Ecobreves – CHILE: Indians Fight Garbage Dumps

By - - and IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

SANTIAGO, Sep 16 2006 (IPS) - A dozen representatives of indigenous Mapuche communities in Chile's Araucanía region charged that they are the target of racism and discrimination by the authorities who set up 19 garbage dumps less than one kilometer from their homes. The Mapuche Indians say the foul odors and the smoke from burning garbage has caused respiratory problems. Furthermore, the dumps have attracted packs of dogs, and led to the appearance of larvae in livestock, particularly hogs, that causes trichynosis in humans.

The Mapuche leaders gathered in the city of Temuco to draw up strategies for getting rid of the dumps.

Alejandra Parra, of the non-governmental Action Network for Environmental Rights, told Tierramérica that a prompt solution is unlikely, which is why they will file a complaint of racism before an international organization, yet to be determined.