Ecobreves – CHILE: Mapuches Denounce Government at the UN

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SANTIAGO, Sep 22 2007 (IPS) - The Chilean government should turn in the report about the denunciation presented by ecologists and Mapuche Indians of the central region of Araucanía “if it wants to hold a post in 2008 on the UN Human Rights Council.” That is what Alejandra Parra, of the Action Network for Environmental Rights, told Tierramérica.

The groups and communities filed a complaint in January about racism and socio-environmental discrimination based on the construction of 18 garbage dumps and sewage treatment plants on their lands or within one kilometer.

The Mapuches want the Chilean government to comply with its obligation to send that report before Nov. 30, requested by the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.