Colombia indigenous communities have been hurt by the armed conflict that continues to rear its ugly head in mostly rural areas. Tensions have grown against a government that some indigenous leaders feel has abandoned them. Meanwhile, leftist rebels continue to displace indigenous peoples and also massacre those who are foolishly accused of being army informants.
Sadly, the country’s natives are not immune from new criminal groups that emerged from demobilized right-wing paramilitary armies. According to the UNHCR, a new paramilitary group entered the territory of the Embera community about a month ago. Aside from being used as pawns by the criminals, the Embera have suffered from “systematic sexual violence":
"I was washing clothes in the river when they arrived," a young indigenous woman recounted. "Two men grabbed me by the neck, but I managed to slip through and they were left with just my shakira [a traditional beaded necklace] in their hands. I grabbed my baby and ran into the jungle."A UNHCR spokesman mentioned last month that over two dozen indigenous communities are “at risk of extinction” unless swift action is taken. Hopefully this situation of Colombia’s indigenous peoples can soon improve and they can live in the peace they deserve.
UNHCR strongly condemns these acts as violations of international humanitarian law and calls on the Colombian government to strengthen interventions to protect local populations, and to prevent more forced displacement of indigenous people.
Image- BBC News
Online Sources – Voice of America, The Latin Americanist, Reuters AlertNet, Colombia Reports
It is good that the rights of the Native Indigenous Populations are not forgotten. I find it Noble, Kind and Humane.
ReplyDeleteThanks for interesting article, that I see as very serious and relating to reality and what has actually happened.
I wish you continue these informations.
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Global Implications
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The Conflicts in Colombia have political implications that transcend the territory of Colombia.
Several other countries have participated helping the Government of Colombia or helping the Guerrillas. And that won't be forgotten by the Colombian Population.
Those Participations in the Past Conflict will have Foreign Policy Implications in the Future for those countries : USA, Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, etc ...
The Governments of Colombia may have sinned by ommission in the Past. But I think that the most serious violations are from the irregular groups and not from the Colombian Army. Some efforts have been done to purge the Army and its rotten apples.
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Vicente Duque