tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77600102557566996612024-03-13T09:02:25.193-07:00Colombia Solidarity: Social Movements Under FireThe latest reports, articles and photos from human rights observers accompanying Colombian Social Movements.The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-25362708597258217302007-09-11T05:26:00.000-07:002007-10-01T13:42:12.678-07:00International Caravan in Solidarity with Small Scale Mining in Colombia (August)<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaOv-X_gfI/AAAAAAAAAGM/ZO0L8SAGYZs/s1600-h/S6300760.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaOv-X_gfI/AAAAAAAAAGM/ZO0L8SAGYZs/s320/S6300760.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108927782147031538" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaN-OX_gaI/AAAAAAAAAFk/YJ3JCfPIjfY/s1600-h/S6300763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaN-OX_gaI/AAAAAAAAAFk/YJ3JCfPIjfY/s320/S6300763.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108926927448539554" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaN_OX_gcI/AAAAAAAAAF0/wJwRHzaGdHE/s1600-h/S6300708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaN_OX_gcI/AAAAAAAAAF0/wJwRHzaGdHE/s320/S6300708.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108926944628408770" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaN_uX_gdI/AAAAAAAAAF8/baGTZ1uvnd4/s1600-h/S6300482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaN_uX_gdI/AAAAAAAAAF8/baGTZ1uvnd4/s320/S6300482.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108926953218343378" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaOAOX_geI/AAAAAAAAAGE/3M9LLScEoG8/s1600-h/S6300784.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RuaOAOX_geI/AAAAAAAAAGE/3M9LLScEoG8/s320/S6300784.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108926961808277986" /></a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-33588615796134529672007-08-31T06:37:00.001-07:002007-09-04T13:41:34.192-07:00Lets Defend Our Land<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rt3BHuX_gYI/AAAAAAAAAFU/bH6wY7w59MI/s1600-h/S6300512.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rt3BHuX_gYI/AAAAAAAAAFU/bH6wY7w59MI/s320/S6300512.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106449890959917442" /></a><br /><blockquote><em>Only united can we assert our right to life, peace and permanence in our territory.</em></blockquote><br />A poem about the entrance of mining company Kedahda, affilliate of <strong>Anglo Gold Ashanti</strong>, to the Serrania de San Lucas of Sur de Bolivar department. Author - resident of Mina Caracol.<br /><br /><blockquote>If they ask me where I come from<br />Im going to tell them<br />I'm of peasant origin<br />But now I find myself here<br /><br />I have no bacheloriat<br />Nor have I a diploma to defend myself with<br />But what I tell you now<br />Concerns you as much as me<br /><br />I am an artisanal miner<br />That works day and night<br />One who risks his life <br />To earn bread for himself and his family<br /><br />But what will become of us and our children<br />If this soon all changes?<br />What will be of this people <br />Without their mining customs?<br />If our Government, in search of self gain<br />Displaces us from our land.<br /><br />So people lets defend out land<br />It belongs to us like the light from the sun<br />This violence is of our Governments making<br />You have nothing to lose by saying no<br /><br />You hear them saying that they want to put an end<br />To the nature reserves of the small scale miners<br />With heavy machineries they call multinationals<br />Without thinking of the needs of our children.<br /><br />That is why the world is as it is<br />With its one future and one tomorrow<br />Turned into nothing<br />By everyone seeking their own benefit<br /><br />From the city I have seen many people<br />With expensive diplomas they have earned themselves<br />They come to the mines in search of work<br />Because there they dont serve for nothing<br /><br />So what will become of us in the cities<br />The people who dont know shit<br />We sure havent got a hope in hell<br />Because for society we will just be beggars <br /><br />So people lets defend out land<br />It belongs to us like the light from the sun<br />This violence is of our Governments making<br />You have nothing to lose by saying no</blockquote><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rt3BIOX_gZI/AAAAAAAAAFc/LTazFOZcMs4/s1600-h/S6300510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rt3BIOX_gZI/AAAAAAAAAFc/LTazFOZcMs4/s320/S6300510.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106449899549852050" /></a><br /><blockquote><em>The miners of the San Lucas mountain range go on resisting and we will not tire for the love of our territory</em></blockquote>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-7421043733291443262007-08-17T09:10:00.000-07:002007-09-04T13:19:17.056-07:00El Cerrejon Coal Report (Anglo American mining)<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RsXKzuX_gLI/AAAAAAAAADs/wYoDQM57_0w/s1600-h/S6300215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RsXKzuX_gLI/AAAAAAAAADs/wYoDQM57_0w/s320/S6300215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099705143037755570" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rtyqg-X_gVI/AAAAAAAAAE8/AeyyLjCStkU/s1600-h/S6300383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rtyqg-X_gVI/AAAAAAAAAE8/AeyyLjCStkU/s320/S6300383.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106143561007464786" /></a><br /><em>'Cerrejon, Coal for the world, progress for Colombia' (To the rear: town of Roche, mostly abandoned due to effects of mine displacement, pollution and health effects)</em><br /><br />El Cerrejon Report<br /><br />On the 9th August myself and Steve Mathers from the Colombia Solidarity Campaign attended the international mining conference - ´Dialogue about Mining in Colombia and its International Connections’ in the town of Riohacha (Guajira province). The date commemorates the the forceful expulsión of the Afro-Colombian Community Tabaco from their land in August 2001. Jose Julio Perez (who came to the UK in February) subsequently invited us on a two day trip to the communities close to the mine that are suffering the brunt of its expansion. We started in Albania - the local town to where he and many other afro-Colombians from Tabaco are displaced. From there we went to the villages of Remedios, Amakito, Chancleta, Roche and Patilla <br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rt28cOX_gXI/AAAAAAAAAFM/SXqSX0Y5hM8/s1600-h/S6300343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rt28cOX_gXI/AAAAAAAAAFM/SXqSX0Y5hM8/s320/S6300343.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106444745589096818" /></a><br /><em>Jose Julio Perez (President of the Tabaco Relocation Committee at an international mining conference 9 August (date comemorates the violent expulsion of the town of Tabaco)</em><br /><br />The aim of the conference was to make a call to the national and international community for a definitive relocation of the peoples displaced by the Cerrejon coal mine - the largest open pit mine in the world. On the part of the delegates, the aim was to construct a work agenda. A central theme was the ethno-cultural identity of the communities. This is a fundamental issue in asserting the extent of the damage caused and the nature of the indemnification required. Also discussed was the need for collective negociation, both locally and internationally. A big problem in the area is fatigue; most communities have been in resistence for at least 10 years and have not moved forward.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyneeX_gQI/AAAAAAAAAEU/OpG8xBoJySs/s1600-h/S6300370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyneeX_gQI/AAAAAAAAAEU/OpG8xBoJySs/s320/S6300370.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106140219522908418" /></a><br /><em>7 Year girl in Patilla. Like many she suffers skin rashes from the effects of the mine dust. Local health provision is woefully inadequate and reliant on ineffective handouts from El Cerrejon.</em><br /><br />The same process of pressure and displacement is still taking place here. Indigenous fishermen of Amakito are prevented access to the river to fish by the mine vigilantes. Remedios is suffering the inconvenience and expense of a road closure by the mine. There is also talk of plans to build a new road directly through the communities. In Patilla electricity (controlled by the mine) is cut for periods of upto 25 days. Unemployment is also a massive problem. There is almost no land left to cultivate here and the mine appears to be outsourcing skilled lobour whilst operating a de facto employment bar against communities in resistence and those already displaced such as Tabaco. In all of the places visited there is talk of sytematic “encirclement” or “suffocation” of the communities by the mine. In pressuring individuals to sell for lower and lower amounts the mine is breaking the community´s collective resistence. Those lucky enough to be relocated are recieving no more than a house of equal size – disregarding the ethno–cultural and psychosocial damage and the breaking of work practices and social fabrics. Perhaps the gravest effect is the uniform health effects (cancers and complaints of the lungs, heart, intestines, skin and eyes).<br /><br /><blockquote>“We are contaminated. The children are ill, we are unemployed and we are selling our houses to buy food...we want negociations rapido or we are going to die here!”</blockquote>(Quote from interview with elderly resident of Chacleta)<br /><br />Pete Bearder 17/08/2007<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyqgOX_gTI/AAAAAAAAAEs/bWiE8y6bSNw/s1600-h/S6300350.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyqgOX_gTI/AAAAAAAAAEs/bWiE8y6bSNw/s320/S6300350.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106143548122562866" /></a><br /><em>Mine's own train track that cuts accross landscape. Despite denouncements El Cerrejon refuses to cover the carridges. The giant trains blow coal dust over the neighbouring communities, polluting and contaminating.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyqguX_gUI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Dv0jgwhiM8s/s1600-h/S6300374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyqguX_gUI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Dv0jgwhiM8s/s320/S6300374.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106143556712497474" /></a><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyqheX_gWI/AAAAAAAAAFE/TX9smIMV_CY/s1600-h/S6300390.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyqheX_gWI/AAAAAAAAAFE/TX9smIMV_CY/s320/S6300390.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106143569597399394" /></a><br /><em>Unable to displace - one of the few remainders of Roche</em><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyorOX_gSI/AAAAAAAAAEk/RNTa38UI6jQ/s1600-h/S6300367.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyorOX_gSI/AAAAAAAAAEk/RNTa38UI6jQ/s320/S6300367.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106141538077868322" /></a><br /><em>Jose Julio Perez with computer courtesy of Oxford and District Trades Coucil UK</em><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyoNuX_gRI/AAAAAAAAAEc/dlDD3H-8ra0/s1600-h/S6300376.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RtyoNuX_gRI/AAAAAAAAAEc/dlDD3H-8ra0/s320/S6300376.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106141031271727378" /></a><br /><em>Wayuu community of Tamaquito. Their land has been taken by the mine. Mine security prevent access to fishing waters. The most recent resident to suffer effects of the coal dust is a ten month baby with diarrhea.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RsXKHeX_gKI/AAAAAAAAADk/TpE3iOC-hNk/s1600-h/S6300205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RsXKHeX_gKI/AAAAAAAAADk/TpE3iOC-hNk/s320/S6300205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099704382828544162" /></a><br /><em>Cerrejon propaganda in Bogota airport</em>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-78104745235409484002007-08-03T14:05:00.000-07:002007-08-13T10:48:07.799-07:00Petrol Delegation to Casanare, BP and OXY<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/S6300173-753089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/S6300173-752306.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOdq5MKvTI/AAAAAAAAADE/c-6bFnwn9X0/s1600-h/S6300139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOdq5MKvTI/AAAAAAAAADE/c-6bFnwn9X0/s320/S6300139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094588963718085938" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOdrZMKvUI/AAAAAAAAADM/ZmCHHb57Wro/s1600-h/S6300149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOdrZMKvUI/AAAAAAAAADM/ZmCHHb57Wro/s320/S6300149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094588972308020546" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOcu5MKvRI/AAAAAAAAAC0/WR_ao8Mok4c/s1600-h/S6300133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOcu5MKvRI/AAAAAAAAAC0/WR_ao8Mok4c/s320/S6300133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094587932925934866" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOcvZMKvSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/YFZjHTuO5lY/s1600-h/S6300134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOcvZMKvSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/YFZjHTuO5lY/s320/S6300134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094587941515869474" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOaQ5MKvPI/AAAAAAAAACk/OrBZ9mqNGuY/s1600-h/S6300118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOaQ5MKvPI/AAAAAAAAACk/OrBZ9mqNGuY/s320/S6300118.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094585218506603762" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOaRZMKvQI/AAAAAAAAACs/M6AecIbHLJU/s1600-h/S6300127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RrOaRZMKvQI/AAAAAAAAACs/M6AecIbHLJU/s320/S6300127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094585227096538370" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/S6300195-753049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/S6300195-752456.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>United against the transnational monster. Sewing, fighting, constructing. Arauca lives!</em>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-84854218928557863562007-07-25T17:13:00.000-07:002007-08-02T12:34:22.280-07:00Sur de Bolivar (Gold Mining Zone)<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf7e5MKvMI/AAAAAAAAACM/nqF9x9WdbRE/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091314411932138690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf7e5MKvMI/AAAAAAAAACM/nqF9x9WdbRE/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+142.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Introduction</strong><br /><br /><blockquote>“Here we can build a fair lie for ourselves and send money to our families. If this goes we will end up in the city to live a life of misery. If you don’t work you don’t eat and if you don’t know how to steal you die of hunger” </blockquote>(Resident of Mina Vieja, Sur de Bolívar)<br /><br />The southern zone of the Department of Bolivar has been home to some of the worst Colombian human rights atrocities in recent years. In the late 1990s, thousands were murdered and tens of thousands displaced by paramilitary activity that accompanied the arrival of the mining corporations Conquistador Mines and Anglo-American. Today the region is facing incursions from the mining giant Kedahda (a subsidiary of Anglo Gold Ashanti). Since the mining applications the region has seen an increased presence of the Anti-Air Batallon Nueva Granada. The local agro-mining federation (FEDAGROMISBOL) is sounding the alarm bells for the extinction of small scale gold mining communities. They claim that their mountain paradise - rich in locally grown organic food, forest and water – will be tuned into desert by the arrival of open pit mines. <br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf4gZMKvJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/HOH0tN2aXA4/s1600-h/Pescadores.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091311139167059090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf4gZMKvJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/HOH0tN2aXA4/s320/Pescadores.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />FEDAGROMISBOL - Federación Agro-Minero de Sur de Bolívar (Agro-mining Federation of South of Bolivar) - alludes to the dual interest of the mining communities; they are essentially a mining society sustained by agriculture. The two economies in the region are inseparable and in large areas (especially the North of the region) are used simultaneously in a small scale artisan way of living. The Federation administers mining titles, environmental plans and taxes. It is also the custodian of the rights and security of the miners. Their slogan is ‘for the right to life, integrity and permanence in our territory’.<br /><br /><<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf8I5MKvNI/AAAAAAAAACU/1CMeeomT4XA/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091315133486644434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf8I5MKvNI/AAAAAAAAACU/1CMeeomT4XA/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+149.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Persecution</strong><br /><br />On the19th 2006 FEDAGROMISBOL President, Alejandro Uribe Chacon was shot dead by the Batallon Nueva Granada. FEDAGROMISBOL and the local community claim he was executed extra-judicially by the Batallon. The Army claim he was a functionary of the ELN guerillas and was killed in combat. One of the justifications for this position is his work organizing against Kedahda. In the enquiry is ongoing.(3)<br /><br />This loss, by no means a precedent, appears to be compounded by an extra-judicial campaign against the Federation. On the 26th April of this year, its President - Teofilo Acuña, who now resides in Bogota for security reasons, was violently arrested by members of the Anti-Air Batallon Nueva Granada. He was illegally detained without warrant until the 5th May when he was released with the help vocal local opposition and international pressure. The incident is one of countless such incidents that form a strategy of detention directed towards such leaders. The Federation, like so many organizations, has to constantly reassert its legitimacy and its right to resist the entrance of multinational interests. Their activities are monitored, tracked and photographed by authorities who carry out regular stops and searches.<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfriZMKu9I/AAAAAAAAAAU/I6my5ycR-Us/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091296879875636178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfriZMKu9I/AAAAAAAAAAU/I6my5ycR-Us/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Democratic Resitence</strong><br /><br />The civil population has made considerable headway in advancing this platform of the left through local electoral politics. There has been an extensive registration drive in the rural zones and electoral committees have been established in an effort to strengthen the electoral process. Some of the participants in this process have been signaled out as guerilla collaborators - acts which led to national and international complaints. Organizers believe that the importance of the mining sector in investing money into the local towns is not reflected by the political representation of the region. Electoral mobilization is, however, fraught with difficulties in a zone where so many armed groups and powerful financial interests are in competition. Armed groups often compete for a protection tax that endangers the security of the civil population. The regular armed forces of the State appear to be disinterested in tackling those armed groups from the right. On the contrary, they have been heavily implicated in the direct cooperation with them and numerous testimonies tell of their harassing of civilians. (2)<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf0P5MKvEI/AAAAAAAAABM/-Y6IH61Hvb0/s1600-h/P2150043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091306457652706370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf0P5MKvEI/AAAAAAAAABM/-Y6IH61Hvb0/s320/P2150043.JPG" border="0" /></a>On the 6th and 7th May of this year the mining community of Mina Mocha held an assembly on the human rights situation in the region. It was attended by 22 mining communities plus two mining associations. Also present were representatives from 17 human rights, social and peace organizations – national and international. ‘Is it legal that the army carries out patrols with civilians and demobilized paramilitaries (sometimes masked) – uniformed with garments and arms designed for the private use of the National Army?’ asks the subsequent report by the national and international commission. The report went on to conclude that civic activities are being controlled and monitored by intelligence agents; children youths and women are being used as civilian intelligence actors in counter insurgency operations [in violation of the Geneva Convention] and that public resources, as well as locations of residence, were being used as part of a military build-up to protect the entrance of large scale mining from guerilla attacks.(1) <br /><br /><blockquote>“The soldiers have arrived to this region with the pretext that they come following the footsteps of the insurgency. But we see that they are not coming for the insurgency, they come contracted by Kedahda as the most effective resolution to divide us so that we leave our territory and de-occupy our land. That is the strategy of the Colombian Government directed towards us."</blockquote><br />(Interview with President of local Council of Communal Action)(4)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf0O5MKvDI/AAAAAAAAABE/a3NJMylr4p4/s1600-h/P2140031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091306440472837170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf0O5MKvDI/AAAAAAAAABE/a3NJMylr4p4/s320/P2140031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Environmental Health</strong><br /><br />Apart from guerilla slurs, the small scale miners are denounced by the Government and Anglo Gold Ashanti for working with outdated practices of health and safety and polluting the environment. It is certainly true that there have been many cases of mercury pollution to the rivers and streams. Minor accidents are frequent and basic equipment such as decent torches are mostly not provided by mine owners. These facts must, however, be considered in the context of a complete lack of State training and provision to alleviate the problems. What is more, the juntas de acción comunal (councils of communal action) regulate the local environment to protect water supplies and forest. The felling of a tree, for example, must be authorized by the Junta. There is no argument that large scale open pit mining will bring any improvements to the social and environmental wellbeing of Sur de Bolivar. On the contrary, it will displace and destroy - turning one of Colombia’s most untouched areas of natural beauty into a barren, scarred landscape.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfvzZMKu_I/AAAAAAAAAAk/O8kOi9HsciQ/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091301569979923442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfvzZMKu_I/AAAAAAAAAAk/O8kOi9HsciQ/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+127.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfwjJMKvAI/AAAAAAAAAAs/zaWv7pr_-_k/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+138.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091302390318676994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfwjJMKvAI/AAAAAAAAAAs/zaWv7pr_-_k/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+138.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In the Southern part of the region, coca fumigations have had the effect of destroying other crops that stand in its path. They have caused grave skin complaints to members of the local population and have contributed to nothing less than a humanitarian crisis.(5) It is the belief of many of that the government is using these fumigations to displace the populations to help facilitate the entrance of the multinational Kedahda.<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqfo2pMKu8I/AAAAAAAAAAM/OcwaDnAvxgs/s1600-h/P2120010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091293929233103810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqfo2pMKu8I/AAAAAAAAAAM/OcwaDnAvxgs/s320/P2120010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Tactics of Entrance</strong><br /><br />Beyond such crude methods of displacement the inhabitants of Sur de Bolívar are threatened by what they call an ‘economic blockade’. The multiple concessions applications of Kedahda is demoralizing the miners who lack the long-term legal muscle to defend their territorial integrity. In the long term this amounts to a form of economic encirclement. For the last three years La Junta of Mina Vieja have been in a legal battle to defend their mining titles. The company is now baring its full influence on the Government to reform the National Mining Code – thereby facilitation greater ease of entrance to the trans-nationals and threatening what little legal protection the small miners have. FEDAGROMISBOL complain of the use of figurehead third parties by Kedahda to avoid taxes and increase applications.<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfrjJMKu-I/AAAAAAAAAAc/LKCR7zQBQXE/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091296892760538082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfrjJMKu-I/AAAAAAAAAAc/LKCR7zQBQXE/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Social Composition</strong><br /><br />The population of the mining communities is transient and varied. Many workers are seasonal or contract workers from outside the region. Some men even come from Ecuador for a few months of each year - an impressive job hunt of some 900 kilometers. Society is very matriarchal and there are many young men who come in search of work. One human rights observer told me that the powers that be require drinkers to leave their machetes at home whilst on drinking sessions. The sessions are many, only on a Monday night is there no “rumba”. Football is a prominent pastime and is a way for neighboring villages to socialize. <br /><br />There are few deep roots in these settlements - which shift in a semi nomadic fashion across the mountains in search of gold or displacing themselves for the same. The oldest villages are only around 15 years of age. One striking feature is the lack of elderly people. The few elderly that you encounter are likely brought in by families from outside. “I don’t know what will happen to us when we get old”, mused one mother half joking. <br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf1CZMKvFI/AAAAAAAAABU/IbJw_8Z0-Kg/s1600-h/P6110009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091307325236100178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf1CZMKvFI/AAAAAAAAABU/IbJw_8Z0-Kg/s320/P6110009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Pueblo Organizado</strong><br /><br />It is not unthinkable that provision for the elderly can be created by these villages. After all, the people of Sur de Bolivar have a proud history of dignified existence in the face of State neglect. All public works (such as clearing paths and constructing communal facilities) are coordinated by the <em>Las Juntas</em> and carried out by citizens on a rotary basis. There are schools, churches, shops and nightclubs. Some villages work to organize their own security, registering the leavers and arrivers and their destinations as a form of “early communication” on possible disappearances.<br /><br />For most residents of these small scale mining communities, the only manifestation of the State is the National Army. It is ironic that the same forces that claim to protect the security and integrity of the civilians has brought so much fear, insecurity and human rights abuses. Their utilization appears to manifest itself as private security for the mining trans-nationals. In the words of one miner “the Government doesn’t want us to be here”. Amongst this frame of events, village meetings are no trivial affairs. Leaders make impassioned calls for unity and talk of the “cursed fear” that is breaking their morale. Nevertheless there is a high level of political consciousness and participation. The houses are fragile but the community is strong. Whether they are strong enough to weather the threats to their way of life depends on the success of the national and international mobilizations against Kedahda and the proposed reforms to the Mining Code.<br /><br />To find out how you can help contact ox_colombiasolidarity@hotmail.co.uk<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf_mZMKvOI/AAAAAAAAACc/c4nVV7-UyDI/s1600-h/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf_mZMKvOI/AAAAAAAAACc/c4nVV7-UyDI/s320/Colombia+2+Zona+Minera+-+105.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091318938827668706" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf4hJMKvKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/1wl_kjmrH7A/s1600-h/P6150022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091311152051960994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf4hJMKvKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/1wl_kjmrH7A/s320/P6150022.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf2WZMKvHI/AAAAAAAAABk/vMjaDWj6BfY/s1600-h/P6110034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091308768345111666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf2WZMKvHI/AAAAAAAAABk/vMjaDWj6BfY/s320/P6110034.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf2W5MKvII/AAAAAAAAABs/cJpre2UbUTU/s1600-h/P6140042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091308776935046274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqf2W5MKvII/AAAAAAAAABs/cJpre2UbUTU/s320/P6140042.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfzzpMKvBI/AAAAAAAAAA0/RaC0DPS1arc/s1600-h/P2120061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091305972321401874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/RqfzzpMKvBI/AAAAAAAAAA0/RaC0DPS1arc/s320/P2120061.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqfz0pMKvCI/AAAAAAAAAA8/QZprUjmuyyo/s1600-h/P2130016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091305989501271074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_d5fbgwtUySo/Rqfz0pMKvCI/AAAAAAAAAA8/QZprUjmuyyo/s320/P2130016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Sources</strong><br /><br />1/ Informe de la Comision de Segimiento y Monitereo a la Situacion de Derechos Humanos y Derechos Humanitario de la Comunidades Agromineros del Sur de Bolivar (6,7 Mayo 2007)<br /><br />2/ Comunicado de Comision de Interlocución del Sur de Bolivar, (CISB) Aguachica, Cesar, 23 y 24 de Junio<br /><br />3/ Declaracion Publica de La Asamblea General Extrodianaria de la Federación Agrominera del Sur de Bolivar (7 Mayo 2007)<br /><br />4/ Interview: Presidente Junta Accion Comunal Norte de Sur de Bolivar (10 Julio 2007)<br /><br />5/ CONTINUA CRISIS HUMANITARIA EN EL SUR DE BOLÍVAR,COMUNICADO A LA OPINIÓN PÚBLICA NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL. Municipio de Cantagallo, Sur de Bolívar, Magdalena Medio. La Asociación de Familias Campesinas del Sur de Bolívar, (AFCSB) y La Federación Agrominera del Sur de Bolívar, (FEDEAGROMISBOL),The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-65848464619655688702007-07-20T12:19:00.002-07:002007-07-20T12:20:39.414-07:00Univive! Privatization and Murder in the Universidad de Valle<em>*The following article part based on interviews with lecturers, students and student leaders of the University of Valle who’s names cannot be referenced for security purposes. Sources at bottom of feed.