Colombia: „Liberty for Mother Earth“. Indigenous people and peasants fighting for Agrarian Reform

Since October 12th, indigenous and peasant groups have peacefully occupied more than 12 farms in the Cauca Department in demand for agrarian reform measures. Armed forces tried to evict them from the different places, injuring more than 57 persons. The government of Cauca accepted to initiate negotiations with some of the occupants, but not with all of them. At the same time, the Governor made statements to the effect of discrediting the groups and communities by associating them with drug trafficking, guerrilla and terrorism. Since the beginning of October the arrival of uniformed persons to the region has been reported who might possibly be paramilitary groups. The risk of a massacre cannot be ruled out.

Since there is a threat of worsening repression against these communities, an act of international solidarity is of utmost importance demanding the respect of and protection for the right to life of the peasants and indigenous groups involved, as well as the effective fulfilment of agrarian reform measures. Please send your letters to the President of the Republic of Colombia, with copy to the Governor of Cauca and the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC).