A Chilean senator, Juan Pablo Letelier, stated in the Chilean parliament that the government of President Sebastien Pinera has forgotten to respect international laws on human rights in its dealings with the Indigenous people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
His comment follows a violent confrontation last week between Chilean special forces and the Rapa Nui community who was occupying premises they say were built on land taken from them in the 19th century.
Dozens of people were injured when the authorities used rubber bullets on the occupiers.
Juan Pablo Letelier says what he describes as police brutality could have been avoided. “The government’s reaction in my opinion has not been satisfactory thinking what the interests are of the Rapa Nui community and what the permanent interests are of Chile to be a respectful nation of indigenous people’s rights.”
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