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-001-704416.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-001-703922.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>‘Education is a right of everyone - socially based. Equally, knowledge is a social entity without exclusion to age, sex and ethnicity.’</em> (El Educador)<br /><br />The Universidad de Valle (Univalle), South West Colombia, is known for its radical politics and tolerant liberal environment. It is also one of the most respected academic establishments in Latin America. As the third largest of Colombia´s 14 remaining public universities it has much to lose from privatization. It is currently baring the full weight by a state that seems determined to dismantle all public goods for the benefit of international `free trade ´ and the accumulation of private wealth. Cardboard coffins can be seen placed outside the campus as a reminder of the students who have been murdered because of their resistance against it.<br /><br /><strong>Neoliberal Resructuring</strong><br /><br />The Dean of the Humanities Faculty is very worried about the implications of the Ley de Transferencias (the legislation pertaining to the regions budgetary allowance). Between 2009 and 2019 these cuts will amount to 51.3 billion pesos. Higher education will be one of the services hardest hit.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-039-725443.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-039-724695.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The cuts make up part of the National Plan of Development 2006 – 10, a long term legislative package being pushed by the Uribe administration. Of particular worry to the staff is Article 38 of the Plan which will devolve the State’s responsibility to provide pensions at a ratio of 80:20 to the universities. The aim is to make the institutions self- managing and self-sustaining. The effect will be a financial burden around 1.4 billion pesos annually for the payment of pensions alone.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Temp-013-742263.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Temp-013-741626.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This burden will be transferred to the students in the form of higher fees. After graduating, students will be obliged to make a return payment as a form of education tax. Subsidies will also disappear. The subsequent rise in the cost of food, transport and housing is a big concern for the lower income students of this public university. <br /><br />These World Bank approved measures of decentralization are pending the approval of the new Free Trade Treaty with the United States. This treaty does not treat public education as an essential service; as such it will be submitted to the laws of the market. Private universities - as profitable enterprises - look set to flourish. Their public counterparts will experience larger class sizes and affected academic standards say FECODE (Federacion Colombiano de Educacion) - the national teachers’ federation.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Temp-010-736141.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Temp-010-735646.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>A Curriculum for 'Development'</strong><br /><br />Under the changes the curriculum will be re-orientated to technical, more ‘rentable´ vocations. In effect, the establishments will be reconstructed to create ‘qualified workers’. This is in keeping with the Free Trade Treaties ‘development´ of Colombia as an exporter of cheap primary goods with no value added. According to analyst Andrés García, we will see the devaluing of higher education “in as much as the priority will no longer be knowledge but to know how to do”. <br /><br /><strong>Resistance </strong><br /><br />In the month of May Univalle was in a state of "anormality" – a strike linked up to a national movement of protest against the changes. The period saw frequent police blockades, acts of intimidation and clashes with protesters. In spite of this students remained in the university carrying out other academic activities and holding regular forums on the subject of the privatization. On the 12 June the campus held a national assembly of students and teachers to debate the future of the university. Over 1000 packed into the auditorium to participate in an impressive example oratory and direct democracy. The assembly voted to change from "anormality" to "flexibility" - thereby reinstating classes, though without examinations. Uncertainty characterizes academic life here. <br /><br />As with universities across the country, Univalle staged a permanent encampment during the student/teacher strike. The aim of the <em>campamentalistas</em> is to form a peaceful resistance based on the principle of permanence in the face of the changes. They are also a space of self-education and the formation of methods of protest. One such method has been to embark busses and deliver a brief seminar of public awareness-raising. On the national Day of the Fallen Student 08 June over three thousand students made symbolic human chain around their campus. The atmosphere was jubilant and defiant. For one lecturer I interviewed this was an attempt “renovate the language of protest”. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-051-743660.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-051-742947.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>Provocation and Stigmatization</strong><br /><br />The concern of many is the threat of provocation from police violence and infiltrators. Student protest can be used as a pretext to close down the university thereby breaking the resistance as occurred with the Universidad Nacional in Bogota (4 June – 10 July), when the directorship instigated a forced vacation. In the worst case scenario the institution can be reopened with reforms imposed, as was the case in February 2006 with Universidad de Atlantico (Barranquilla). The establishment reopened with its staff drastically cut, fees raised by 1000% and many buildings and assets sold off. The justification for this closure was corruption. As such, Univalle maintains complete administrative transparency to avoid what one staff member described it as “dar papaya” (to give papaya fruit) or to tempt fate. <br /><br />To add to the sense of siege, the Government seems intent criminalizing the name of student protest. Alex is documenting the protests on his camera. He showed an image of the local Mayors publicity billboard that he found at a bus stop. It claimed that the local government was fighting terrorism and showed a large image of a capuche (masked protester) wearing a Ché Guevara T shirt and holding a rock in his hand. “They are associating students with terrorists for protesting with rocks”, he complained, “meanwhile they are entering our campus with rifles.” <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-052-778148.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-052-777554.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>Police Assassinate Students</strong><br /><br />Graffiti outside the campus reads `Danger - Police assassinating Students in the area’. In recent years, 3 local university students have been murdered by police and paramilitaries in an attempt to suppress social protest: Jonny Silva (22 September 2005), William Ortiz (10 April 2006) and Julian Hurtado (05 October 2006). There have been the frequent occurrences of police entering the campus grounds in armored vehicles and using violence against the students, carrying out searches and even burning possessions. This is in direct violation of the autonomy allotted to Colombian universities by their constitution.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-050-742843.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-050-742305.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>The three fallen students of Univalle</em><br /><br />I met the parents of Jonny Silva were very keen that I tell the people in my country to write to the Fiscalia (the Prosecutors Office) demanding that the security and rights of protesting students be respected. Their son was shot indiscriminately in the back by the heavily armed ESMAD public order squadron who had illegally entered the university grounds. He was unable to run from the Police as he had polio. Human rights groups in the city have recently been sending out early warnings on the presence of armed intelligence agents inside marches. On the 20 June, ESMAD entered the campus and violently reacted against protesters with crowd dispersal devices fired at head level. Several were injured and two were detained and later transferred to the local Police intelligence department. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-042-787451.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-042-786847.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><strong>“The Systematic Suppression of Civil Society in the Universities”</strong><br /><br /><em>“The militarization of the universities is both physical and symbolic. We have a heavy police presence around the ground and infiltration of intelligence and paramilitaries inside the grounds. On the other hand there are national service conditions that restrict access to courses and block graduations. What we are witnessing is the systematic suppression of civil society in the universities”</em> <br />(Student delivering a workshop on the Day of the Fallen Student 09 June, 2007).<br /><br />Since the murder of student councilor Julian Hurtado (by paramilitaries in October of last year), there have been acts of police violence, intimidation and stigmatization against student leaders in Univalle and its departmental branches. There have also been at least three death threats by the reinserted paramilitary group Aguilas Negras (Black Eagles) that has resulted in the recipients having to leave the region. I am told by members of the student council that this has had marked effect on the strength and effectiveness of their organisation. Nationally, the last 18 months has seen the murder of 8 student leaders, the displacement of more than 20 students, and the imprisonment of 10 students accused of rebellion. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Temp-009-735553.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Temp-009-735054.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>'All species evolve in Colombia except the rights: Police assassinate students' </em><br /><br />Teachers are also frequently found on paramilitary hit lists in Colombia. Indeed the highest number of murdered Colombian trade unionists belong to this profession. Univalle’s teachers' body CORPUV have not been immune to the threats. One lecturer described this as nothing less than the “suppression of critical thinking”.<br /><br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br /> <br />Resisting the dismantling of these most cherished of public goods, is the most vibrant contemporary mobilizations of social protest in Colombia. Their creativity and consciousness is inspiring to observers from countries with a more depoliticized student population. Yet the changes, if successful, will serve to neutralize one of the last bastions of free thinking Colombian civil society; one step closer to the cultivation of a passive workforce of obedience and productiveness. Stand against this and you may well be met be met by State led methods of oppression, complemented by more illicit, para-state structures. The relationship is perhaps best described by the Spanish metaphor - ‘like dirt under the fingernails’.<br /><br />In one sense this is just one more symptom of a State that seems intent on rolling back what little state provision is available to the 50% of Colombians who live below the poverty line. Today the stakes could not be higher. The students of Univalle are at the forefront of a national movement to save popular, public education in Colombia. The time to express our solidarity with them is now.<br /><br /><strong>Please write to your local Colombian Embassy demanding that the security and rights of the student protests be respected…or do something more imaginative:<br /><br />In the UK, also send your e-mail to Colombian Embassy: mail@colombianembassy.co.uk with a copy to info@colombiasolidarity.org.uk <br /><br />If you are in the USA, these are the Colombian Ambassador's contact points in Washington, DC: <br />Sr. Luis Alberto Moreno <br />Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia <br />2118 Leroy Place NW <br />Washington, D.C. 20008 <br />Teléfono: +1 (202) 387 8338 <br />Fax: +1 (202) 232 8643 <br />E-mail: emwas@colombiaemb.org</strong><br /><br /><strong>DEATH THREAT</strong><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Escanear0023-746913.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Escanear0023-746910.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>'We call on the Student Council of Palmira, Univalle, not to continue with its activities that only serve to fuel this war and plunge the country into disgrace.<br /><br />This call is for you to abandon the city and not continue carrying out marches or closing the university - depriving the students and workers of their fundamental rights.<br /><br />If you continue you will invoke THE CONSEQUENCES, especially NAME and NAME. IF YOU DONT ABANDON THE COUNTRY WE ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU DISAPPEAR.<br /><br />We are not going to allow that you, alongside the Polo Democratico [party] bring these guerilla rats here.<br /><br />We await for you to adhere to these orders, open the university and leave.<br /><br />FIGHTING FOR DEMOCRACY<br />FREE COLOMBIA<br /><br />AGUILAS NEGRAS<br />PALMIRA BLOCK'</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-053-778720.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-053-778240.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-048-780372.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-048-779558.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-049-781204.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-049-780473.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-045-730961.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-045-730339.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-047-731596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-047-731111.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-044-788058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-044-787569.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-041-726045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-041-725539.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Sources</strong><br /><br />ACCION URGENTE: AGRESION Y DETENCION A ESTUDIANTES DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE POR PARTE DEL ESMAD, (Fundación Comité Solidaridad con Presos Políticos Sección Valle, 21 junio 2007)<br /><br />Siguen las amenazas y los hostigamientos contra el movimiento estudantil (Comunicado a la Comunidad Universitaria y Comunidad en General, Junio 2007)<br /><br />Alerta Temprana: Hostigamientos en Contra las Lideres Estudiantiles (SINTRAUNICOR, CPDH, CUT, Santiago de Cali 2007)<br /><br />Ideas: Boletín de Opinión (Facultad de Humanidades, UNIVALLE, no.4 Junio 2007)<br /><br />La Palabra: Periodico Cultural de la Universidad de Valle (Junio 2006)<br /><br />Posicón de los Departamentos Frente al Proyecto de Acto Legislativo que Midifica el SGP (Federaci{on Nacional de los Departamentos, 2007, www.fecode.com.co)<br /><br />‘Unificar el Movimiento Social para Defender la Educacion Publica y Popular’, El Educador Caucano (No.24, Marzo/Abril 2007)<br /><br />'The Universities: Boosting the Fight Against Tyranny', Gloria Florez, www.pacocol.org/es/Inicio/Archivo_de_noticias/Mayo07/134.htmThe Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-39213309867341006852007-07-20T12:19:00.001-07:002007-07-20T12:19:39.619-07:00Florída: Mass Detention and Brutal Suppression of Social ProtestThis is a pictoral account of a day of social protest (22/06) in Florida, Valle de Cauca, after 27 civillians were arbitrarily detained the night before. Most were dragged from their homes, passers -by and youths were amongst those gagged, beaten and forcefully questioned in the Police station. The local Authorities have released two documents: one (dated 21/96) declaring that any demonstration against the proposed new waste plant in the town must have the authorization of the local Government Secretary, and another (delivered to ever household that night) naming 10 community leaders as `terrorists, militants and guerillas´ for organizing the protest that day. