Tuesday, October 28, 2008
National Chief Condemns Violence Against Indigenous Protestors in Colombia
This is an important political message from a leader of the Canadian first nations, showing support for the indigenous protesters in Colombia. While he calls on “all parties to end the violence,” he also rightfully asks that the eyes of the world must remain fixed on Colombia to make sure there is a negotiated settlement of the armed conflict, which has detrimentally impacted indigenous communities and their generations-long struggle for autonomy and defense of their life plans. One would hope that others would take note, especially in the north, where there has been a virtual blackout on the popular minga that has been unfolding now for over two weeks.
National Chief Condemns Violence Against Indigenous Protestors in Colombia
OTTAWA, Oct. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - In southwest Colombia, protests over the government of Colombia's economic policies have erupted into violence as riot police clash with Indian protestors. The protests which began on October 21 have left many injured and unconfirmed reports indicate at least 3 Indian protestors are dead. The protestors blockaded the Pan-American highway and possess mostly rudimentary means of defending themselves against encroaching police. Indigenous peoples in Colombia are expressing fear of a pending escalation in this conflict. AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine expressed his concern for the Indigenous peoples of Colombia and urged the Colombian government to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the protestors. "I am calling on all parties to end the violence and seek respectful dialogue to address their differences. I also call on Canadians concerned about human rights and the rights of Indigenous peoples to ensure that the eyes of the world remain fixed on events in Colombia to ensure peaceful and immediate resolution to the armed conflict," he said. "The Indian population in Colombia is among the poorest in Colombia, a reality faced by First Nations in Canada as well," added National Chief Fontaine. Noting that economic polices, including government plans for a free-trade deal with the U.S., have prompted increasing dissent from Indigenous peoples in Colombia, National Chief Fontaine said, "Conditions of extreme poverty and the exclusion which are common to Indigenous peoples in Canada as they are in other parts of the world, are not conducive to peaceful diplomatic relations in the 21st century. Both domestic and international decision-making and planning on the economy should include Indigenous peoples. This is the key to alleviating rampant poverty among Indigenous peoples and fostering relationships based on meaningful consultation, inclusion and ultimately, achieving reconciliation". "I would also note that this is an example of the importance of international instruments like the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada has refused to endorse and implement", said National Chief Fontaine. "Indigenous rights continue to be suppressed around the world. The UN Declaration contains the highest human rights standards and best practices and Canada should support and implement this important human rights instrument," concluded the National Chief. Regional Chief Wilton Littlechild, former member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and who was a key participant in drafting processes of the UN Declaration discussed the alarming violence in Colombia with Navanethem Pillay, the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights l last week in New York City. The Assembly of First Nations is the national political organization representing First Nations people in Canada. For further information: Joan McEwen, AFN Communications Director, (613) 241-6789 ext. 242, cell (613) 324-3329, jmcewen@afn.ca; Gina Cosentino, Government Relations and International Affairs Senior Advisor, National Chief's Office, AFN, (613) 241-6789 ext. 356, gcosentino@afn.ca http://mamaradio.blogspot.com/2008/10/natio In southwest Colombia, protests over thegovernment of Colombia's economic policies have erupted into violence as riotpolice clash with Indian protestors. The protests which began on October 21have left many injured and unconfirmed reports indicate at least 3 Indianprotestors are dead. The protestors blockaded the Pan-American highway andpossess mostly rudimentary means of defending themselves against encroachingpolice. Indigenous peoples in Colombia are expressing fear of a pendingescalation in this conflict.AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine expressed his concern for the Indigenouspeoples of Colombia and urged the Colombian government to negotiate a peacefulsettlement with the protestors. "I am calling on all parties to end theviolence and seek respectful dialogue to address their differences. I alsocall on Canadians concerned about human rights and the rights of Indigenouspeoples to ensure that the eyes of the world remain fixed on events inColombia to ensure peaceful and immediate resolution to the armed conflict,"he said."The Indian population in Colombia is among the poorest in Colombia, areality faced by First Nations in Canada as well," added National ChiefFontaine. Noting that economic polices, including government plans for afree-trade deal with the U.S., have prompted increasing dissent fromIndigenous peoples in Colombia, National Chief Fontaine said, "Conditions ofextreme poverty and the exclusion which are common to Indigenous peoples inCanada as they are in other parts of the world, are not conducive to peacefuldiplomatic relations in the 21st century. Both domestic and internationaldecision-making and planning on the economy should include Indigenous peoples.This is the key to alleviating rampant poverty among Indigenous peoples andfostering relationships based on meaningful consultation, inclusion andultimately, achieving reconciliation".nal-chief-condemns-violence.html