By Liam Hazell
Concern is growing over the increasing harassment of Chilean activists Daniel Sanchez San Juan and Lorena Astorga, both members of the Organisation for the Defence of Human Rights in Chile (ODEP). Daniel toured Australia in 1995 to promote awareness of human rights violations in Chile.
Sanchez and Astorga held a press conference on October 12 at which they denounced the violation of the human rights of 110 political prisoners, the assassination of 65 left-wing youth and the continuing use of torture. Chilean police have since stepped up their efforts to find a pretext to jail the two activists. Some government authorities have alleged that Sanchez and Astorga were involved in the assassination of notorious Senator Jaime Guzman.
Manuel Flores, a member of the Chilean Human Rights Committee in Australia, and of the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean in Canberra, has sent letters of concern to both the Australian government and the Chilean ambassador. Flores has asked community organisations, unions and church groups also to send letters and to donate to a defence fund established by ODEP in case Sanchez and Astorga require legal representation.
Donations or expressions of interest in the defence campaign should be sent to the Chilean Human Rights Committee in Australia, PO Box 244, Dickson ACT 2602, or telephone Manuel Flores on (06) 249 6845.