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-006-799385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-006-798892.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>This youth is fifteen years of age and was beaten by Police in the station the night before who were demanding information.</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-012-795512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-012-795027.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>This youth is 16 year of age and was arbitrarily taken to the Police Station the previous night 21/06 and beaten</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-013-796132.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-013-795615.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>This youth is 16 year of age and was arbitrarily taken to the Police Station the previous night 21/06 and beaten</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-010-789889.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-010-789108.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>This youth is 16 year of age and was arbitrarily taken to the Police Station the previous night 21/06 and beaten</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-011-790547.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-011-790042.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>This youth is 16 year of age and was arbitrarily taken to the Police Station the previous night 21/06 and beaten</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-008-733078.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-008-732608.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>Individuals photoing and videoing assembly of civillians from the balcony of the Alcaldia (Mayores Office).</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-003-732516.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-003-731862.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>The arrival of the heavily armed ESMAD squadron to the Alcaldia (Mayores Builing)at 10:15 caused panic and confusion, dispersing the peacefull assembly of concerned townspeople.</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-005-788312.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-005-787836.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>The arrival of the heavily armed ESMAD squadron to the Alcaldia (Mayores Builing)at 10:15 caused panic and confusion, dispersing the peacefull assembly of concerned townspeople.</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-017-787726.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-017-787178.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>11:30 22/06 Police forcefully evicted peacefull protesters from the main plaza in an apparent act of provocation.</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-018-700127.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-018-799484.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>This vehicle had no markings of identification</em><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-014-782776.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-014-782264.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>11:40 Police advance on protesters through town</em>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-67821487930756328932007-07-20T12:18:00.001-07:002007-07-20T12:18:59.953-07:00Mining Community in Assembly, CaucaSUAREZ, CAUCA, SOUTH WEST COLOMBIA<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/6y7junio07046-750633.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/6y7junio07046-750318.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />ESMAD Public order squadron brought into the town. Believed by many to be a form of provocation and intimidartion. Why was this vehicle without any markings of identification? <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-011-733600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-011-733097.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-017-734327.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-017-733718.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />WE DEMAND<br />- Respect of our rights as indigenous communities, peasants and afrodescendants<br />- Respect of the rights recognised in Convention 169 of the International Work Organisation. As such the State may not make resources existent in our territory disposable without consulting th communities.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-020-722725.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-020-722109.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-013-723226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-013-722816.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-026-709244.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-026-708504.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-023-709813.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-023-709332.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-030-733155.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-030-732533.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Gold mining activities, damm to the rear. Army base on adjacent mountain (out of shot)<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-028-733787.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-028-733293.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-034-770417.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-034-769279.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-032-771202.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-032-770525.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-53281476413423013582007-07-20T12:16:00.002-07:002007-07-20T12:18:06.068-07:00Projecting La Memoria in South West Colombia<em>Trujillo´s challenge of resistance for life. digniy and the fight against impunity.</em><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-063-746556.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-063-746088.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It is Friday in Trujillo, Valle de Cauca and a collection of youths are finishing a week’s work of repairs to the sculptures of their Garden of Memorial. In this small town over 350 have been assassinated or forcefully disappeared in a plague of paramilitary and state violence. Two more disappeared the night before I arrived in the town. There are believed to be many more victims that have not been reported due to fear of reprisals, one relative described it as the “<em>law of silence</em>”. But the victims of Trujillo refuse to let the memory die. Their hillside memorial shouts loudly across the town below. The psychology behind it is as audacious as it is ambitious.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-057-747178.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-057-746673.jpg" border="0" /></a>The town lies in a mountainous drug trafficking corridor linking the east of the country to the Pacific port of Buenaventura. According to those I spoke to, there exists a powerful local “mafia” of paramilitaries, narco-traffickers, landowners, and local political and armed functionaries. It is common knowledge that the State is working hand in glove with more illicit actors and there are many accounts of the army brigade, based in neighboring Buga, entering the town by jeep at night and rounding up victims.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-069-750221.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-069-749560.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><strong>Impunity</strong><br /><br />After the massacre carried out by the Colombian Army in 1990, Trujillo became the first Colombian case to be brought before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It is becoming increasingly necessary to seek trans-national paths to justice while the state maintains a <em>de facto </em>policy of impunity. The much hated ‘Justice and Peace Law´ offers knock down sentences, releases and special prisons for paramilitary leaders in exchange for the appearance of `demobilization´. The process has been condemned for not meeting international standard on truth, justice, and reparation by countless national and international bodies including Amnesty International. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-058-754717.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-058-754017.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Concrete sculptures depict the lives and work of the victims below a plaque with their names. Most of the artists are children or relatives of the dead. Many of the tombs are empty (save personal artifacts and gifts) as the victims have either disappeared or mutilated beyond recognition. Ágata was visiting the memorial with her grandaughter. One evening in 1989 her 18 year old son disappeared and they were never able to find a body. Every night she asks herself where he is. Ágata is by no means alone in Colombia, a country which has seen 40,000 political assassinations and over 7,000 forced disappearances since 1980.<br /><br /><strong>Resistence</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-062-755314.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-062-754816.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Towards the back of the garden stands the 7 countries wall; a part circle wall that links up with 7 other walls worldwide to make a whole. Inset to this monument are 7 boxes that once contained artifacts from the respective countries. Paramilitaries have since shot through the glass and taken the items. The mourners see this as proof that the garden presents a threat to their reign of terror.<br /><br />The late parish priest, Father Tiberio Fernández Mafla, is a heroic and well remembered figure in the town. In his final Sunday service he said “If my blood helps Trujillo to dawn and flower in peace, I will gladly spill it.” By Tuesday he was found dead, beheaded and chopped into several pieces. Chainsaws are a favorite for the “paras”. Another family member told how one victim was made to drink bleach. Methods of torture are brutal and designed to act as social deterrents.<br /><br /></p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-003-725190.jpg" border="0" /><br />Memorial coordinator Sister Maritze has seen many corpses in her time. She has an inspiring energy and warmth. “We are fighting to keep the memory alive and fighting against the impunity” she exclaimed. In Colombia this is effectively a political act. Perhaps this explains why this short, grey haired nun is having to change e mail accounts for the fourth time because her communications are being intercepted and blocked.<br /><br /><strong>Recording <em>La Memoria</em></strong><br /><br />Much of the work of Colombian human rights NGOs is concerned with recording these crimes for posterity, justice and the hope that they will not be repeated. This is the thinking behind the ambitious multi-volume project `Colombia Nunca Mas´ (Colombia Never Again). The books chart the atrocities of the State and paramilitaries between 1965 and 2000 and frame them in their historical and social context. Each 500 plus page volume covers a zone that corresponds to a brigade of the Colombian Army. The crimes of the insurgency are not included because it is the job of the State to investigate these – who otherwise investigates state terror? The latest such project is the Banco de Datos (Data Bank), a regionalized, multi- organisational project to gather and present contemporary breeches of human rights (by all parties) for access on the internet. The reliance on newspaper reports has traditionally proved both incomplete and one sided. All too often the tendency is to act as a mouthpiece for statements from the Army command.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-068-750847.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-068-750316.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Frederico coordinates youth arts projects. I met him at the opening of La Galería de Memoria Padre Tiberio Fernández Mafla (The Galery of Memory – named after the mytred priest of Trujillo). Frederico was one of two survivors of a group of 11 who were kidnapped and tortured. His hands bear the scars of being fed into a coffee processing machine. “But well, I go on living“, he smiled “and now with greater purpose and inspiration”. The Gallery is a space for the historical memory of crimes against humanity in South West Colombia. It is sustained by victims and human rights groups. Using artistic expression, testimonies and photos it aims to fight against impunity and for social justice. The psychological and emotional benefit of this is obvious. During the ceremony one of the victims (standing next to a photo of her murdered father) gave a tearful thank you:<br />“Spaces like this are incredibly important for us so that the memory lives on. We simply cannot carry on in the absence of justice without your solidarity”<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-059-784921.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Trujillo´s challenge of resistance for life. digniy and the fight against impunity.</em><br /><strong><em>Reparación Integral</em></strong><br /><br />The aspirations of these brave individuals do not stop with la memoria or even la justicia. They are also demanding integral reparation: psychosocial, political, organizational, economic, environmental and cultural. The National Movement of Victims of State Crimes believes that reparation should reflect the completeness of the harm suffered by the victim. One the one hand it should understand the need of individuals for indemnification and re-adaptation. Conversly, it should assure more general measures of reparation - such as satisfactory guarantees that the atrocities will not be repeated.<br /><br />These symbolic and artistic edifications of memory amount to a potent dynamic of resistance. Far from being negative and backward looking they are essentially positive, based on concepts of solidarity and hope. By refusing to forget, the victims of South West Colombia are bravely projecting their right to truth, justice and reparation – not just for themselves but for those who have died and those who have still to live.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-008-784315.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-056-726485.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-June-056-725863.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-46948386899734689192007-07-20T12:16:00.001-07:002007-07-20T12:16:54.979-07:00Buenaventura Assembly ReportWHY ARE THEY KILLING US AND FOR WHAT?<br /><br />COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC AUDIENCES: ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC<br /><br /><a href="http://www.renacientes.org/"><em>Por Informacion en español</em></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6820-796316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6820-795943.