Easter Island: Chile’s Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Visitor’s Card

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | No Comments | October 14th, 2009 | Trackback

The supreme court ruled unconstitutional a new policy for tracking tourists and migrants to Easter Island, thwarting efforts by the local indigenous population and Chilean authorities to monitor and eventually reduce the overwhelming flow of visitors to the fragile island 2,300 miles west of the mainland. The law in effect since September required all visitors to fill out a Special Visitor’s Card detailing their movements on the island, but the court ruled it violated citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of movement. Filling out the card is now voluntary, and in the case of tourists, who presumably do not intend to stay permanently, doing so is a minor imposition and could help authorities plan for ways to reduce the impact of visitors. Easter Island’s economy depends on tourism, but the large number of visitors is straining the island’s resources.

Home » South America, Chile, Political updates

If you found "Easter Island: Chile’s Supreme Court Strikes Down Mandatory Visitor’s Card" useful or interesting, please share it with others by bookmarking it at any of the following sites: