23 Sep Mapuche Williche delegation brings its call for respect for Indigenous rights in the Pilmaiquén–Statkraft case to Oslo
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Mapuche Williche representatives and allied organizations held a public action outside the Norwegian Parliament to highlight community concerns regarding Statkraft’s hydropower projects and to call for a serious and independent investigation of the complaint filed under Norway’s Transparency Act.
Oslo, Norway, 23 September 2026. Representatives of the Aylla Rewe del Ngen Mapu Kintuantü, an ancestral organization of the Mapuche Williche people from the Pilmaiquén River basin in southern Chile, and Fundación Ko, which works in defense of territory and human rights, held a public action outside the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) on Tuesday, joined by representatives of the Sámi people and Norwegian civil society organizations.
During the event, the delegation displayed a banner and held a collective photo opportunity to denounce and draw attention to the situation faced by communities affected by Statkraft’s hydropower projects, as well as the need to ensure that Indigenous peoples’ rights are effectively respected in decisions that seriously affect their territories and worldview.
The visit comes just over a month after the Aylla Rewe del Ngen Mapu Kintuantü, which represents more than 150 communities in the Pilmaiquén River basin and surrounding areas, filed a complaint in Norway against Statkraft under the Norwegian Transparency Act, with support from ProDESC and the Initiative for Transnational Justice (IJT). The complaint asks the Norwegian Consumer Authority to investigate whether Statkraft complied with its human rights due diligence obligations in relation to the Rucatayo and Los Lagos hydropower projects.
Norway’s Transparency Act requires covered companies to conduct due diligence concerning fundamental human rights and decent working conditions in accordance with the OECD Guidelines. The Norwegian Consumer Authority monitors compliance with the Act.
The Oslo action took place after Statkraft confirmed that the filling of the reservoir for its Los Lagos hydropower plant was completed on 21 August. The company has said the project will now move through operational testing and energization, with commercial operation currently planned for the second quarter of 2027.
Machi Millaray Huichalaf, Mapuche Williche authority:
“The Pilmaiquén is our territory, and our rights as an Indigenous people do not disappear because a project moves forward. We have come to Norway so that our voices can be heard directly. The dignity of our defense of the river cannot be bought with money. What we are defending are our rights, our territory and the future of our communities.”
Millaray emphasized that the communities are not expressing a general opposition to renewable energy. Their position is that any energy transition must respect Indigenous peoples’ rights and ensure their meaningful participation in decisions affecting their territories.
Amanda Huichalaf, spokesperson for the Aylla Rewe del Ngen Mapu Kintuantü:
“The projects have had impacts that are experienced differently by Mapuche women, children and families. They have also created divisions within our communities and a context in which defending our rights can mean facing stigmatization and criminalization. It is not enough to call a process dialogue if our participation has no real ability to influence decisions affecting our lives and our territory.”
Amanda said that the visit to Norway is also intended to break the isolation that, from the communities’ perspective, has made it difficult for their experience to be widely heard in Chile.
Francisco Aliaga Huentrutripay, Mapuche lawyer:
“For years, the communities have used different legal avenues in Chile to defend their rights. They have also turned to the OECD mechanism and now to Norway’s Transparency Act. Coming to Norway does not mean beginning a new struggle. It means continuing a defense that has been underway for years, while seeking mechanisms capable of examining the conduct of a Norwegian company from a human rights due diligence perspective.”
In Chile, the Indigenous consultation carried out in connection with Los Lagos did not address the construction or operation of the project as a whole, but was specifically limited to administrative measures concerning archaeological findings. Separately, Statkraft abandoned the Osorno hydropower project in 2023 and relinquished its environmental authorization and associated water rights. The company attributed the decision to dialogue with communities and recognition of the cultural significance of the territory.
A company wholly owned by the Norwegian state
Statkraft is wholly owned by the Norwegian state through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. For the delegation, this makes it particularly important for the case to be heard and examined in Norway.
The communities have stressed that their presence in Norway is not intended to turn impacts on their rights into a negotiation over financial compensation.
Their central request is a serious and independent investigation of the complaint, including an assessment of whether Statkraft effectively complied with its human rights due diligence obligations and the role and responsibilities that may correspond to the Norwegian government as the company’s owner.
From the delegation’s perspective, the filling of the reservoir does not make the issues raised in the complaint disappear. The communities maintain that the impacts still need to be established, further harm prevented, and the relevant responsibilities clarified.
Among the organizations present were The Norwegian Solidarity Committee for Latin America (LAG) and Sami Council. In addition, single activists and engaged Norwegian civilians joined in solidarity. Also present were the artists Xavier Valverde and Batucada Antifacista. Sámi representative Beaska Niillas had an intervention.
Press contact in Norway:
The Norwegian Solidarity Committee for Latin America (LAG)
Lina Alvarez Reyes
Information advisor
info@lagnorge.no / +47 992 64 908
ProDESC contact:
Valeria Berumen Ornelas
Strategic Communications Coordinator
ProDESC
comunicacion.estrategica@prodesc.org.mx