Six Colombian Indians killed as armed groups invade - News from Survival
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- Published on Saturday, 18 April 2015 04:17
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Six Colombian Indians killed as armed groups invade
The body of one of six Colombian Indians shot dead near their homes in Cauca© Anon
At least six Colombian Indians have been shot dead near their homes in western Colombia.
The shootings took place in the communities of Agua Bonita and Agua Clara in Cauca province on Thursday 16 April. The perpetrators remain unknown.
Indigenous peoples in Cauca have been some of the worst affected by Colombia’s internal war. Scores of indigenous leaders have been killed in the cross-fire between the army, FARC guerrillas, and paramilitaries.
This week, President Manuel Santos scrapped a previous order to suspend army operations against the FARC in the region. The order came after eleven soldiers were killed, allegedly by FARC forces.
A statement signed by Cauca Indian organization ACIN has labelled the situation a ‘humanitarian crisis.’
The region is a hot-spot for mining, which has brought more violence to local indigenous peoples, many of whom are resisting the destruction of their ancestral lands.
According to ACIN, two paramilitary groups, the Black Eagles of the Cauca Valley and Rastrojos Urban Command, have sent death threats to communities who oppose mining.
One of the victims was just 18. He was shot dead with two other members of his family. A further two people have ‘disappeared.’
Survival International the global movement for tribal peoples’ rights, is calling on the Colombian government to immediately investigate the cases and bring the killers to justice. Survival also calls on the government to prevent the invasion of indigenous lands.
Read this online: http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/10745
Brazil: Mass Indian protests against assault on land rights
1,500 Brazilian Indians protested in Brasilia against a proposed amendment in the constitution (PEC 215)© Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (Apib)
Ahead of Brazil’s “Day of the Indian” on April 19, 1,500 Indians from 200 tribes are protesting all week in the nation’s capital against an assault on their rights by Brazil’s Congress.
The Indians are incensed by a proposal to amend the constitution to give Congress the power to decide on the demarcation (or mapping out) of indigenous territories. This is currently the responsibility of FUNAI, the government’s indigenous affairs department.
If approved, the proposal is likely to cause huge delays in the recognition of indigenous lands; many Indian territories will probably be reduced in size; and violent clashes over land are almost certain to increase.
Tupã Karaí, a Guarani Indian attending the protest said, “The group of non-indigenous politicians want to kill all the indigenous people of Brazil. That’s why we are here.”
A powerful block of anti-indigenous politicians with links to Brazil’s huge agri-business, mining and hydro-electrics sectors is behind this latest attack on indigenous rights, while the Ministry of Justice and FUNAI are opposed to the amendment.
Lindomar Ferreira, a Terena Indian and coordinator of the Network of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) warned, “From the moment the legislative body decides on the demarcation of indigenous lands, we know there will no more demarcations.
“It’s the same as throwing petrol on the fire. The ranchers will get emboldened and we will defend our territory. There will be conflict, violence and death.”
The Indians are camping outside ministry buildings to publicize their protests.
On Tuesday, many Indians held a peaceful vigil at the Supreme Court in protest at its recent anti-indigenous decisions, which include annulling official orders declaring the limits of three indigenous territories.
Read this online: http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/10742
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