Judge orders eviction from their traditional territories by Friday, Sep.
20th, 1996
Three judges of the Tribunal Oral Federal from the state of Neuquen in the
traditionally Mapuche region of Pulmari have decided to evict the Mapuche
people from their ancestral land, and have given support to "La
Corporacion Pulmari" (CIP), who wants to exploit the area for business
interests.
The Tribunal talked about the "need to evacuate the Pulmari land to defend
the social peace," accusing the Mapuche of being usurpers. Without any
justification Placido Caitruz and Roberto Nancucheo along with the "chiefs"
Antonio Salazar and Desiderio Calfinahuel have been thrown in jail.
It is known throughout the world that the Pulmari region in the state of
Neuquen, in what is now Argentina, has been inhabited by an Original People
called Mapuche. This territory has been reduced to the miniscule amount of
land they now occupy. The decision of the the Tribunal has caused great
concern and uncertainty about the future among the Mapuche families.
Many social sectors have supported the Mapuche in their demands, among them
Nobel Peace Prize recipient Perez Esquivel. The Mapuche of Pulmari urge the
international community to please fax letters of support to the judge in
charge of this case.
A sample letter follows:
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Juzgado Federal Zapala
Sr. Juez Federal Ruben Caro
Argentina
FAX 0942 23001
Dear Sir:
I understand that you are in charge of the Mapuche case concerning their
territorial land of Pulmari. It is known throughout the world, that this
region of the country that today belongs to Argentina, was inhabited by an
Original People called Mapuche. I express my deepest concern before the
ongoing reduction of their land.
It is necessary that this land continue to belong to the Mapuches. I urge
you to please respect the Mapuche traditional lands and not evict the
Mapuche people from their ancestral land.
I also strongly object to the imprisonment of Antonio Salazar, Desiderio
Calfinahuel, Placido Caitruz and Roberto Nancucheo under charges of land
seizure and urge you to please release them immediately.
Sincerely
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South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
P.O. Box 28703
Oakland CA, 94604
Phone: (510)834-4263 Fax: (510)834-4264
Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
Office: 1714 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland
Home Page: http://www.igc.apc.org/saiic/saiic.html
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