Information on the student federation at the University of Playa Ancha, including the names of those on the executive since 1995, its activities, its treatment by the authorities and its involvement in an occupation of the university that began on 27 May 1992 and ended 24 days later [CHL26400.E]

The following information was provided by a representative of the Student Federation of the University of Playa Ancha (La Federación de Estudiantes de la Universidad de Playa Ancha De Ciencias de la Educación) in a 27 March 1997 interview with the DIRB.

According to the representative, the University of Playa Ancha is an educational institution specializing primarily in teaching programmes (ibid.). Activities of the student federation include lobbying public officials for increases of loans to students in need and better financing of student programmes (ibid.). The federation also organizes cultural activities, awareness campaigns and demonstrations against the underfunding of universities (ibid.). For example, students protested in 1996 against government reforms to the education system in Chile (ibid.).

On 27 May 1992, members of the student federation and students at large participated in an occupation of the university campus which lasted for 27 days. (ibid). Another campus occupation took place on 20 June 1995 and lasted until the beginning of July 1995 (ibid.). Both events were attempts to pressure government officials in providing more adequate loans to students in need (ibid.). The source stated that some first year students did not receive loans and therefore, were unable to pursue their studies (ibid.).

While some students were arrested and detained during both the 1992 and 1995 occupations, all students were released soon after their arrests (ibid.). Many students reported that they were physically mistreated by police while in custody (ibid.).

A student federation election took place in November 1995 after an April 1995 election failed to generate enough student participation to validate the election results (ibid.). As a result, the student federation was unable to exercise its role during the period between April and November 1995 (ibid.). Names of federation executive members could not be obtained by the DIRB.

According to a 20 June 1992 IPS report, students occupied university campuses throughout Chile to protest against financial reforms to post-secondary education in June 1992. The source also states that University of Playa Ancha students ended their campus occupation on 19 June 1992 but does not specify when the occupation began (ibid.). The students ended their occupation after being warned that they would be arrested and removed by force (ibid.). Please consult the attached document for more information.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference


Inter Press Service (IPS). 20 June 1992. Gustavo Gonzalez. "Chile: Tension Mounts as Municipal Polls Draw Near." (NEXIS)

Universidad de Playa Ancha De Ciencias de Educación, Valparaíso, Chile. 27 March 1997. Telephone interview with representative.

Attachment


Inter Press Service (IPS). 20 June 1992. Gustavo Gonzalez. "Chile: Tension Mounts as Municipal Polls Draw Near." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted


Amnesty International Report. 1992-1996.

Andean Newsletter [Lima]. 1992.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1992-1996.

DIRB Country File: Chile. 1992.

DIRB Indexed Media Review (IMR). 1996-1997.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1995-1997.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1992.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1992-1997.

Latin America Weekly Report [London]. 1992.

On-line search of news articles. (NEXIS and Internet)