CPTnet
31 July 2007
COLOMBIA: Small miners demand respect from armed actors and the state

by Robin Buyers

On July 11, 2007 CPTers Robin Buyers and Joel Klassen accompanied a
Commission composed of thirteen representatives--from Colombian government
departments and human rights offices, the United Nations and
non-governmental organizations--up a muddy trail deep into the mining zone
of southern Bolivar department (province.) The following day, leaders from
the burgeoning community of Mina Proyecto laid out their demands for
improved security, education, health, roads, and communications. "We
started with eight people in 2004," leaders said. "There are 338 now,
including seventy-five children-- We are claiming our rights as small
miners and farmers. We want recognition as a township."

The day began with a children's procession up the steep hillside on which
the community perches. When a United Nations representative asked if any of
them wanted to be warriors, the children responded as one: "No! We want to
live in peace!"

The meeting that followed focused on the lack of respect shown by armed
actors and the Colombian state for civilian rights. "The solution to the
war is respect for the people," leaders argued, noting that armed actors are
not permitted to be part of their community. They do not want guerrilla,
paramilitary, or the Colombian Armed Forces to frustrate their plan to
develop a shared culture and livelihood. Nor do they want multinational
corporations to interfere.

Leaders raised concerns about the presence of the Nueva Granada Battalion of
the Colombian Armed Forces close to the community, particularly in May (See
1 June 2007 CPTnet release, "MICOAHUMADO, COLOMBIA: Army blocks road for
three days.") They accused the Battalion of complicity with the recently
formed paramilitary organization, the Black Eagles. "They are both eating
from the same plate," said one man.

Later, discussion shifted to the lack of infrastructure. "The trail is a
concrete example of what we need," leaders noted, knowing that Commission
members were aching from the previous day's trip. "We've had to carry people
out by foot on makeshift stretchers," they said. Educational supplies for
their small school and communications systems are also inadequate.

The community detailed obstacles municipal officials have posed for the in
gaining official recognition as a township and in running a candidate for
council, concerns the departmental Secretary of the Interior agreed to look
into immediately. Commission members were less clear about other follow-up.
The Secretary noted that while communities affected by the armed conflict
are a priority, the department holds limited authority over municipal
spending for roads.

As darkness fell, Commission members from both governmental and
non-governmental human rights agencies, including CPT, met privately to hear
of specific cases of human rights abuses. Testimony ranged from cases of
extortion by guerrillas to stigmatization and even torture by the army.

Mina Proyecto leaders are determined that these abuses and the lack of
resources will not deter them. Hosting the Commission was a step on the way
to full recognition. Even President Uribe, they said, was welcome to ride
down the trail to see what they have built.