Argentina: Diaguitas denounce Discrimination due to Violent Eviction from their Land

Servindi, January 22, 2011 - The Diaguita community, Las Pailas, in Salta, went to the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism (INADI) to denounce the violent eviction of which they were victims last month.

The community members filed a complaint with INADI in Salta against María Flores, President of the municipal committee, as well as other legal actions at the provincial level, Ambrosio Casimiro reported.

The Diaguitas of Las Pailas are currently in a "permanent assembly" with their counterparts from La Aguada, Las Trancas and El Algarrobal, in view of the possibility of new evictions by their landlords.

"The intendant says that we do not have legal corporate existence and that we are not an indigenous community. That has serious implications because that means that they are ignoring Law 26160, which prevents evictions," stated Casimiro with respect to the complaint filed with the government body.

"That is discrimination, reason for which we filed a complaint with INADI," he added.

According to Casimiro, the attorney for the Diaguitas, Gustavo Miranda, challenged María Graciela Faber, judge that ordered the eviction, and has taken the case to Salta, the capital.

"Twenty thousand hectares, including mountains, apachetas , pens, aguadas and sacred mountains," are claimed by the community members of Las Pailas.

Furthermore, Casimiro stated that, despite the ignorance of the judicial authorities that ordered the eviction, "a land survey is currently underway with officials of the nation," making reference to the National Institute of Indigenous Affairs (INAI).

The INADI delegation in Salta continues with the investigation as to whether it was a case of discrimination.

A group of environmentalists and indigenous organizations reached Cachi, 157 kilometers southeast of the Salta capital, as a sign of solidarity with the Las Pailas community.

Violent Eviction

As you may recall, the Salta police violently evicted five Diaguita families from the land that they had traditionally occupied last December 17. They immediately proceeded to destroy the houses of the evicted parties, as well as their crops, orchards, fences and pens.

The actions were ordered by the Eighth Correctional and Supervisory Court under the responsibility of Judge Mónica Graciela Faber, in favor of Robles, the landowner, who just purchased the land where the Diaguitas have always lived.

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Traducción para Servindi de Sylvia Fisher