Original article: Exigen verdad, justicia y castigo: Organizaciones protestan en Tribunales a un año de la desaparición forzada de Julia Chuñil Catricura
“A State That Normalizes the Disappearance of Environmental Defenders”: Organizations Protest at the Court Palace One Year After Julia Chuñil Catricura’s Disappearance
A significant protest organized by Ecoceanos and the Assembly for Unity of Struggles took place this Friday outside the Santiago Court of Justice, demanding truth and justice on the first anniversary of the forced disappearance of Julia Chuñil Catricura, a Mapuche leader and nature defender.
Representatives from Mapuche organizations, environmental advocacy groups, student associations, and human rights bodies denounced the impunity fostered by the Chilean state and the complicity of its institutions in this crime. Businessman Juan Carlos Morstadt is implicated in the investigation but remains free despite being a suspect, the organizations stated.
The prosecutor’s investigation has faced severe criticism for its perceived bias. Juan Carlos Cárdenas, coordinator of Ecoceanos, accused the prosecution of forming «a racist and classist fabrication to criminalize her family, erase her role as a Mapuche nature defender, and protect the powerful.» In stark contrast to Morstadt’s freedom, Julia’s family has endured harassment, home invasions, and intimidation, with her daughter being subjected to illegal pressures by LABOCAR officials, incidents known directly by prosecutor Tatiana Esquivel, whom National Prosecutor Ángel Valencia refuses to remove from her position.
Watch Juan Carlos Cárdenas’ statements, coordinator of Ecoceanos
Claudia Tassara from the organization Pan y Rosas contextualized the crime as part of a systematic strategy. «This corporate crime was fueled by the profit motive of agri-forestry companies in the historical expropriation and exploitation of lands,» she stated. She pointed out that impunity persists thanks to a state that protects businessmen with colluding prosecutors and judges, and through the militarization of Wallmapu and laws that criminalize protest, such as the Antiterrorist Law.
The protesters emphasized that Julia Chuñil’s case is not isolated, but rather a part of the ongoing state persecution against land and water defenders. In light of this increasing extractivism and oppression, calls were made to strengthen organization and unity among struggles. «No one will save themselves alone. This fight must be taken up by all communities, achieving greater strength to win this battle,» Tassara urged, demanding trial and punishment for the intellectual, political, and material responsible parties.
With slogans like «Julia Chuñil is not alone. Julia Chuñil accuses. Julia Chuñil resists,» the protest ended with a firm warning that the demand for justice will continue. The persistent refusal of high ranks within the Public Ministry to act diligently and neutrally consolidates a system of impunity that, according to the protesters, prioritizes capital protection over human rights and environmental defense.
Also see statements from Diva Millapan, Mapuche Women’s Network. Video: Ecoceanos, shared by Minga Ancestral.