By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
EASTER ISLAND, Chile—Indigenous residents of Easter Island have suffered violence at the hands of Chilean authorities who are attempting to drive them out of government buildings they began inhabiting three months ago. The indigenous individuals, or Rapanui, claim that Chilean officials stole those buildings from their ancestors. The authorities have been tear-gassing and shooting rubber bullets and buckshot at indigenous individuals, and at least 24 have been injured. Leviante Araki, president of the Rapa Nui Parliament, suffered two shots and had to be flown to Santiago for medical attention.
The Rapanui have been occupying several buildings such as the Hangaroa Hotel and government offices. Chilean forces, acting on a court order, have stormed the buildings and subdued the occupants by force before arresting them.
According to the website Saverapanui.org, “When the Rapanui gathered to protest this action, Chilean Special Forces started firing their guns and using tear gas. The Rapanui responded by throwing rocks. [The Forces] are hunting for individuals who have been involved with the reoccupation and those they are targeting who have helped share the story with the international press.”
On Saturday, Chile sent a plane to the island to evict the indigenous people. Filmmaker Santi Hitorangi, who was wounded in a clash on Friday, reported that the indigenous residents have not complied, saying, “The arrival of the C-130 cargo plane with more police and armed swat teams adds to the psychological duress that’s happening here. ” He alleged that Chile is trying to “stop any attempt of the Rapanui people to reassert their right to the land. All we’re asking for is title to the land. It’s a rightful claim.” He added: “Many including women were shot in their faces, in their heads.”
Chile’s government has been unsympathetic. Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter called the acts of the indigenous individuals “illegal takeovers that cause damage to the island,” and said: “The police forces acted in compliance with a court order. That’s how institutions function, and we all must follow them.”
Easter Island is located about 7000 kilometers east of New Zealand and was annexed by Chile in 1888. Each year, approximately 50,000 tourists visit the island, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site and famous for its monolithic sculptures.
There is concern among indigenous people that Chile is not properly regulating immigration to the island, which is incapable of sustaining such a population influx. Indigenous individuals make up 2200 of the 5000 residents of Easter Island. Some Rapanui have expressed fear that indigenous residents of the island could be wiped out by such practices.
For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand-Rapa Nui activists fear uncertainty as Chilean troops remain on island-6 December 2010
Stuff-24 injured in Easter Island land protests-6 December 2010
Epoch Times-Easter Island Clashes Leaves Two Dozen Injured-6 December 2010
Press Association-Evictions continue on Easter Island-5 December 2010
