Indigenous rights activist ends hunger strike

Chilean activist Patricia Troncoso stopped her 110-day hunger strike on Monday and will soon eat solid foods for the first time in over three months. Her fast ended with the mediation of Chile’s Catholic Church who helped her gain several concessions from the country’s government:

Patricia Troncoso ended her fast after Chilean officials agreed to transfer her to a special, rural prison and allow her home leave on weekends — benefits often granted for good behavior, said Bishop Alejandro Goic, who represented her in negotiations.

Presidential spokesman Francisco Vidal confirmed the agreement…

Two of her four cohorts received the same concessions she did on Monday.

Troncoso has been jailed since 2005 after being convicted of arson; a charge she vehemently denies and claims arose from harassment of the indigenous Mapuche community.

Troncoso’s fast has led to more attention being paid to Chile’s indigenous rights activists who seek some self-determination and settlement of land disputes. In recent weeks, human rights groups increased the pressure on the Chilean government to intervene on her behalf.

Sources (English)- Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, The Latin Americanist, unpo.org

Sources (Spanish)- La Nacion

Image- La Tercera