Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) – After 82 days of fasting, the Mapuche detainees in the prisons of Concepción, Temuco, Lebu have decided to put an end to their hunger strike on the evening of Friday, October 1, after reaching an agreement with the government in a process of facilitated dialogue promoted by the Church Catholic. The news was announced by the Archbishop of Concepción, Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati, together with the representative of the indigenous peoples, Natividad Llanquileo, and the Under-Secretary of the President, Claudio Alvarado. The news was sent to Fides by the Chilean Bishops' Conference.
The "Mapuche" are a group of indigenous people belonging to a movement that claims the political and territorial rights of the Mapuche communities. They are in prison for a series of violent acts ranging from fire arson to attempted murder. They have taken up their hunger strike to protest their being judged according to the anti-terrorist law as requested by dictator Augusto Pinochet and the elimination of a "double process" (military and civilian) on the case, which also involves the military. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2010)