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Buenaventura is experiencing a grave humanitarian crisis. On Thursday 31 May, 800 people took to its streets to demand justice and the vindication of the right to life, liberty and dignity in their territory. The following day an even greater number packed into the Assembly of the Republic for the Public Audience of Victims, an historic event for the city. La Guarda Indigena (Indigenous Guard) of the local Nasa tribe matched the police in equal numbers. Alongside the throng of journalists and national and international human rights bodies, were a commission from the European Union and a representative from the US Embassy. The slogan of the day was “why are they killing us and for what?”<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6816-798682.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6816-798097.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><strong>Violence</strong><br /><br />Indeed Los Bonaverenses have good cause to ask this question. In 2006, human rights groups put the number of murders in the city at between 400 and 600. It continues to be the most violent city in Colombia with massacres, disappearances, torture and forced displacement counting amongst the many violations committed against its people. So far in 2007 there have been 265 victims. As the most important portal town on the countries resource rich pacific coast, it is a key point of strategy for the States programme of global trade. It is also the battleground both for illicit armed groups, narco-traffickers and powerful economic interests. What is more, there is an added racial dynamic to the extreme poverty and open violence that the overwhelmingly afro-descendent population of Buenaventura is suffering. <br /><br /><strong>Testimonies </strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6832-717072.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6832-716720.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>The Audience gives safety in numbers to the many families giving testimony to human rights abuses. Many, however, are still sensitive to the possibility of reprisals. Along the walls are displays and photos telling of the many massacres. One such display showed the horrifically mutilated victims of the ´Football Massacre´. On the 19th April, 2005, 24 young local Afro-Colombians were tricked into leaving for a fictitious football tournament. Twelve were later found in a river while the remaining twelve are still missing. A spokesman of the Proceso de Comunidades Negras, Naka Mandinga, gave testimony to the murder of his relatives and asked why his family were being systematically persecuted and murdered. One mother told how paramilitaries entered her house and murdered her two sons. Her tears were reflected by the faces of other mothers in the audience. <br /><br /><strong>No Justice </strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6831-737159.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6831-736800.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Very few of the victims of the crimes have any hope of getting justice. Corruption and state links to paramilitary terror mean they few have faith in the Police. Militarization of the slums and surrounding estuaries has brings fear, silence and impunity. Liberal Senator, Piada Cordova, promised to denounce, in the Senate, the crimes of the paramilitaries and the accompanying crimes of the States armed actors. The final speaker looked directly at the (exclusively white) collection of senior officers sitting uncomfortably at the front of the auditorium. “The police are not necessarily a force of protection”, he said “they are also a force for risk, threat and destabilization”. <br /><br /><strong>Poverty</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6833-736734.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6833-736387.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Official and institutional declarations on the violence in Buenaventura highlight the role of narco-trafficking and organized crime. But for local priest, Father Augustine this is a form of discrimination. “It is an excuse for subduing the people”, he said “it is a form of social control and social cleansing”, Indeed the State has failed to provide many alternatives for those who are falling into armed groups or the cultivation and trafficking of cocaine. The Assembly heard how unemployment is well over 40% and 49% of children do not have access to education. In some areas there is an average of 8 – 13 people per house. Health is another basic provision that is severely lacking; the rate of infant mortality is calculated to be between 10% and 50% above the national average. <br /><br /><strong>Exploitation</strong><br /><br />Far from remedying this, the States “development” of the region to suit the dictates of its macro- economic strategy is deepening poverty and misery. Draconian legislation such as the Ley Forestal (Forestry Law) accelerates the exploitation of primary forest and waterways. Meanwhile villages along the port’s tributary rivers are stripped of collective titles to ancestral fishing waters. Mono-cropping such as African Palm plantations bring forced displacement at the hands of paramilitary groups for the benefit of trans-national capital.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6842-747971.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6842-747561.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Neglect</strong><br /><br />The time for the Colombian Government to fulfill its obligation to protect the people of Buenaventura from extreme poverty and illegal armed groups is long overdue. “We are a peaceful and hardworking people” said one speaker. Yet their geo-strategic positioning puts them in the line of fire of powerful interests. To compound this, their socio-political status as a discriminated minority gives them little defense. In this respect their plight is typical of other afro-descendent populations in Colombia who, along with indigenous peoples, bare a disproportionate share of the violence in this war. One banner perhaps best made sense of the `ethno genocide´: ´We Afro-Bonaverenses are marked out for our race and pursued for our riches´. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6846-757787.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6846-757389.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Zona Marginal performing after the event<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6825-747466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6825-747111.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Choral group, mothers of victims, opening the event<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6821-796749.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_6821-796403.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><blockquote><strong>Sources</strong><br />ETNOCIDIO EN BUENAVENTURA (Bogotá D.C - Edición No. 162, Mayo 5 de 2007) www.planetapaz.org<br />http://www.buenaventurasi.com/afrocolombianos.html<br />http://www.renacientes.org <br />Por la Vida, la Libertad y la Dignidad en nuestro Territorio<br />(22 May 2007, Organizaciones Convocantes)<br />Territorio Pacifico Boletín (1, March 2006)<br />Cocaine Wars Turn Port Into Colombia's Deadliest City, Simon Romero (New York Times, May 22, 2007) <br />Massacre in Buenaventura, Urgent Action, Andy Higginbottom (02 May, 2005)</blockquote>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-80723727466946466832007-07-20T12:15:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:16:03.411-07:00Gold Mining in Colombia; Cauca Assembly in Resistance<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-630-705519.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-630-704592.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>Introduction</strong> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-617-714366.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-617-713199.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Buenos Aires is a small Afro-Colombian mining community an hours drive by jeep from the nearest town in Cauca, South West Colombia. The hall of the local college is filled with a variety of faces from the municipio of Suarez – human rights workers, campesinos, Afro-Colombians and members of local indigenous groups such as CRIC (The Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca). One thing they have in common is that they are all extremely concerned about the existence in their territory of the mining company Kedahda. Paramilitary violence arrived in this part of Cauca two years ago - the same time as the company. It is currently seeking to reform the countries Mining Code which will ease the exploitation of mining resources. This will be at the expense of the small mining companies, the environment and the rights of the local communities. This forum is one of the first steps in exercising the right to life, dignity and permanence in the shadow of this mining giant.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/AngloGodlAshantiGlobalOperations-756533.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/AngloGodlAshantiGlobalOperations-756522.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>Blood soaked Colombian mining operations do not appear on Anglo Gold Ashanti´s oficial map</em><br /><br />London/Johannesburg based Kedahda is 99.98% owned by Anglo Gold Ashanti (the World´s second largest Gold mining company) The company is implicated in grave human rights violations across Colombia. In turn, Anglo Gold Ashanti is 42% owned by the former apartheid Anglo-American (the London stock exchange listed giant that declared an operating profit of US $9.8 billon for 2006). With a subsoil rich in basic minerals, Colombia is considered one of the `new frontiers´ for the mining industry. Already there are approximately 4,261 gold mines, 191 platinum and 10 emerald concessions.<br /><br /><strong>Reform of the Mining Code</strong><br /><br />The reform to the Mining Code will favour applications from companies with economic and technical advantages. The Special Reserve Zones (protected environmental or ethnic territories) will be opened up only to macro- strategic mineral projects. As such, they will be handed to the biggest investors. To facilitate this, public resources such as water and transport will be made freely available even if it is at the expense of local competitors and inhabitants. Taxation will also be flexiblised; if no deposits are found all taxes for the period of exploration will be dropped. To compound this the reform will further repress Colombia´s famously brief prior consultation process. This amounts to a clear violation of the right to territory and participation for countless communities across the country. Meanwhile the inhabitants of Cauca flounder. The day before (19th May) social movements in the department declared a permanent assembly of the people. It´s opening statement denounced corruption, underinvestment in health, education and infrastructure and the misappropriation of their resources to benefit foreign capital.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-625-702058.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-625-700221.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>New Free Trade Treaty</strong><br /><br />The new changes link up closely to the new Free Trade Treaty between Colombia and the United States. In November 2005 the Minister of Mines and Energy, Luis Ernesto Mejía, talked of “an enormous world of opportunities that is opened up to the energy and mining sector with Treaty". However, these opportunities look set to benefit only the large trans-nationals whilst destroying any form of protection to small scale Colombian producers. All the changes (privatization/ deregulation/ trade liberalization) will be imposed by the security forces of the state. On a daily basis we are now seeing protest and mobilization against the treaty from all sectors of Colombian civil society. Firma Cavellier de Abogados - a lawyers firm involved in the signing of the treaty in Bogotá - own the 0.02% of Kedahda that does not belong by Anglo Gold Ashanti.<br /><br /><strong>Black Gold</strong><br /><br />Juan Andrés is an Afro-Colombian in his 20´s. He pointed to the largest mine in the community across the valley. “The environmental damage is wholesale”, he told the delegates, “water, land, air and social composition”. By social composition he is referring to the militarization and para-militarization of the community that comes with the arrival of large scale mining operations. Accompanying this are problems of violence, prostitution, inequality and changes of surname which break social cohesion. “Many of us have been relocated to Cali”, said another villager, (Cali is a city three hour drive away) “We are a rich country but there is so much poverty”.<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/MiningtoDisplacement-719383.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/MiningtoDisplacement-719354.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>Kedahda Mining and Forced Displacement; Only in the red dot do the two not correlate</em><br /><br /><br />Indeed the correlation between Kedahda´s operations in Cauca and paramilitary violence is by no means an isolated incident. Jorge Molano, a Bogotá based human rights lawyer, told how in 70% of the municipalities where Kedahda have worked there have torturing, disappearances and massacres at the hands of these groups; crimes against humanity that total in their thousands. What is more, in 335 of the 336 municipalities people have been forcibly expelled for the appropriation of their land. Anglo Gold Ashanti and the mining industry at large have a shameful track record in contributing to Colombia´s 3.5 million internally displaced.<br /><br /><strong>Sur de Bolivar</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-637-736151.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-637-735144.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>In one of the talks a representative recounted the experience in his department of Sur de Bolivar. Since 2004 Kedahda have opened up operations in this department too. The representative told how the company now owns 150,000 hectares across Colombia. From 1996, Anglo Gold and Conquistador Mines found gold deposits in Sur de Bolivar, opening up one of the bloodiest chapters of Colombian history. Paramilitary incursions have been supported on land, in the air, and in the waterways by the 5th Brigade of the Colombian Army. Blockades cut off delivery of food and medicine vital to the survival of the communities. The results were thousands dead and over 20,000 (officially) displaced. <br />“Our schools and hospitals have been burned to the ground three times”, he said, “and why? Because of the resources on our land.”<br />It was a brutal warning from history and a heroic tale of resistance. The assembly became animated by his presentation.<br />“If we organise and believe in ourselves we can do many things”.<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/MiningtoVictims-719448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/MiningtoVictims-719433.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>Kedahda Mining Operations (Blue areas - victims of accompanying violence)</em><br /><br /><strong>Workshops</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-638-715475.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Late-May-638-714502.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The forum resolved to strengthen the interethnic and community bodies. Nationally and internationally, the Assembly will seek alliances with politicians and organisations such as human rights NGOs. A march in Bogotá is also being planned. The forum forms part of a strategy of local and regional workshops that will culminate in a national forum later in the year. The proposals of this will be handed to `institutional and non institutional spaces´. Ultimately the aim is to counter-propose the reform of the Mining Code. <br /><br /><strong>Conclusión</strong><br /><br />Perhaps one of the most positive things to come from the forum is the fortification of solidarity and organization between the indigenous groups and the Afro – Colombians. Traditionally there is not much trust between the two groups in the area. Event organizers and human rights NGO La Red de Hermandad (The Network of Brotherhood) believe it is necessary to confront the problem together and form a collective strategy through the exchanging of experiences and ideas. Through mobilization, in the widest sense possible, these communities hope to achieve permanence in the face of Kedahdas ominous advances. