Dear President of Chile Gabriel Boric,

From San Francisco, CA we bring to light the plight of 15 Mapuche Political Prisoners (MPP) in Chile who have resorted to a hunger strike as a desperate plea for justice. Among them are Ernesto Llaitul, Esteban Henríquez, Ricardo Delgado Reinao, and Nicolás Alcamán who have been sentenced to 15 years in prison by regional courts without a fair judicial process. 

On November 13, 2023, four political prisoners held in the Concepción prison began their hunger strike: Ernesto Llaitul, Ricardo Delgado, Nicolás Villouta and Esteban Henríquez, who were sentenced to 15 years in prison for arson attacks on forestry company trucks, despite the case bringing forth ZERO EVIDENCE and within a judicial process full of defects and lacking procedural guarantees. A month later, 11 Mapuche community members joined this action from the prisons of Temuco and Concepción, among whom is Héctor Llaitul Carrillanca, historical spokesperson for the CAM. The other prisoners on hunger strike are: Daniel Canio, Pelentaro Llaitul, Juan Carlos Mardones, Jorge Caniupil, Luis Menares Chanilao, Bastian Llaitul, Oscar Cañupan, Roberto Garling, José Lienqueo and Axel Campos.

As of today, Feb. 15, 2024 four hunger strikers have been urgently transferred to hospital due to deteriorating health conditions. Meanwhile, the hunger strike continues and the dire state of health of these indigenous Mapuche earth protectors continues to worsen. Only you, Mr. President, have the power to annul their cases and provide them a fair trial in the Chilean Supreme court.

The Mapuche people have long faced discrimination and marginalization in Chile, with their political activists often subjected to harsh treatment under the anti-terrorism law. This issue is not just about these 15 individuals; it's about the systemic injustice faced by indigenous communities worldwide for protecting the forests, the rivers, the environment from extractivism. In the case of these indigenous political prisoners in Chile, the culprit are forestry companies that are using violent measures to take their ancestral lands, their culture and way of life. 

International law ILO Convention 169, which was ratified by Chile in September 2008, recognizes Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination within a nation-state, while setting standards for national governments regarding Indigenous peoples' economic, socio-cultural and political rights, including the right to a land base. We call upon all members of the Government of Chile to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY to ensure these imprisoned indigenous political prisoners receive a fair trial that respects their human rights. 

Stand with us and be ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY as we demand justice for these Mapuche political prisoners – sign this petition today!