May 29, 2012

The Mapuche-Chile Dialogue Takes a Step Forward


Jorge Hueque (Mapuche representative), UNPO and Members of the European Parliament have joined together in a discussion on the current situation facing the Mapuche and future EU-Chile cooperation. These meetings came as a response to the growing awareness among the MEPs of human rights violations in Chile and the deteriorating environmental situation provoked by the construction of power plants in the Region of Los Ríos.

 

Below is a press release of the Jorge Hueque's visit to the European Parliament:

 

THE MAPUCHE-CHILE DIALOGUE TAKES A STEP FORWARD

Brussels, 10-11 May 2012


Jorge Hueque’s visit consolidates existing support for the Mapuche people in the European Parliament. The discussions focused on the hydropower projects in the Region of Panguipulli (Chile) by ENEL/ Endesa, the human rights violations and the possible meeting between the Mapuche representatives, the State of Chile and the EU at the next CELAC Summit in Santiago January 2013.

Last week meetings come after the Second Mapuche Conference in the European Parliament entitled “Economically Empowering Indigenous Communities: The Case of the Mapuche”, convened by Ana Miranda MEP and aiming  to provide a constructive discussion on ways to economically empower the Mapuche in Chile while preserving their culture, identity and sustainable relation to their land.

Among those Jorge met are László Surján MEP, Charles Tannock MEP, Ana Miranda MEP, António Fernando Correia De Campos MEP, and Gaby Küppers Advisor.  László Surján MEP and Charles Tannock MEP focused the discussion on the importance of the visibility of the Mapuche problems in international media and the need for internal political support that will help finding better solutions for the current issues. “According to the International Law the EU has no right of intervention in internal matters”, they stated. Ana Miranda MEP and António Fernando Correia De Campos MEP pointed out the need for a permanent voice and visibility among European parliamentarians. A potential meeting between the Mapuche delegation and the EU at the CELAC Summit next year would facilitate the Mapuche-Chile dialogue and would bring awareness of the Mapuche’s problems to the international level.

 

For more information on "Economically Empowering Indigenous Communities: The Case of the Mapuche", click here.

 

 

For media queries please contact:

Andrew Swan (English)  I  +32 (0)472 577 518   I  [email protected]