05/22/2008

Author: ELDER COUNCIL – CRIC [Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca]

Today, 21 May 2008, in the hacienda La Emperatriz, nearly 500 people claimed their right to land and demanded the fulfillment of agreements that the Colombian state made with indigenous communities in Northern Cauca, agreements associated with the massacre in El Nilo. The community was attacked by the ESMAD [the Colombian version of a ‘SWAT’ team] of the national police with bombs and firearms, seriously injuring 8 indigenous Nasa. Victims of the attack included Eulogio Dagua Cuetia, Luís Enrique Ramos, Alex Méndez and Luís Eduardo Ramos, community members from the reserves of Jambaló, San Francisco, Huellas, and Toribío.

The Organization Wayúu Munusurat is a group that has been working for the defence of the human rights of displaced peoples and the victims of paramilitary groups operating in La Guajira, Colombia with the accompaniment of national and international organizations.

With this communiqué we want to update everyone of the grave situation that members of our organization are facing including death threats, hostilities, persecution and pressure on behalf of the Northern Bloc of the Autodefence group (paramilitaries) of the Counter Wayúu Insurgency who have not demobilized and continue to operating within our territories.

Riohacha, La Guajira 

March 18th, 2008

Four trade union leaders have been assassinated in the week of the 6 March protests.

Remember the victims of para-militarism, para-politics and the crimes of the State

FOR THE DISAPPEARED! FOR THE DISPLACED! FOR THE MASSACRED! FOR THE EXECUTED!

10am - 6pm Saturday the 1st of March 2008

Latin America is in a crucial stage of transition. Right now, history is unfolding before our eyes with dynamic movements changing the face of the continent. The Bristol Latin American Forum, which is now in its third consecutive year, invites you to explore these current issues in a stimulating political and cultural event

The forum will be webcast live from here on Saturday between about 11am and 6pm