Nora Ñancul and Gricel Ñancul are women human rights defenders and Werkenes who defend the rights of the Mapuche people in the Likankura autonomous Lof. They are known for their commitment to the revitalisation of Mapuche identity, knowledge and customs and for their defence of indigenous land rights and encouragement of the Mapuche peoples’ spiritual and social reconnection to their land. Nora Ñancul and Gricel Ñancul have spent most of their lives fighting for the recuperation of indigenous land occupied by State or private interests, including some occupied by the company Forestal Mininco at Collipulli Commune in the Malleco Province in Araucanía. The community of Likankura represented by the Ñancul sisters have denounced the company for a violation of land rights and have affirmed that they have no other option except for the pursuit of peaceful land requisitions in order to once again provide enough sustenance for their community.

On 10 September 2020, officials from the Chilean Investigative Police violently detained Nora Ñancul and Gricel Ñancul near their home, without presenting a warrant. Police officers physically and verbally assaulted the women defenders and their young children while they were working on their land close to their home located in CollipulliCommune, Malleco Province. Before they were detained and brought to the police station in Angol Commune, both mothers and their children were pushed to the ground by police officers who dragged through the mud for several metres, leaving them with multiple injuries. The Ñancul sisters believe the police violence is in retaliation for their role as land defenders, as well as for their relationship with their brother, also a land defender, who is in hiding for fear of facing charges. They also view the harassment as a response to their role as indigenous mothers, “extending Mapuche generations”, something which is highly depreciated by the police and state authorities. Days after the attack, Nora and Gricel Ñancul filed a complaint against the officials from the Chilean Investigative Police who they accuse of torture.

While Gricel Ñancul was released hours after her arrest, her sister Nora Ñancul remained detained throughout the night, bound at the hands and feet. While in detention, police officers continued to beat her and use misogynistic and racially discriminatory language against her. Both Nora Ñancul and Gricel Ñancul are facing a number of charges including “threats and violence against police”. Crimes against police officers tend to be brought before military courts and are frequently investigated within the Anti-Terrorism Law.