__________________________________________________ The South and
Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC) received the
following bulletin from:
Consejo Regional Indigena del Cauca-CRIC Calle 1a, 4-50- A.A. 516,
Popayan, Cauca, Colombia.
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Twenty indigenous people were killed on Monday, December 16 at
8:30 pm during a working meeting in Caloto, in the northern
region, Colombia. The massacre took place while a group of 70
community members were having their routine meeting to plan the
next's day work schedule, at the indigenous settlement "El NILO."
Two men yelled at the indigenous to drop to the floor before being
killed.
Most of the people ran out, however those who remained on the
floor (20) were shot and then mutilated with an ax. Deaths in
total were 20, 11 men, 5 women and 4 children.
Witnesses believe that the killings were sponsored by landowners
who in December 7th had send their lawyer Gilberto Marquez to
openly declare war on the community of "EL NILO." The settlement
was recuperated by the indigenous community 4 years ago. Since
last June the community made public to the authorities that they
have been victims of threats, and of a series of violent
activities.
It is believed that the above mentioned denunciations from the
indigenous community were the reason the landowners sent their
lawyer Gilberto Marquez and an armed group of civilians, who
burned the houses, destroyed the crops and plundered the village.
It was at this time the lawyer declared openly: "If we do no reach
an agreement we will declare war openly or hidden."
We the Indigenous peoples demand from the government the full
enforcement of the laws included in the new constitution which
grants respect for life, for human rights, for social economic and
cultural welfare of all the indigenous communities of Colombia.
What you can do:
1. Send letters to the Government of Colombia, requesting
that the perpetrators of such crimes be brought before the courts
of justice and be prosecuted according to the laws.
2. Send your letter to the Organization of American States,
3. and to the UN Human Rights Center in Geneva, Switzerland.
Sr. Presidente Dr. Cesar Gaviria Presidente de la Rep. Casa de
Nario, Carrera 8 No 7-26, Bogota, COLOMBIA
UN Human Rights Center Jan Martensen UN Palais Geneva, CH 1211
Switzerland
Organization of American States Edith Marquez Rodriguez, Executive
Secretary Inter American Commission on Human Rights 1889 F. St.
Washington DC 20006 fax: 202-458-3992 ph: 202-458-6000
Please send copies of letters to SAIIC and to CRIC: SAIIC P.O.
Box 28703 Oakland, CA 94604
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For more information contact SAIIC