CPTnet
June 15, 2001
COLOMBIA URGENT ACTION: CPTers accompany search for abducted indigenous
leader
More than 800 indigenous people from throughout Colombia began a march
Wednesday, June 13 in search of KIMY PERNÍA DOMICÓ, the abducted leader
of the Embera-Katiìo indigenous group.
Three masked men on a white motorcycle kidnapped the internationally
respected leader at gunpoint June 2. He shouted "They have me!" as the
motorcycle sped from the municipality of Tierra Alta toward Monteria,
Cordoba. Nothing has been heard from Kimy since.
The Colombian Mennonite Church and Justapaz, a human rights organization
founded by Colombian Anabaptist churches are helping to coordinate
international accompaniment for the event. Janna Bowman of Justapaz will
participate as an observer in the Friday, June 15, meetings in Monteria and
during the march Saturday and Sunday. Christian Peacemaker Teams will
provide accompaniment Monday, June 18 through Friday June 22.
The dominance of army-backed paramilitary in the region and the form of
abduction indicate that paramilitary belonging to the United Self-Defense
Groups of Cordoba and Uraba (ACCU) are responsible.
In media reports following the incident, the police commander of Cordoba
attempted to justify the abduction by accusing Kimy of involvement in the
drug trade. These comments have been proven untrue, but in this context they
are dangerous nonetheless.
Indigenous people from around the country congregated and marched in the
streets of Medellín on Wednesday and then descended to Tierralta,
starting point for the direct action and march route, later in the day.
Participants in the non-violent direct action plan to confront the
paramilitary by marching to their farms around the city of Monteria and
demanding the release of Kimy, or at least the return of his body.
Kimy Pernia Domicò was targeted for playing a leading role in the
Embera-Katìo indigenous campaign against the construction of the Urrà
dam mega-project. Due to their resistance, several Embera-Katìo
communities have been targeted by the paramilitary. Paramilitaries belonging
to the AUC make no effort to hide their alliances with their private
sponsors. In a recent interview with Castaño, former head of the AUC, a
columnist from the Colombian magazine Semana asked "Whose work was (Kimy)
impeding?" Castaño responded, "The Dam! He`s impeding the functioning of
the dam!"
The Urrà dam mega-project, partially funded by the Canadian government,
ravaged the Embera-Katìo ancestral lands and threatens the group's very
survival. Several leaders were assassinated, community members were
abducted, and others disappeared due to their active resistance to the
project. The Embera thought the violence would subside with the treaty
signed with the Urra builders and the Colombian government early last year.
They were wrong.
The march participants encountered government opposition from the onset.
Wednesday, the first day of the march, the governor of Cordoba, where the
march is taking place, declared the march unlawful. Departmental
authorities claim that they can not spare protective security forces due to
the National Cattle Fair that is also in process.
The Embero Katío have been calling for international solidarity. As
articulated in a June 13 statement, "the international community, defenders
of human rights, and friends of the indigenous movement and all those who
know of our leader KIMY PERNÍA DOMICÓ, unite your voices with ours to
demand of the violent that they free our brother, counselor, and traditional
leader, respect of our communities, and our village, and for respect of our
territory."
Letters asking for Kimy´s release have gone out from 52 Canadian
Parliamentaries as well as MCC Canada.
The Colombian Mennonite Church, Justapaz, and CPT call for prayer and action
during these coming weeks.
PRAY FOR--
-The safe return of KIMY PERNÍA DOMICÓ;
-Openness on the part of the Colombian government to listen to the voice of
the Embera people and space for participation;
-Safety for all march participants
TAKE ACTION!!!
CALL OR FAX THE GOVERNOR OF CÓRDOBA: Respectfully demand that the governor
of Córdoba, Jesús María López, permit the march.
Fax: +(57)-4- 7826060
TEL: +(57)-4-7823120, 7823233
EMAIL OR FAX THE PASTRANA ADMINISTRATION OF COLOMBIA: Request support for
the mission and guarantees of safety for march participants.
FAX- 011.571.566.2071
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS AND ADMINISTRATION Express concern for
Kimy´s abduction and encourage march security support on behalf of
Colombia´s security forces.
-CONTACT U.S. LEGISLATORS: Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
-CONTACT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION:
White House Comment Desk: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
E-MAIL: president@whitehouse.gov
WEB PAGE: http://www.whitehouse.gov
UPDATES AND PICTURES will soon be posted at: stopplancolombia.nl
and in Spanish http://www.gratisweb.com/embera_katio
______________________
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of
the Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence
reduction efforts around the world. Contact CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680,
TEL. 312-455-1199 FAX 312-432-1213 / To receive news or discussion of CPT
issues by e-mail, fill out the form found on our WEB page at
http://www.cpt.org/subscribe.php
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