[News] Colombian military attacks popular movements TWICE in Cauca - Please Act!

[Anti-Imperialist News]

https://afgj.salsalabs.org/nicaragua-response-to-unhr-report_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy2_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy2_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy1_copy2_copy1_copy1_copy2_copy2_copy1?wvpId=27675529-0108-4c23-a3cb-5403675a518a


  Colombian military TWICE attacks indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and
  farming communities meeting about political violence in Cauca - Urgent
  Action Needed!
  <https://default.salsalabs.org/Ta1d0f78a-f6fa-4f72-9404-0283e094c0f6/27675529-0108-4c23-a3cb-5403675a518a>



There is a crisis happening right now in Cauca, Colombia. The Colombian 
Armed Forces have attacked a "minga" in the village of Cairo, 
municipality of Cajibío – twice in two days – and are still present and 
threatening more assaults. The minga is a collective consultation called 
by indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and farming communities and 
organizations, including FENSUAGRO, the agricultural workers union with 
whom Alliance for Global Justice works. Participants are demanding to 
meet with Colombia's President Ivan Duque, who has so far not responded. 
The minga has been called to advocate for land rights and an end to 
political violence and displacement. The minga is happening throughout 
Cauca, with tense encounters also occurring in other townships.


      Click HERE to send an email to Colombian President Iván Duque to
      demand that he end the violence against the minga and go to Cauca
      to hear their valid concerns for peace, land, and safety!
      <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43088a66-39aa-499e-89ae-8e1e92b58813/27675529-0108-4c23-a3cb-5403675a518a>



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Up till now, attacks by the military have been with non-lethal weapons. 
But confrontations like this have too often escalated to live fire 
resulting in civilian casualties. For instance, on October 5 2016 in 
Tumaco, Nariño 
<https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2685eb5-508a-4135-bcd2-4171b869b1b7/27675529-0108-4c23-a3cb-5403675a518a>, 
Colombian Armed Forces attacked a peaceful protest, leaving eight 
persons dead and between 20 and 50 persons wounded.

On March 13, 2019, around 5:45pm, ESMAD (Mobile Anti-Disturbance 
Squadron) attacked a crowd gathered in Cajibío while they listened to 
speeches and presentations. According to eyewitnesses, ESMAD fired tear 
gas directly into the crowd, even though the crowd was not engaged in 
any violent or illegal activity. The following day, around 5:30pm, the 
same thing happened again leaving several people wounded.

The region of Cauca, Valle de Cauca, and Nariño hosts one of Colombia's 
two largest military concentration. The troops have been visited 
repeatedly by the top commanders of the Pentagon's Southern Command, and 
receive US funding, training, and advice.

How bad is the situation in Colombia, and specifically in Cauca since 
the peace accord was finalized? Cauca has been the department most 
affected by subsequent political violence and displacement. Last year, 
according to Indepaz and the Marcha Patriótica, there were 226 social 
movement leaders and human rights defenders assassinated in Colombia. 
The largest number was in Cauca, with 48. In adjacent Valle de Cauca and 
Nariño, there were another 19 and 13 respectively. The overall total is 
up from 159 in 2017, and 97 in 2016. During the first 100 days of 
President Duque's term (beginning August 7 2018), 120 social movement 
leaders and human rights defenders were killed. Duque belongs to the 
far-right Democratic Center Party, whose members, including former 
President Álvaro Uribe, are known for their extensive ties with 
paramilitary death squads. According to the office of Colombia's 
Ombudsman (People's Defender), between the beginning of November 2018 
and the end of January 2019, 164 social movement leaders and human 
rights defenders have been murdered, almost 2 persons per day.


    Contact Us

Alliance for Global Justice
225 E 26th St Ste 1

Tucson, Arizona 85713-2925
202-540-8336
afgj at afgj.org


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