Dear Friends:
This is an URGENT request for help.
I am
writing to tell you about a very courageous Mapuche woman who needs our
help. Flor Calfunao Paillalef sought refuge in Switzerland many years
ago when all her family members were in prison in Chile for political
reasons. - she has presented to the UN many times and was responsible
for opening the door there for the voice of the Mapuche Nation. She
also helped many other Mapuche representatives to access the UN forums
on Indigenous Rights. Flor was designated by the Mapuche traditional
authorities to be their ambassador at the United Nations. She acts as a
conduit between the Mapuche Nation and the United Nations keeping each
one up to date on current issues and situations.
The Swiss
government has now decided to expel Flor Calfunao and the expulsion
order is for August 31, 2013. This decision has been made partly
because the Swiss government doesn't feel that Flor is in danger if she
returns to Chile. But Flor's family has been targeted on many
occasions. Her relatives have been imprisoned and her home has been set
on fire on three occasions - one of which led to the death of her
uncle.
The attached petition, calling on the Swiss government to
rescind the expulsion order, is in French and Spanish. If you do not
speak either language we still hope that you will add your name to the
petition which is being coordinated by
www.change.org The link for the petition is:
Please e-mail me back if you have any questions.