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Imagen1MiningBefore-709688.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Imagen1MiningBefore-709685.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>Before Kedahda mine</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Imagen3MiningAfter-730203.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Imagen3MiningAfter-730200.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>After Kedahda mine</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Imagen2MiningAfter-747641.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Imagen2MiningAfter-747636.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Sustainable development" Anglo Gold Ashanti only use open pit mines</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For more info on this topic visit <a href="http://www.minesandcommunities.org/">www.minesandcommunities.org</a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-4162478116432148142007-07-20T12:14:00.001-07:002007-07-20T12:15:07.615-07:00US Protester Confront Colombian President (Video)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRc8EYov7X0<br /><br />Here in Colombia the media dutyfully shows Bush´s stategically timed photo calls with Uribe. They come at an extemely sensitive time for both presidents. The new Free Trade Treaty is being discussed in Washington and the <em>parapolitica</em> or ´Para-Gate´ corruption scandal is reaching the highests levels of the Colombian Government and exposing links between the State / multinational and paramilitary death squads.<br /><br />Big shout out to the US protesters who are confronting Uribe on his human rights record and a big thankyou to the reader who send through the link to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRc8EYov7X0">this video...</a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-9771467983126873772007-07-20T12:14:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:15:03.713-07:00US Protester Confront Colombian President (Video)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRc8EYov7X0<br /><br />Here in Colombia the media dutyfully shows Bush´s stategically timed photo calls with Uribe. They come at an extemely sensitive time for both presidents. The new Free Trade Treaty is being discussed in Washington and the <em>parapolitica</em> or ´Para-Gate´ corruption scandal is reaching the highests levels of the Colombian Government and exposing links between the State / multinational and paramilitary death squads.<br /><br />Big shout out to the US protesters who are confronting Uribe on his human rights record and a big thankyou to the reader who send through the link to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRc8EYov7X0">this video...</a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-52313531683951757372007-07-20T12:13:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:14:13.273-07:00PEACE COMMUNITY MURDER<strong>PARAMILITARIES MURDER FRANCISCO PUERTA OF THE PEACE COMMUNITY OF SAN JOSE DE APARTADO<br />14 MAY 2007 </strong><em>Por declraracion completa en castellano vea <a href="http://www.cdpsanjose.org/">Peace Community website</a></em><br /><br />Inspite of the arrival of delagates worldwide for San Jose de Apartado in late March, the peace community has suffered a further assasination at the hand of paramilitaries. Since then there have been several well publicized threats against the lives of the community members living in this humanitarian zone. <br /><br />The muder follows a sting of threats, arrests and violations of the physical and phsycological well being of community members and associates in the proceeding days. These acts were carried out by groups going under the name of Aguilas Negras (a remobilized paramilitary group). All the occurances are documented, dated and timed by the community and continue under impunity from the State both locally and nationally.<br /> <br /><strong>The Community sends the following message and call for action: </strong><br /><br />The continuous deaths, aggressions and threats against our process have not stopped. All the forms of destruction are utilized against us by paramilitaries in joint action with the police to exert pressure, threats and death. Ours historic duty, in the search for respect of civillians in armed conflict, is to give testimony to the facts so that humanity is able to some day to judge these terrorist acts. Again we have to tell of a new murder in violation of the humanitarian zone and against our community: <br /><br />- Today Monday, 14 from May to the 7:00 to.m., FRANCISCO PUERTA (campesino leader and excoordinador of the humanitarian zone of La Vereda Miramar) was murdered in the front of the Apartadó Bus Terminal by paramilitaries. Two paramilitaries approached him near the store in front of the Terminal where was seated and shot him several times. They subsequently left in peace despite the police presence that surrounded the location. <br /><br />The same today at 7:30 am. a group of six paramilitaries in civillian clothing were seen with long weapon in el Mangolo. Another four civillian paramilitaries were found with short weapons in Tierra Amarillo. The Military and Police they were found only two minutes from this paramilitary presence. <br /><br />- On May 13, 10:40: a trader from Apartado arrived to San Josesito to buy some pigs. There he conveyed a message that paramilitaries in the neighborhoods of Apartadó were saying that they were going to carry out a massacre in the Peace Community. <br /><br />...These facts show the drive of paramilitary murderer that the government tries to hide. They give testimony to a new wave of murders against the leaders of the humanitarian zones and of community members. <br /><br />This drive of extermination against the community from the Government has again failed since we do not go back before our principles of peace, we will continue firmer than ever. Alongside national and international solidarity we are further animated to continue in transparency to search for an alternative and just world. The work and memory of FRANCISCO gives us force to continue ahead, our greatest sympathy goes to his children and family. <br /><br />PEACE COMMUNITY OF SAN JOSE DE APARTADO <br />Mayo 14 de 2007 <br /><br /><strong>Please direct denouncements </strong>to the followiing authorities demanding that the Colombian Government guarentees the right to life of the community members and recognises it integrity. <br /><br />Dr. Álvaro UribeVélez - Presidente de la Republica <br />E-mail: auribe@presidencia.gov.co <br />Fax: 57 1 566 2071 <br /><br />Dr. Francisco Santos. - Vicepresidente de Colombia <br />E-mail: fsantos@presidencia.gov.co <br /><br />Dr. Carlos Franco - Director del Programa de Derechos Humanos de Vicepresidencia<br />E-mail: cefranco@prsidencia.gov.co, fibarra@presidencia.gov.co <br /><br />Dr. Michael Frühling - Oficina del Alto Comisionado de Naciones Unidas para los derechos humanos. <br />E-mail: oacnudh@hcrh.org.co <br />Fax: 57 1 6293637 <br /><br />COLOMBIA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN ADDS: <br /><br /><strong>In the UK</strong>, also send your e-mail to Colombian Embassy: mail@colombianembassy.co.uk with a copy to info@colombiasolidarity.org.uk <br /><br /><strong>If you are in the USA</strong>, these are the Colombian Ambassador's contact points in Washington, DC: <br />Sr. Luis Alberto Moreno <br />Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia <br />2118 Leroy Place NW <br />Washington, D.C. 20008 <br />Teléfono: +1 (202) 387 8338 <br />Fax: +1 (202) 232 8643 <br />E-mail: emwas@colombiaemb.orgThe Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-53322681756722338822007-07-20T12:12:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:13:13.675-07:00International Workers Day Cali - In their Own Words<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0791-786789.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0791-786359.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Alerta! Alerta! Alerta que camina, la lucha popular en America Latina!<br />Y venga! Y venga! Y venga compañeros! que aqui esta peleando la dignidad del pueblo!"</em><br />"Look out! Look out! Look out here comes the popular struggle in Latin America!<br />And come, come, come compañeros, for here is the fight of the dignity of the people!"<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-007-746273.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-007-745893.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Aqui no stamos todos, faltan los presos politicos!"</em> <br />"Whe are not all here, we lack the political prisoners!"<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0769-746993.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0769-746530.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-014-746382.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-014-745956.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Uribe! fascista! usted es terrorista!´"</em><br />"[President]Uribe! Fascist! You are a terrorist!"<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-022-727061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-022-726479.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0772-726343.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0772-725875.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Militares, paramilitares la misma mierda son - matan la gente y dicen que no!"</em><br />"Military, paramilitaries are the same shit - they kill the people then say they didn´t!"<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-044-773721.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-044-773716.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0810-773423.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0810-773051.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Queremos chicha! queremos maize! Multinacionales fuera del pais!"</em><br />"We want chicha! [indigenous drink], we want maize! Multinationals out of the country!" <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-041-733488.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-041-733054.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Por el derecho de la ladera a ser ciudad, Mesa civica de Ladera, presente! presente! presente!"</em><br /><br />"For the right of the mountainside to be part of the city"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-040-732959.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-040-732484.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>"No olvidamos, no perdonamos, no reconcilliamos, verdad! justicia! y reparacion integral! Movimientos de los victimos del estado, presente! presente! presente!"</em> <br /><br />"We can´t forget, we can´t forgive, we can´t reconcile, truth! justice! and complete reparation! Movement of the Victims of State Crimes, presente! presente! presente!" <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-071-755266.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-071-754896.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-061-754824.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-061-754206.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> ´[President]URIBE PARAMILITARY´<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-073-796921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-073-796079.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-072-795997.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-072-795507.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>"<em>Aplauda! Aplauda! No dejé de aplaudí! Gobierno terrorista, se va tener que ir!"</em><br />"Clap! Clap! and dont stop clapping! Terrorist Government must go!"<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-079-780815.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-079-780313.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-074-780211.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-074-779751.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-080-713301.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-080-712665.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-083-713950.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-083-713400.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />"MILITARES ASSESINOS!!!"<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0783-786232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0783-785744.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"El pueblo lo dicen y tienen la razon - Uribe, Mancurso, la msima mierda son!"</em><br />"The people say it and they are right, Uribe [President] and Mancurso [paramilitary leader] are the same shit!"<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-062-765808.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-062-765054.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-033-766609.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/1-Mayo-033-765917.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>[On the privatisation of Cali´s public health service]<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0857-706827.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0857-706383.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0929-733188.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0929-732671.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"Los detenidos politicos no son terroristas, son luchadores del pueblo"</em><br />"The political prisoners are not terrorists, they are fighters of the people!"<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IM000232-747454.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IM000232-746956.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>"El pueblo unido, jamas será vencido!"</em><br />"The people united will forever be victorious!"<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0680-732568.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/IMG_0680-732119.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>May Day Message of Solidarity - Cali, Colombia - Oxford UK</strong><br /><br />From the Comité of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, Cali Colombia, we send a sincere message of solidarity to the workers of Oxford and the Oxford and Districts Trades Council. We have not forgotten your struggle, like our struggle to obtain justice and equality for all. In this way we give our solidarity to your fight and we unite with you as companions even though a sea and thousands of miles separate us.<br /><br />In Colombia as in England, we are suffering the effects of mass privatization of our public services. Not only public goods are being privatised, but our culture, environment and our system of justice. In Colombia people die at the doors of hospitals because they do not have the economic funds to pay for a system of health that the Sate has left in the hands of private entities. The strategy of this dynamic is to turn around the guarantees of social wellbeing and to increase profits at any cost. Those that are not able to pay are left in the protection of `God´, if the police do not catch them first. <br /><br />Today we say in concert with the workers of Oxford NO to the policy of `Democratic Security´ of our Government that does not assure the rights of our people but the rights of the social classes that historically have exercised power - silencing social protest in a war against civil society. <br /><br />We say NO to exploitation. We say NO to the persecution, imprisonment and assassination of our unionists, social leaders and students. We reject privatisation and we reject imperialism. We also reject the British Governments military aid to Colombia and the fictitious resolution of armed conflict through war.