Inter-American panel to hear Rapa Nui land claim

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[6]The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR [7]) agreed to hear a complaint against the state of Chile brought by the Rapa Nui indigenous people of Easter Island [8], demanding recovery of their ancestral lands. The complaint accuses Chile of numerous violations of the American Convention on Human Rights [9], citing Article 4 on the right to life, Article 12 on freedom of conscience and religion, Article 21 on property rights, and Article 25 on judicial protection. More than 70% of traditional Rapa Nui lands are now classified as "state lands," from which the island's indigenous inhabitants are effectively excluded—causing "irremediable damage" to their way of life and autonomy. The complaint charges that this constitutes a violation of the 1888 Acuerdo de Voluntades [10] (Consent Agreement), under which the Rapa Nui accepted Chilean sovereignty. (Photo: DebatesIndigenas [11])

rapa2.jpg [12]

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR [7]) on Aug. 23 agreed to hear a complaint against the state of Chile brought by the Rapa Nui indigenous people of Easter Island [8], demanding recovery of their ancestral lands. The complaint accuses Chile of numerous violations of the American Convention on Human Rights [13], especially citing Article 4 on the right to life, Article 12 on freedom of conscience and religion, Article 21 on property rights, and Article 25 on judicial protection. More than 70% of traditional Rapa Nui lands are now classified as "state lands," from which the island's indigenous inhabitants are effectively excluded—causing "irremediable damage" to their way of life and autonomy. The complaint charges that this constitutes a violation of the 1888 Acuerdo de Voluntades [10] (Consent Agreement), under which the Rapa Nui formally accepted Chilean sovereignty. (El Ciudadano [14], Chile; Pagina12 [15], Argentina)