-two imprisoned Mapuche activists reached the 50th day of their hunger strike over the weekend. The Mapuches were jailed for acts of violence under an anti-terrorism law created during the regime of dictator Augusto Pinochet.      The majority are members of CAM (Arauco Malleco Co-ordination), an organization formed in 1998 known for its ongoing attempts to recover Mapuche territory. The activists are held in prisons in Concepción, Temuco, Canete, Lebu, Angol and Valdivia. Some of the prisoners now suffer physical problems. Dr. Nelson Reyes told Radio Co-operativa that several Angol prisoners have colds and pharyngitis, an inflammation of the throat. Prisoners Haiquilaf Cadín Calfunao and Elvis Millán were recently transported to hospitals in Angol and Temuco for urgent medical exams. Both were reported suffering from heart problems. Following treatment they were returned to prison. Rodrigo Curapil, spokesperson for the families of the activists, has asked for negotiations with government officials to bring about a solution to the conflict.  The prisoners have lost between eight and 12 kilograms. On Friday, Amnesty International asked the Chilean government what it was doing about the crisis. The letter, signed by AI’s secretary general, Salil Shetty, said, “This is an occasion that demands that the government takes action in line with its obligation for human rights.”