| Ben Emmerson, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, called on the Chilean government to stop using an anti-terrorism law against members of the Mapuche Tribe.
Police have used the law to discriminate against tribal members, Emmerson said on Tuesday after visit to Mapuche territory. He urged the creation of an independent commission to investigate allegations of violence by law enforcement.
“The anti-terrorism law has been used in a manner that discriminates against the Mapuche,” Emmerson said in a press release.
“It has been applied in a confused and arbitrary fashion that has resulted in real injustice, has undermined the right to a fair trial, and has been perceived as stigmatising and de-legitimising the Mapuche land claims and protests.
Emmerson said the government hasn't done enough to address land and self-determination issues.
The Mapuche were promised their land by treaty.
Get the Story: UN official says Chile should stop using anti-terrorism law against Mapuche in land dispute (AP 7/30) Related Stories: Mapuche people in Chile seek control over their homelands (05/31) Tensions growing after fatal arson blamed on Mapuche activists (01/08) |