UN body asks Switzerland not to deport Chilean campaigner
Flor Calfunao Paillalef pictured at the UN building in Geneva.
Cocos-Lokos
The UN Committee Against Torture has urged Switzerland not to deport human rights activist Flor Agustina Calfunao Paillalef to Chile because there is a high likelihood that she would face persecution or risk being tortured.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
Paillalef approached the UN body after Switzerland rejected her bid for asylum last year and ordered her to return to her country of birth. But the Committee ruled on Thursday that this would put her at risk of being subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as suffered by various members of her family.
A member of the Mapuche indigenous people of Chile, Paillalef has lived in Switzerland since 1996. In 2008 she was awarded a human rights prize by Geneva for her fight against Chilean state oppression of the Juan Paillalef Community in the region of Araucanía.
The UN Committee Against TortureExternal link has appealed to the Swiss authorities to look again at its decision not to grant Paillalef asylum. It found evidence of systemic human rights abuses against Mapuche people and a failure by the Chilean state to investigate or prosecute offences.
Abuses are more frequent against people who campaign against hydroelectric, forestry or mining concessions.
The Swiss authorities have in the past refused to comment on the Paillalef case to the media.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Female gorillas prevent inbreeding by avoiding groups with male relatives
This content was published on
Female gorillas do not change groups randomly. They avoid the males they grew up with, thus preventing inbreeding, according to a study by the University of Zurich.
Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin to set up Swiss offshoot
This content was published on
Zug's Crypto Valley is getting a new addition. The Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin will set up its European headquarters in Baar, as the company announced on Wednesday.
Natural disasters lead to second most expensive half-year for insurers
This content was published on
The wildfires in California and storm damage have led to the second most expensive first half of the year ever for the insurance industry.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Young activists inspire a Swiss audience on Human Rights Day
This content was published on
At a special summit in Geneva this week, six young women from across the world shared their experiences of standing up for what they believe in.
Swiss foreign minister: Brazil relations unchanged under Bolsonaro
This content was published on
The Swiss minister for foreign affairs, Ignazio Cassis says that relations with Brazil have not changed under its new president Jair Bolsonaro.
This content was published on
Never before have so many people around the globe taken part in popular votes. Yet never before have governments worldwide come under such pressure .
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.