<br /> <br />We thank the Oxford and Districts Trades Council and the workers of Oxford for their work in solidarity with the Colombian people.<br /><br /><br />CSPP (Committee of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, Cali Colombia)<br />May 01, 2007The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-18761638943737995942007-07-20T12:11:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:12:07.119-07:00Nasa Community in ResistanceNasa Community in Resistance (Municipio de Dagua, Valle de Cauca, Colombia)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-001-732679.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-001-732076.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It is the crack of dawn on a Saturday and a small group of human rights workers are gathering at the Cali bus terminal (Colombia´s third largest city). After a 90 minute drive through stunning scenery we arrive at Cisnero, a village of the Nasa tribe with some Afro-Colombian families. The village lies along the transport rout between Cali and the pacific mega-port city of Buenaventura. With a mountainous and fertile terrain the region suffers badly from armed conflict, narco-trafficking and exploitation by trans-national companies that operate under the protection of state and paramilitary terror. Yet today is a happy occasion; the completion of a series of community workshops aimed at building resistance and permanence in the face of these atrocities.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-001-749894.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-001-749282.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>In 2003 there was a wave of mass detentions across Colombia, carried out arbitrarily against civilians as part of President Uribe´s `Democratic Security´ policy. Cisnero was hit hard. During a market day of July that year, 54 people (including 5 women) were rounded up, accused of guerilla connections and imprisoned on charges of ´rebellion´. No proof was found to qualify any of these detentions. After 10 months they released the first group of 18 people. To date 12 remain in prison. Many of those released have been recharged and are in hiding or suffer regular police harassment.1 <br /><br />To carry out this detention, the police used civilian informants that were paid in cash. This civilianization of the conflict (another element of Uribe´s ´Democratic Security´ policy) goes against the Geneva Convention. Sadly, Cisnero is only one of hundreds of Colombian communities in a similar plight. In the first 3 years of President Uribe´s rule there were 6,332 detentions of which at least 70% had strong arbitrary elements.2<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-030-715980.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-030-715414.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br />“We as indigenous people don´t trust anybody”, exclaimed Martha a lady in her 50´s. The adjacent mountains are traditionally territory of the left insurgency. The arrival of the Colombian Army 3rd High Mountain Battalion has led to the deeper involvement of Nasa villagers in the armed conflict and a worsening of their human rights situation.3 “If we go up there they kill us, if we stay here they kill us, so we stay here and resist”. She went on to tell of the loss of land to <em>los colones</em> (colonizers) who are sold the land by paramilitaries that took the land by armed force. This demonstrates again the cycle of violence, displacement and the concentration of land ownership that has left over 3.5 million Colombians internally displaced.<br /><br />Workshops covered a variety of topics as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 67 of the Colombian Constitution. It also looked at indigenous rights and the legislation pertaining to it. Colombia is the only country not to have signed the UN, Universal Declaration of Indigenous Rights and many of its ethnicities are now facing extinction.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-027-782699.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-027-782154.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>On a practical level the community is equipped with skills to assert these rights, for example: how to word letters to the local Ombudsman about their right to education, or to the local authorities regarding the status of detained loved ones. The making of public statements was looked at, as was combining work with other villages to aid with things like accompaniment. Adolfo (a member of the community council) stressed that under no circumstances should they have to give the authorities any documents of identification to take away. He later told me that the <em>fuerzas publicas</em> (police and army) use these papers are used to aid the persecution. <br /><br />In one workshop the participants were asked to draw a map of their community and mark down all the resources within it. One issue that came of this was the existence of a rail track and highway running directly through the settlement. According to Colombian law, the rail company owns 15 meters either side of the rail track and the state owns 125 meters either side of the highway. "After that there is nothing left" complained Adolfo. The very act of discussing and visualizing the surroundings cultivates an awareness of territory - a fundamental entity for indigenous peoples. Territory provides the space to be autonomous and construct plans for the future. By considering what they have the villagers are better positioned to protect their physical integrity.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-003-787500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-003-786856.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>What is a trans-national corporation? What is a megaproject? These were some of the questions looked at in another of the sessions. In the discussion that followed the Cisneros linked the local rail link and highway to the problem of the corporate takeover of indigenous lands and the violence that accompanies them. A gas pipeline running through their territory makes them particularly vulnerable. Police have been carrying out illegal searches, claiming that gas was being stolen from the pipeline; something hard to believe as most of the villagers were unsure of exactly what the pipeline was carrying.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-038-783623.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-038-783030.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The work being done in Cisneros is based on the principle of community action through organisation. Central to that is the process of participation. One problem identified in the meetings was the fact that the men are further ahead in their experience of collective decision making. Who looks after the children during the meetings? When should the meetings take place? These are just some of the practical considerations involved in cultivating a community capable of confronting problems collectively. In the final day, female participants (who constituted the majority) expressed their appreciation and said they felt empowered. One lady suggested a meeting to exchange medical knowledge. Plans are already underway for a social festival with invites going out to neighboring communities.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-046-797336.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-046-796855.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>With many of their best men torn from them the Cisneros are reconstructing their social fabric from the base. In a State with a human rights record as poor as Colombia it is necessary to construct alternative mechanisms for the defence of human rights. This means participation, action and symbolic expressions by the community, individually and collectively. In doing so, Cisnero like so many other Colombian communities is constructing grass roots alternatives to the cycle of violence and exploitation. In doing so these communities are inspiring solidarity worldwide.<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-050-711808.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-050-711328.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-048-705871.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-048-705253.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-008-710332.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-008-709762.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-020-724834.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-020-723933.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-016-784456.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-016-783867.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-036-727694.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-036-727034.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-035-747371.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-035-746752.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-037-728416.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-037-727852.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-034-724780.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cisnero-Final-034-724311.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-67982221112423518042007-07-20T12:09:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:10:18.459-07:00Plan Colombia Nightmare in Art<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Blog-Photos-001-777854.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Blog-Photos-001-776910.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Johnathon tours with the artwork on the giant canvass made of recycled plastic drinks bottles. He facillitates workshops and discussion. See his Wayuu Indigenous blog on links list<br /><br />The Plan Colombia <em>pesadilla</em> (nightmare)<extract from web page><br /><br /><em>This graphic is the product of many intercambios about the issue of colonialism in the Andean Region of South America that took place between our collective and organizers over the spring of 2002 in Ecuador, Colombia and the U.S. These exchanges of information and inspiration were collaboratively sewn together into a quilt of images, that are organized into a circuit of progressions and contrasts that inform and engage the viewer throughout their journey of the graphic.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Blog-Photos-002-796817.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Blog-Photos-002-796002.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Before and after: barter economy and capitalist exchange<br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Blog-Photos-003-702687.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Blog-Photos-003-701685.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Teaching torture to the army<br /><br /><em>The long history of colonialism in the Americas, currently manifested in the Andean Region as "Plan Colombia", is a strong metaphor of the multi-faceted destructive influences of U.S. foreign policy and corporate monoculture on a global scale. This graphic attempts to expose the lie of the drug war as a smokescreen for multinational corporation's interests in extraction of the rich biodiversity and natural resources of the Amazon and her peoples. It is an anti-war poster that speaks in the mythology of our times… the cancerous monomyth of corporate globalization, and its antibodies of grassroots resistance.</em> <br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Mosquito-721594.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Mosquito-720924.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here BP is represented as a mosquito/oil pump sucking Colombia´s wealth from the ground. This was the idea of the Uwa tribe who consider oil as the blood of Mother Nature and are surrently resisting oil expansion in their territory in the department of Arauca.<br /><br /><em>In an attempt to overcome the tendency of images to simply portray "what we are against," this graphic illustrates this story in three "layers" to help the viewer experience the different aspects of an extremely complex, and brutal situation. The mission was to give an illustrated explanation of not just the nightmare, but to also give weight to the inspiring stories of hope, courage and struggle of those that are directly experiencing it. As North American youth that have endured the destructive and racist brainwashing of television, videogames, cultural appropriation and advertising imagery, our collective felt it was essential to produce this representation in collaboration with organizers in the Andean region, to get the story straight. The result, is thick with those voices. The tools produced from this collaboration are being distributed, as anti-copyright material, for use in campaigns in both the South and North of the Americas. </em><br /><br />For more graphics with explination see the <a href="http://www.beehivecollective.org/english/plancolombia.htm">web page</a><br /><br />Find out more and download <a href="http://www.beehivecollective.org">beehive graphics</a> for your own work. The Collective is donation based and are copy left, all rights reversed.The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-75113418940315690492007-07-20T12:07:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:08:56.878-07:00Ten Years of Peace, Ten Years of Impunity; Peace Community Celebrates 10th Anniversary<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Coffinswithkids-792527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Coffinswithkids-792486.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>Photo courtesy of www.cdpsanjose.org</em><br /><br />It is the 23rd March, and in the searing heat of Colombia´s banana growing region of Uraba, a procession of 170 people descend from the mountains to the town of Apartadó. Completing the four hour walk are international solidarity activists, supporters from across Colombia and proud <em>campesino</em> families marking their tenth anniversary of resistance - the peace community of San Jose de Apartadó.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/WalkDown-766406.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/WalkDown-765728.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>On arriving in the town over a hundred cardboard coffins were placed at the gates of the cemetery and then the office of local justice in a powerful act of symbolism. Written on the coffins were the names of the assassinated. Some bore the dates of the recent massacre of September 2006. The surprise march of remembrance was a brave move by the community. Whilst police took photos from the periphery, plain clothes members of the army and likely a few civilian informants infiltrated the crowd. The message however was delivered loud and clear: we are still here, we will not forget and we want justice. Walking back from the town the procession hammered crosses on trees that marked the location of murdered <em>compañeros.</em><br /><br />In February 1997, paramilitary forces entered San Jose claiming guerilla involvement. They closed down the market, ordered the community to displace and murdered four of its leaders. On March 23rd they declared themselves a peace community. In doing so they removed themselves from the clutch of armed actors that militarize and exploit their society. In ten years San Jose has suffered 35 new assassinations – 33 of these by paramilitaries and 2 by the FARC guerillas. To date the Government maintains these crimes in total impunity.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Encuentro-766526.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Encuentro-765599.