The Mapuche are Chile’s largest indigenous group. They resisted conquest for 300 years until military defeats in the late 19th century forced them into Araucania, south of the Bio Bio river.
Chile’s eight presidential candidates have discussed the hunger strike of four Mapuche activists in the first televised debate ahead of the elections on Nov. 19.
The Mapuche community members have been on a hunger strike for more than 115 days to protest their detention which they argue is arbitrary.
A Mapuche leader who has been on a hunger strike to demand justice for Indigenous people arrested in Chile has been taken to a hospital after signs of internal bleeding.
Four other Mapuche community members have also been on hunger strike, as they have been imprisoned for a year and four months but haven’t been found guilty or tried.
Chile’s Catholic bishop’s conference said it fears for the men’s health. But prosecutors argued against house arrest, saying they represent a danger to society.
Human rights groups say the law is abusive because it allows for suspects to be held in isolation without charge for up to two years and for the use of secret witnesses.
As a group, the Mapuche are poorer than most Chileans and suffer higher rates of illness, malnutrition and discrimination.
