Request for action without delay in support of Indigenous human rights defenders at risk in Colombia --Frm Amnesty
Stewart in Colombia
Please respond to this urgent action from
Amnesty International regarding violence against indigenous
peoples participating in the Minga in Colombia.
Also, I will be available to to presentations in South
Western Ontario on my work with CPT in both Colombia and
with the First Nation Mi'kmaq community #Elsipogtog New
Brunswick from October 26th until November 15th. Contact me
at Stewart.i...@gmail.com (Preferred) or on my
cell-phone: (647) 567-7665
Thanks!
Dear friends:
Apologies for duplications! I wanted to share with you worrying news from Colombia about the violent crackdown on Indigenous peoples taking part in an ongoing nationwide mobilization (MINGA). Scores of people have been gravely injured as a result of actions by state security forces and the ONIC has denounced pamphlets from a paramilitary group which declares those participating in the peaceful demonstrations to be a military target. There are grave fears for the safety of those involved with the MINGA.
Amnesty International has issued a public statement - see http://www.amnesty.ca/news/news-updates/colombia-paramilitary-group-threatens-indigenous-protesters-with-%E2%80%98social-cleansing
We have also issued an Urgent Action - see http://www.amnesty.ca/get-involved/take-action-now/colombia-indigenous-activists-threatened PLEASE SEND MESSAGES OF CONCERN TO COLOMBIAN AUTHORITIES AS REQUESTED!
In addition, to our urgent action appeal for messages to Colombian authorities, we are also mobilizing concerned activists to raise up Canada's responsibilities in a message to Canada's Foreign Minister, as well as to contact your MP and request a message from him or her to Colombia's Ambassador in Canada. See below for instructions. Your help responding to and sharing these action requests with others in your networks is much appreciated.
In solidarity,
Kathy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear friends,
I am writing to request your assistance with regard to extremely troubling developments in Colombia.
As you know, Colombia’s highest court ruled in 2009 that the Colombian government must develop and implement ethnic safeguard plans within 6 months to protect the rights and survival of more than a third of the country’s Indigenous peoples who it identified as being at risk of complete destruction amidst armed conflict and forced displacement from territory often rich in natural resources. More than four years later, little effective progress has been made. Indigenous peoples continue to come under attack and face forced displacement, particularly in areas earmarked by the government for resource extraction and other economic projects.
Last week, the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC) and its 44 regional member organizations began a nationwide, peaceful mobilization to draw attention to the humanitarian emergency faced by Indigenous peoples and the failure of the government to uphold promises to protect Indigenous lives and rights.
The mobilization calls for compliance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Colombian court orders to protect Indigenous peoples at risk of destruction. It also calls for cancellation of mining permits granted to third parties for projects in Indigenous territory without respect for the right of Indigenous peoples to be consulted and freely make decisions about what happens on their land. Of additional interest to Canada is the fact that the Indigenous mobilization calls as well for suspension of free trade agreements, like the Canada Colombia Free Trade Agreement, pending a referendum and consultation with Indigenous peoples.
As thousands of Indigenous peoples began to congregate in different regions of the country and to make their protest visible on highways and in other public spaces, disturbing reports began to arrive. According to communiques sent by ONIC’s Human Rights team, the army and anti-riot police (ESMAD) fired indiscriminately at Indigenous protestors in Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Huila and Risaralda between October 16 and October 19 using tear gas and long-range weapons. ONIC declared a state of emergency and appealed for guarantees to enable injured men, women and children to access medical attention. ONIC also reported the appearance of pamphlets from the paramilitary group Los Rastrosos which warn Indigenous leaders to end the mobilization or become a military target.
Canada has a close relationship with Colombia, as a result of the free trade agreement and the subsequent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation with the Colombian military, amongst other areas of collaboration. It is imperative that Canada uses this special relationship, at this critical juncture, to defend the rights and safety of Indigenous peoples engaged in peaceful protest.
Please take a few minutes to send TWO separate messages to mobilize Canadian concern and pressure:
1. 1. Send a short message to Canada’s Foreign Minister John Baird.
Make any of the following points:
- express concern for the safety of members of the Indigenous population involved in demonstrations;
- express concern about reports of serious injuries after state security forces reportedly opened fire on Indigenous people taking part in the protests;
- express concern that the recent expansion of the remit of the military justice system may be sending a green light message to the security forces to exercise excessive force;
- ask the Minister to press the Colombian government to uphold the right of Indigenous peoples to freedom of expression and peaceful protest without fear of harm, and to call for thorough, impartial investigations so as to bring to justice anyone responsible for human rights violations;
- ask that Canada be in direct and regular communication with the ONIC and other human rights organizations to monitor developments.
WRITE TO: John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Fax: 613-996-9880
Email: john....@parl.gc.ca
2. 2. Send a short message to your MP.
Check here to find the contact information for your MP -- http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx
- You may wish to include a copy of your letter to Minister Baird.
- Make sure to explain that you live in the riding.
- Share your concerns about recent events in Colombia. Also explain that Canada’s close relationship with Colombia creates opportunities and obligations to work together for the protection of human rights.
- Ask your MP to write a message to Colombia’s Ambassador in Canada (contacts below) to express concern for the safety and protection of Indigenous peoples in Colombia and guarantees for their right to freedom of expression via peaceful social protest.
- Ask your MP to call for thorough, impartial investigation of reports that security forces opened fire on Indigenous peoples and prosecution of anyone responsible for human rights violations.
- Ask your MP to pass on any reply from the Embassy.
- Include the following contact information for Colombia`s Ambassador in Canada:
His Excellency Nicolás Lloreda Ricaurte
Ambassador for Colombia
360 Albert Street, Suite 1002
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X7
Fax: (613) 230-4416
E-mail: emba...@embajadacolombia.ca
Thank you for taking this action without delay to protect the human rights of Indigenous peoples in Colombia.
Kathy
Kathy Price, Campaigner
Amnesty International Canada (English Speaking Branch)
1992 Yonge Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto, ON
Tel. 416.363.9933 ext 322
No pedagogy which is truly liberating can remain distant from the oppressed by treating them as unfortunates and by presenting for their emulation models from among the oppressors. The oppressed must be their own example in the struggle for their redemption. –Paulo Freire
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Stewart in Colombia:
Cell Phones: Colombia: 313 420 5613; Canada: 647 567 7665
Christian Peacemaker Teams Colombia:
Phone: (57) 7 602 3617
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