Indigenous Communities Accuse Chilean Judiciary of ‘Institutional Racism’ as Lonko Faces Double Prosecution

The family of Lonko Guillermo Ñirripil Cheuquepan, along with representatives from 21 communities in Lautaro, Curacautín, Victoria, Lonquimay, and Perquenco, have expressed deep concern over what they describe as a renewed assault by the Chilean judicial system against their traditional authority. This situation comes as he is set to face a second oral trial on July 1 in Temuco, while currently serving a five-year and one-day sentence.

«The ancestral Mapuche authority, Lonko Guillermo Ñirripil Cheuquepan, who has been imprisoned for three years in Temuco, is facing a new trial that his supporters label as racist and lacking the due judicial process. The accusations center on alleged extortion, which his defense has dismissed,» reported HispanTV through correspondent Manuel Arismendi.

Watch the report from HispanTV

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In a press conference held this Thursday at the ANEF headquarters in Temuco, spokespersons Valeria Ñirripil Lincopi, representing the family, and Margarita Paine, as community spokesperson, joined by territorial leaders, provided evidence that they believe demonstrates legal inconsistencies in the latest charges.

HispanTV highlighted from the conference: «According to Lonko Ñirripil’s support circle, there is a political, ideological, and racist interest behind the accusations against him, asserting that the accusers aim, with ill intent, to distort a land purchase into a false and fabricated extortion claim.»

Valeria Ñirripil criticized the redundancy of the process, stating that the current accusation includes the same elements as the previous conviction, reinforcing the theory of political persecution rather than a pursuit of justice. The spokespeople questioned why this accusation was not made earlier, suggesting it was delayed until now, at a time when the Lonko could be eligible for alternative prison benefits or even parole due to his time served. They posit that the prosecution aims to extend his imprisonment.

A central point of the complaint relates to the prosecutor handling the case, whom they directly link to irregular cases and fabrications: «Prosecutor Enrique Vázquez, whose name has been associated with cases such as the ‘Hurricane Case’ and the Hermosilla case, insists on this persecution. This adds a political connotation and a racist trajectory, aiming for a symbolic conviction that ignores the context of territorial dialogue and the promises made, which are pillars of our culture,» stated the spokesperson, warning that they seek a symbolic sentence to intimidate communities claiming their territorial rights.

The communities warned that the extortion accusation is largely based on the claims of certain businesspeople who own large estates, without considering prior agreements and voluntary discussions held between forest landowners and community leaders. According to the joint statement, ignoring these dialogues constitutes a violation of due process, an abuse to delegitimize promised words, and criminalize the territorial processes of the communities.

Another significant issue raised by the spokespeople is Lonko’s prison situation. The communities asserted that, in addition to his sentence, there is a structural violation of his spirituality, identity, and territorial bond due to the lack of cultural appropriateness within the prison system, which contravenes the standards of ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

«As family and communities, we are extending this information to the United Nations Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, requesting intervention from the Chilean state because we are convinced that this is a case of persecution and legal aberration,» said Ñirripil Lincopi.

Meanwhile, spokesperson Margarita Paine stated: «We denounce that the land purchase system governed by CONADI, regulated by Indigenous Law, forces Mapuche authorities to negotiate directly with landowners and businessmen, placing them at risk of extortion claims.»

Finally, both the family and the communities affiliated with the Lonko made an urgent appeal to human rights organizations, public authorities, and the general public to pay attention and emphasize this case. They called on everyone to «provide strength and support» during this second trial, which they describe as «unjust and redundant,» in the face of what they consider a blatant example of judicial racism in the country.

Listen to or download the audio of the conference

http://www.isuma.tv/node/183216

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