PUBLIC STATEMENT BY CODEPU ABOUT THE HUNGER STRIKE HELD BY CHILEAN POLITICAL PRISONERS CODEPU (Corporation for the Defense of Peoples Rights) declares its concern for the health of 3 of the 6 political prisoners still in the High Security Prison (CAS). These prisoners started a hunger strike 51 days ago to demand from the government and the legislative power an amendment to the Pardon Law number 19965, approved by the Parliament in August 2004. This amendment would allow them to have access to jail benefits after more than 13 years of imprisonment. Given that the political prisoners on hunger strike are committed to continue with their movement, which could affect their health permanently, and given that last May 4 the Chamber of Deputies approved the proposed amendment, in our capacity of human rights organization, we support the demand raised by the relatives of the prisoners, to ask the Senate to speedily process this law. This is the only quick solution that could save the lives of these prisoners. The members of the Senate cannot avoid the responsibility they have upon them. They know that these people were victim of torture, that their legal processes did not conform with due process since they were judged by military tribunals that ruled with extreme sentences. They also know that these prisoners have lived too many years in prison under severe conditions of punishment and discrimination. Nonetheless, CODEPU appeals to the humanitarian value that would mean to legislate immediately, fulfilling with this a commitment that the legislators and the government assumed almost a year ago. The legislation about the situation of these prisoners should have already been completed. This is why we cannot accept the statement by Senator Alberto Espina from National Renewal who declared: "I am not going to give in to hunger strike pressure... I am so sorry." His arrogance exudes lack of concern for human life, in direct contrast with the majority of the citizenry, the Churches, and even high authorities within his own political party. Finally, we want to express our solidarity and commitment to support them to Julio Peņa Parada, 40 years old and 12 years in prison; Rene Salfate Osorio, 43 years old, 10 years in prison; Hardy Peņa Trujillo, 38 years old, and almost 14 years in prison; Fedor Sanchez, 48 years old and almost 14 years in prison, Claudio Melgarejo, 40 years and 13 years in prison; and Pablo Vargas Lopez, 33 years old and 14 years in prison. To contribute to public knowledge here is the amendment we should urge Senate to approve immediately: "... Those sentenced to life in prison under Law 18314 and also by other infractions sanctioned by the Penal Code, by Law 12927 and/or by Law 17798, would be eligible to apply to conditional release after serving 10 years of their sentence, only if the crimes occurred between January 1, 1989 and January 1, 1998, and the sentenced prisoners subscribe previously to a statement sent to the Ministry of Justice and the Parole Commission containing a commitment to renounce the use of violence." Signed by Viviana Uribe T. Victor Espinoza C. Executive Secretaries CODEPU Santiago, Chile July 4, 2005