Public Statement from Mujeres Modatima
On this #HumanRightDay2020 please read and sign this petition (link below to the spanish language original), by the women of Modatima, the movement for the defence of the earth and waters in Chile.
PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM MUJERES MODATIMA
DENOUNCING THE DEPORTATION OF NATALIA CARDONA
From MUJERES MODATIMA we denounce, once again, the political persecution by the government of Sebastian Piñera and the abuse of the Investigative Police of Chile, in the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport(Santiago) by detaining, incommunicating and deporting the Colombian Feminist and leader Natalia Cardona Rivillo.
Natalia Cardona Rivillo, is a Colombian citizen, social communicator, student of sociology at the University of Antioquia and worker of the Ecological and Cultural Corporation Penca de Sábila, an organization that belongs to the Life Network of Latin America.
She arrived at Santiago de Chile Airport on Tuesday 8 December at 16.15 on flight LATAM LA0531. Both her personal documents and the obligatory health documentation required due to covid-19, including the negative PCR test, which accredited her health status, and the 3 month stay insurance, were up to date and in order according to Chile's requirements.
Natalia was detained by the Investigations Officer Nibaldo André Donoso Espina, in charge of the Airport Investigation Police. She was interrogated for the reason of her trip and was forced to open her luggage. She was reprimanded for her books on feminism, especially for "Writings on Feminism and Philosophy" by Herbert Marcuse and one by Pedro Lemebel. She was intimidated and her social networks and a personal blog were checked. In addition, the official Donoso accused her of being an "agitator", after finding among her belongings a "Perro Matapacos" t-shirt and calls to mobilize for the demands of the Feminist Movements in Colombia on their social networks.
She was detained, incommunicado and disappeared, inside the airport, by officials of the Investigative Police, for 7 hours. Her partner, with whom she has had a relationship for more than three years, is a Chilean and a militant of MODATIMA Chile, and lives in the commune of La Granja, Metropolitan Region of Santiago.
Donoso also discriminated against her because she is of African descent, pointing out that she "does not have the characteristics to be a tourist," because of her economic capacity and her hotel reservations. When she argued that she would stay with "her boyfriend" and pointed out his place of residence, the commune of La Granja, they immediately proceeded with the protocol of review for drug possession without finding anything. Nor did they take into account that she was carrying credit cards to cover and support her stay.
Finally, Natalia Cardona Rivillas was deported by the Investigative Police, represented by the official Donoso, on a LATAM flight at 01.15 on 9 December. The official justified his action and decision by pointing to our compañera as an "agitator" of the social mobilisation in Chile. In circumstances that she came on a personal trip of three months. This situation is within the framework of the established legality in Chile and the basic principles of any democracy.
This situation was denounced by MODATIMA Chile to the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH). They managed to communicate with Natalia. Despite the INDH's clarifications and diligence with the officials, they forcibly put her on the plane and deported her to Colombia.
Not satisfied with this action, the official documents indicated that "she did not have a clear address in Chile" and "she did not have enough money". This was in order to cover up the persecution procedure of the officials of Investigations, who, on several occasions during the interrogation, singled her out for her activism and political position.
As MODATIMA WOMEN we denounce the humiliating, misogynist, racist and classist treatment in the procedure of the officials of Investigations, occurred in the framework of this situation, through the official NIBALDO ANDRE DONOSO ESPINA. This behaviour is due to the way in which the institutions of order and security that respond to the patriarchy operate, and which since the 18th has violated and brutally repressed feminist women defenders who have taken to the streets demanding their rights.
We call for a public statement by the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreigners and the Chilean Investigation Police on this act of discrimination and political persecution of Natalia Cardona Rivillo by the regime of Sebastián Piñera, as she was deported for being a feminist and for having a relationship with our organisation.
Furthermore, we denounce that this arbitrary act committed against the comrade is part of the discrimination and political persecution experienced in Latin America. The false figure consigned by Investigations to deport Natalia has put the physical integrity and life of this leader at risk, considering that Colombia has the highest rate of persecution and death of Socio-Environmental Defenders.
We call on the Undersecretary Juan Francisco Galli Basilde, for his statements, in a press release, referring insultingly to the events, as he points out that Natalia "did not have support networks in Chile" and "did not have enough money". This situation is not real, since Natalia, as we have already explained, has had a relationship with a member of our organization for more than three years. These trips of the couple were interrupted by the pandemic and they were preparing to spend the end of the year festivities together.
As is public knowledge, our organisation has been a target of interest for Chilean repressive forces and the object of persecution and investigation by intelligence agencies. As stated in various media and studies. This is due to the simple fact that we defend human rights, common natural assets, especially water. For the same reason, we believe that this operation, experienced by Natalia, is part of the same actions that seek to condemn us.
We demand a review of the case of Natalia Cardona Rivillas so that she can enter Chile as a free and sovereign woman.
Please sign the following link, adding your name or organisation name, email and country, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgO9lJptep8S2qhjP1L6I6X--9-lWF2tuPgX70IDZlzu9XFw/viewform