Documento - CHILE. Temor por la seguridad

PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 22/012/2004

19 October 2004

Further Information on UA 247/04 (AMR 22/008/2004, 12 August 2004) Fear for safety

CHILE Juana Calfunao Paillalef (f), indigenous community leader and human rights defender

Antonio Cadin Huentelao (m), her husband

Their family

Juana Calfunao Pailllaef and her family have suffered further death threats, some from a government official, despite the fact that the Regional Public Prosecutor (Fiscal Regional) has reportedly begun an investigation into the apparent arson attack of 26 June that destroyed their home and killed Juana's uncle, Basilio Coñoenao.

On 26 September, an official from the National Commission for Indigenous Development (Corporación Nacional de Desarrollo Indígena, CONADI) threatened Juana Calfunao Paillalef and her 17-year-old daughter, Carolina, saying, “Do you want me to burn you alive?” and “I’m going to get my gun to kill you” (“quieres que te queme viva ahora”, “voy a buscar el arma para matarlos”). Later that day several shots were fired at the makeshift dwelling where she and her family have been living since the alleged arson attack. They filed a complaint the next day at the Los Laureles Carabineros police station (reten).

On at least two occasions in August, a vehicle stopped outside her property after midnight, shining its headlights on the makeshift dwelling.

Amnesty International raised its concerns regarding the safety of Juana Calfunao Paillalef and her family in an open letter to the Chilean regional and national authorities on 20 August 2004 (AI Index: AMR 22/04/2004). The authorities have not yet replied. Juana Calfunao Paillalef herself has made repeated complaints about the intimidation and threats directed against her family and community. In May 2000 she was beaten by Carabineros officers, causing her to suffer a miscarriage.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish (if fluent), English or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Juana Calfunao Paillalef and her family, who were recently threatened by a CONADI official;

- calling for a prompt, impartial and conclusive investigation into this and the other intimidation the family have suffered;

- asking for details of the investigation that is said to have been initiated into the alleged arson attack on their home on 26 June, and the death of Basilio Coñoenao, and asking for the findings of this investigation to be made public and those responsible to be brought to justice;

- urging the authorities to provide Juana Calfunao Paillalef and her family with adequate protection;

- asking for information on the progress of the investigation into the torture suffered by Juana Calfunao Paillalef in May 2000 which led to the loss of her unborn baby.

APPEALS TO:

Regional Governor, IX Region

Sr. Intendente IX Región

Intendencia Región Araucania

Sr. Ricardo Patricio Celis Araya

Bulnes 590 piso 2, Temuco, Chile

Fax: +56 45 208217

Salutation: Sr. Intendente / Dear Sir

Minister of Justice

Sr. Ministro de Justicia

Sr. Luis Bates

Ministerio de Justicia

Morandé 107, Santiago, Chile

Fax: +56 2 695 4558

Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Presidential Advisor (including indigenous affairs)

Asesor de Gestión de la Presidencia

Sr. Domingo Namuncura

Palacio de la Moneda, Santiago, Chile

Fax: +56 2 6984656

Salutation: Estimado Señor / Dear Sir

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sr. Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores

Sr. Ignacio Walker

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

Catedral 1158, Piso 3, Santiago, Chile

Fax: +56 2 696 8796

Salutation: Sr. Ministro / Dear Minister

and to diplomatic representatives of Chile accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 November 2004.