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Around one hundred visitors came to express their support and participate in the week of events, workshops and talks from community leaders and Colombian human rights NGOs. “We live in the age of the globalization of violence”, said one German delegate in a message of solidarity, “your community shines a light on the path to peace”. In equal number were members of other Colombian communities. Some belonged to the embryonic national network of 21 peace communities. One young farmer came from a community that was considering following San Jose´s example. One- by- one they stood up and told of the requisitioning of their lands, the dislocation of their way of life by war and their attempts to construct alternatives to cycle of violence that subjugates them.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Wilson-774506.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Wilson-773767.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>By far the largest perpetrators of these crimes are Colombia´s right wing paramilitary death squads Throughout their 15 year history they have committed around 14,000 human rights abuses including 3.300 homicides against civil society: trade unionists, indigenous groups, politicians, judges, journalists, human rights defenders, peasants and social movements According to one hidden Government report they are also responsible for at least 40% of drug trafficking in the country . The recent <em>para-politica</em> or ´Para-Gate´ scandal involving the Government of Alvaro Uribe (a recipient of British military aid) serves only to further expose the use of paramilitarism as an instrument of state terror.<br /><br />Their economic power has grown in strength alongside their involvement with transnational mega-projects and the displacement of over 3.5 million Colombians. In March this year, Chiquita fruit brands (formerly United Fruit Company) agreed to pay a fine of $25 million to the US Department of Justice for financing the AUC paramilitary organization between 2001 and 2004. Chiquita are one of the largest trans-national corporations operating in San Jose´s Uraba region where the level of internally displaced persons is comparable to that of Rawanda. A related article in a recent edition of Semana magazine spoke of the ´banana para-republic´. <br /><br />Today the tentacles of para-state violence in Uraba stretch further than ever. Community members recount tactics such as planting camouflage on the corpses of their victims and passing them off as insurgents. Another is the active encouragement of coca production amongst peasants with the end of using this as an excuse for the seizure of their land. In recent years, Government amnesties have served only to re-construct paramilitary activity. Many groups have reformed under new names such as <em>Aguillas Negras</em> or Black Eagles. Human rights groups worldwide also condemn the controversial Justice and Peace Law (2005) which offers death squads virtual immunity from justice. The peace community stands at the forefront of social movements actively campaign against this policy of impunity. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/coffinsonground-792599.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/coffinsonground-792583.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><em>Photo courtesy of www.cdpsanjose.org</em><br /><br />The community serves to illustrate that in Colombia, as in Chile and elsewhere, society cannot move forward silently in peace under a state that maintains an absence of truth and reconciliation. The National Movement of the Victims of State Crimes looks beyond the apparatus of state justice with bodies such as the Inter- American Court of Human Rights. It has created an Ethics Commission made up of 25 international and 5 national members. Over 10 years it will document testimonies, animate it in the public consciousness and create proposals for justice and reparation. <br /><br />On a grassroots level, popular tribunals encourage political participation and clarification of the facts. It has become necessary to unite diverse sectors of social, ethnic and political groups in Colombia preserve <em>la memoria</em> and prevent further para-state genocide. “We are all sons and daughters of the victims” were the words of the movement leader Ivan Cepeda Vargas, who came to speak at the anniversary.<br /><br />In San Jose la memoria is a living, daily reality and is central to their sense of identity and autonomy. Plans are currently underway to construct a new park of commemoration in the town. Aside from the therapeutic effect of remembrance, the act of reconstructing the past gives vitality to the present struggle for justice. In this sense <em>la memoria </em>and <em>la resistancia </em>are two sides of the same coin. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/MarchPhotos-711290.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/MarchPhotos-710622.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>As the community enters its second decade, it is building new bridges of solidarity and seeking new paths to justice. They continue to be vocal in linking their struggle to the fight against the impunity of state terror. Their bravery in doing so continues to inspire Uraba, Colombia and indeed the World. The challenge is nothing less than to create a peaceful reality in a country where violence and amnesia is a prevailing norm. <br /><br />For more information visit, <a href="http://www.cdpsanjose.org">the San Jose de Apartadó website</a> (español) or <a href="http://www.for.org.uk/ipfcolombia">Friendship of Reconcilliation</a> (english).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/PeaceCommunitySign-763624.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/PeaceCommunitySign-762696.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>¨The Community freely:<br />- Participates in communal work<br />- Says no to injustice and impunity from the facts<br />- Does not participate in the war directly or indirectly or carr arms<br />- Does not manipulate or deliver information to any parties¨</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Brigada17-790467.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Brigada17-789725.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>´Travel in peace, your army is on the road. 17th Brigade´</em> (The 17th Brigade are one of the worse offending brigades in the Colombian Army with respect to human rights)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/La-Union-792938.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/La-Union-791919.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Kids-775609.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Kids-775042.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Fellowship-757149.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Fellowship-756235.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/DeadDad-774939.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/DeadDad-774091.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Dancers-771771.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Dancers-771237.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cementery-743264.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Cementery-742389.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Pete-Kids-759639.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Pete-Kids-758756.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-65983317521514826042007-07-20T12:04:00.000-07:002007-07-20T12:06:29.082-07:00Grafitti in the Universidad Nacional, Bogota<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-009-703669.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-009-703649.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Plaza Che owes it´s name to this famous piece of grafitti. It was painted over during a holiday but was redone by tenacious students.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-007-775884.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-007-775848.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>´Paramilitary working for Justice and Peace´</em> This piece refers to the impunity given to the crimes of ´demobilized´ paramilitaries by the <a href="http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/6/29/52635/3307">Jusice and Peace Law</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-011-792025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-011-792010.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>´The fight of the man against the power is the fight of the memory against the forgetting´ Collective Memory</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-012-734008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-012-733997.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>"Can you see democracy down there"</em> says a Colombian soldier stood next to the grave of human rights. <a href="http://www.colombiajournal.org/colombia201.htm">Plan Patriota</a> is the latest bloody chapter in the ´War on Drugs´.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-010-774868.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-010-774861.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>If you take the bread from my mouth, I fight!<br />If you take the land and the farm, I fight!<br />Violent action is not all the same, it´s just the people seeking freedom.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-008-795554.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-008-795539.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em>"Yes..Yes... It will be a fair game, equal conditions, you wanna´ play no?" </em> March against TLC ´free trade´ treaty with the US, (see last blog entry)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-013-716731.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Beehive-013-716703.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Bush with President Alvaro Uribe VelezThe Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-84064678281118612172007-07-19T16:26:00.000-07:002007-07-19T16:28:21.810-07:00Anarchist Collective and Self-Educuation<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-001-749250.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-001-749233.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br />This weekend, La Casa del Cultura (an anarchist social centre in Bogota) celebrated it´s first anniversary. The centre has a variety of resources available such as clothing, artwork, campaign literature and a book exchange. A rehearsal room caters almost exclusively for punk / hardcore bands. The link between punk counterculture and anarchism is very strong in Colombia. The space also boasts an impressive library with large sections on anarchism/philosophy and latin american thinking. Among the collectives activities are film showings, reading groups, talks, material exchanges and meetings. Stencil and t.shirt making are just some of the workshops available. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-004-737229.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-004-737207.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-006-739486.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-006-739473.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Central to the ethic of the organisation is <em>auto-education</em> (self education). Within the narrow spectrum of privately owned Colombian corporate media this age old practice of the left takes on a special importance. I was impressed by the awareness that even the young Colombians had there. I got chatting to one 17 year old about a poster on the wall that ´No TLC´. The poster refers to the controversial new <a href="http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=45&ItemID=11436">free trade treaty</a> between Colombia and the US that, <a href="http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=7182">if ratified by the US Congress</a>, will decimate many domestic industries and further facilitate the wealth extraction between north and south. "It´s a terrible situation" he told me "the majority of people dont even know about the treaty. Even most of the college lecturers are right wing and dont speak the truth about what is happenning in Colombia". <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-011-722936.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/Casa-Del-Cultura-011-722892.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br />Speaking out against the state is not easy in Colombian universities. There is currently a drive to <a href="http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/content/blogcategory/22/44/">privatize them</a> and like all waves of privatization in this country resistance has been met with threats, closures and murders. Accademics who speak out against the system can be singled out as guerilla sympathizers and targeted by paramilitary death squads.The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7760010255756699661.post-34332852314558075032007-07-18T18:12:00.000-07:002007-07-18T18:13:42.015-07:00Bush Visits Colombia<a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAZYCF3P-779064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAZYCF3P-779029.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CADK6TPV-702585.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CADK6TPV-702562.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAKXQ3GH-751613.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAKXQ3GH-751592.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CA5WE5XN-702138.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CA5WE5XN-702121.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAF6WF7X-795685.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAF6WF7X-795675.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAIN816N-747015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAIN816N-746983.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAG5UZSX-787828.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.bearder.com/peter/uploaded_images/CAG5UZSX-787808.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />There were violent clashes between students and police days before the arrival of Bush in Bogota on March 10th. The capital underwent a massive security operation including an aerial lockdown and major road closures for the presidents 5 hour visit. The protests on the day were extensive but there was no terrorist incident as many had expected (see photos)<br /><br />The visit comes in troubled times for President Uribe as the <em>parapolitica</em> scandle rumbles on relentlessly. The affair sees the uncovering of links between the Government and paramilitary narco-trafficking, hostage taking, violence and electoral fraud. Entire departments have been left without representation in the Senate and Congress. <em>DAS Gate</em> was the title of last weeks Semana magazine, referring to the implication of the ex-director of the secret service - DAS. Indeed 8 of Uribes closest men in public life are now behind bars making this the biggest crisis of his presidency. <br /> <br />Coming during the process of paramilitary demobilisation, the scandal has also damaged the Governments legitimacy abroad. Foreign Minister, Maria Consuelo Araujo, has stood down amid the involvement of her father and brother. Her surprise replacement is Fernando Araujo (no relation) who has only recently escaped from the FARC after 6 year of captivity. When he was captured he was Minister of Development under President Pastrana. He himself has admitted that his knowledge of current affairs is limited. One of his first acts as <em>Canciller</em> has been to denounce a <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/colombia/animation.html">satirical cartoon animation</a> appearing in the Amnesty International US website. The cartoon ridicules the current process of paramilitary demobilization.The Colombia Solidarity Campaign (UK)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13576492551177657748noreply@blogger.com0