Headlines, Human Rights, Latin America & the Caribbean

CHILE: Skinhead Violence on Both Sides

Daniela Estrada

SANTIAGO, Jul 25 2006 (IPS) - A homeless person on the downtown streets of the Chilean capital has become the latest target of local neo-Nazi rage. The extremist movement recently lost a member, killed by an anti-fascist group amidst a context of violence and intolerance that has spiralled alarmingly.

José Pizarro, better known in the area as Divino Anticristo, has received neo-Nazi death threats simply because he sleeps wherever he can find a place and dresses as a woman. Meanwhile, the Nazi followers themselves have been violently attacked by groups of youths who claim to be ideological opposites, but differ little in attitude. Both the neo-Nazis and anti-fascists call themselves skinheads, but while the former glorify Adolph Hitler, the latter condemn him.

The members of both groups are generically clad in aviator jackets, skin-tight jeans and black boots. The only thing that differentiates them is the Chilean flag and swastika on the right sleeve of the neo-Nazi jackets.

Close to 200 people chanted “Sieg heil, heil Hitler” and “viva Chile, viva Mauricio” (long live Chile, long live Mauricio) at the funeral of Mauricio Egaña, 30, the neo-Nazi member killed Jun. 25 by seven youths between the ages of 16 and 23.

His attackers belong to the anti-fascist “16 de Abril” gang based in the Conchalí neighbourhood – one of Santiago’s poorest areas. The name was chosen in honour of Tomás Vilches, an 18-year-old member of the punk movement killed by neo-Nazis on Apr. 16.

Vilches’ death led to the discharge of two non-commissioned army officers who allegedly had links to the attackers, although no criminal charges were brought against them.

At Egaña’s funeral, TV cameras recorded dozens of people who self-identify as Nazis, standing with their right arms raised and singing the national anthem – including the second verse that extols the country’s army, reincorporated during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990) and eliminated when the country returned to democracy.

The previous week, two neo-Nazis gave an interview to a news journalist at a private station, in which they declared their hatred of punks, boasted of their military training and showed off the weapons they regularly carry.

Their enmity extends also to Jews, sexual minorities, communists, criminals and immigrants (particularly Peruvians and Bolivians) who, according to these extremists, are “blights on society” and “scum” and must be “exterminated.” Neo-Nazis are becoming more and more notorious for conducting “sweeps” in their quest to eliminate these social groups.

Daniel, a 24-year-old gay man, had the misfortune to run afoul of zealots last month as he left a downtown Santiago gay nightclub in the pre-dawn hours. He told IPS that eight Hitler followers beat him on the head, breaking his nose, knocking out a tooth, and destroying his lip.

He was with his friend Paulina, a young punk rocker, who was not attacked at that time; she has, however, been threatened by other neo-Nazi groups near her home.

The pair, who haven’t yet risked going out again at night, reported the incident to the police, hoping to receive some kind of compensation to help pay for the large medical bills.

Neo-Nazis even attacked high school students who in May occupied their schools and held street protests to demand better education standards.

After Egaña’s murder, the Chilean government came out strongly against skinhead groups, saying it would crack down on both neo-Nazis and anti-fascists, who would be “punished severely” for their crimes.

Antonio Leal, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, announced he would ask the government to give top priority to an anti-discrimination bill now in the Senate, which will stiffen the penalties for those who commit ideological, racist, xenophobic or homophobic crimes.

Because of his opposition to these groups, Deputy Leal has received several death threats, as have renowned political and entertainment figures such as TV host Mario Kreutzberger, also known as Don Francisco, and his daughter and colleague Vivi. Former deputy and current secretary-general of the rightwing National Renovation Party, Lily Pérez, and TV host Mauricio Israel have also received threats. All are of Jewish descent.

“Last April we established a working group with Jewish youth, the Association of Immigrants for Latin American and Caribbean Integration (APILA), the Association of Families of Psychiatric Patients and the ‘16 de Abril’ collective to combat neo-Nazi activity,” Rolando Jiménez, president of the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation (MOVILH), one of Chile’s leading gay rights organisations, told IPS.

But MOVILH has decided to distance itself from the antifascist “16 de Abril” group and its ambiguous stand on violence, focussing instead on getting legislation passed, such as the anti-discrimination law, and promoting the incorporation of hate crimes in the Chilean Penal Code.

“In the wake of several deaths, on both sides, the authorities have recognised the danger posed by these groups. But we believe President Michelle Bachelet needs to make a strong statement on the issue, and speed up the legislative process,” said Jiménez.

According to Leal, the way to stem the tide of these groups is to prosecute them under the illicit association law, which makes gathering under violent principles a crime. Also, interventions at the elementary school level should be implemented to reduce the groups’ future membership, he said.

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre, an international centre for Holocaust remembrance and the defence of human rights and the Jewish people, monitors 6,000 web sites dedicated to Nazism, to which Chilean followers have access through secret passwords and codes.