Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/607/8700
From The Socialist newspaper, 13 January 2010
Chile - Freedom for Elena Varela
THE WELL known left-wing Chilean documentary maker and journalist, Elena Varela, has been accused of "terrorism" by the Chilean authorities and risks 15 years in prison having stood up for the rights of indigenous Mapuche people.
Elena Varela made a film documentary on the struggle and conditions of the Mapuche people in Chile. In an attempt by the Chilean authorities to prevent her continuing her work, she was arrested last year and spent three months in prison. She is now accused of "terrorism" and her trial began on 8 January.
While all the main candidates in the recent Chilean elections supported a law guaranteeing constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples' rights in words; in deeds, the abuse and repression against the Mapuche people continues, with the tacit approval of the establishment.
Elena Varela has become a symbol of resistance to the repression against those attempting to denounce the discriminatory policies against the Mapuche people. The Socialist Party supports the struggle of Elena Varela and the struggle of the Mapuche people against the brutal and repressive policies of the Chilean state. We demand an immediate end to this fake judicial process.
Please send protest letters to contact@msgg.gov.cl , and send copies to srcitchile@gmail.com and to tanja.niemeier@europarl.europa.eu
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In The Socialist 13 January 2010:
Decent jobs - not slave labour
Protest against bankers' bonuses
Leeds City Council Future Jobs Fund is no solution
Trade Unionists and Socialist Coalition
Launch of Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Socialist Party news and analysis
Labour's leadership crisis - time for a new workers' party
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Iceland debt crisis: Make the 'dirt bags' pay!
No to County Council cuts in Warwickshire!
Northern Ireland
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Socialist Party workplace news
Fujitsu workers say: "Enough is enough"
Buses - privatisation means worse services
Unison Witchhunt
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Workplace Feature
Call centres: Union campaign makes important gains
Socialist Party international feature
Greece - on the edge of a volcano
International socialist news and analysis
Sri Lanka presidential elections: No to the two warmongers!
Israel: Instability, class polarisation and socialism
Chile - Freedom for Elena Varela
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