IACHR condemns Chile for use of antiterrorist legislation against the Mapuche
Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
Publication Date | 9 September 2014 |
Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, IACHR condemns Chile for use of antiterrorist legislation against the Mapuche, 9 September 2014, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/54256bafe.html [accessed 11 January 2017] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
9 September 2014
In a landmark decision on the 29th of July, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights recognized the human rights violations suffered by the Mapuche, finally acknowledging the illegality of criminalizing communities protecting ancestral land. In the wake of expanding forestry projects, Chile systematically stripped the Mapuche of their territories, quelling protests with a discriminatorily applied anti-terrorist act and lengthy prison sentences.
FIDH represented a number of Mapuche convicted under this anti-terrorism legislation ruled by the Court to violate the principle of legality and the right to the presumption of innocence.
This ruling will set a precedent for similar cases falling under the jurisdiction of the IACHR.
Last Update 9 September