UN Special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples James Anaya has expressed his concern over "measures of eviction carried out by Chilean public forces as a response to Rapanuis' actions related to land demands".

A hotel sparks the dispute

Rapanuis have staged several protests and land occupations in recent years. One of the island's most significant conflict have brought an indigenous family and a hotel company face to face. The lodge is being occupied since July to protect the family's rights on the land.

The conflict dates back to 1967, when the Hito family ancestral owners of the land and the tourist operator Lindblad Travel reached an agreement to build a small tourist resort to host the first tourists visiting the island. Lindblad Travel dropped the project in 1970, allowing the Rapanui family to carry it out. Then CORFO a Chilean governmental company for the promotion of economic growth acquired the land illicitly and sold it soon afterwards to a hotel developer despite complaints by the Rapanui community.

Heavy police deployment in the island

As well as rights over land, the Rapanui people have also raised their voice against the militarization of the Easter Island, which has led to violent evictions. Last incidents took place on December 29, as 70 people gathered peacefully at a square in the center of the capital to protest against previous evictions. More than 100 policemen crushed the protest leaving 20 people wounded, women and child among them. The episode stirred up the indigenous population, who is now calling for the government to stop evictions and police repression.