Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of the
Afro-Colombian civilian communities of the Cacarica River Basin
(Cuenca del Cacarica) in the department of Choco and the
indigenous communities living in the same area, who have received
reports that they may be facing an imminent paramilitary incursion.
On 8 February, a large number of armed men thought to be
paramilitaries were reported to be heading towards two resettlement
communities at Esperanza en Dios and Nueva Vida. They were
coming from a paramilitary base reportedly situated in San Jose de la
Balsa, south of the Cacarica River Basin. Amnesty International has
condemned the establishment of the reported base in recent years,
yet no decisive action has been taken by the authorities to dismantle
it. They have also failed to confront paramilitaries in the area, who
continue to operate despite a heavy-military presence.
Concern for the safety of the indigenous communities living in the
region and inhabitants of the returned Afro-Colombian communities of
the Cacarica River Basin has been heightened by reports that they
have been ordered by the paramilitaries to attend a meeting at the
paramilitary base in San Jose de la Balsa on 9 February.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In recent years many of the inhabitants of the communities in the
Cacarica River Basin area have returned to their lands after they
were forced to flee their homes in the wake of joint paramilitary-
military operations in the region in early 1997. During their forced
displacement, the communities of the Cacarica River Basin were
frequently subjected to death threats and human rights violations
committed by army-backed paramilitaries. These often took place
after they were labelled guerrilla collaborators by the security forces
and their paramilitary allies. During the process of return, several
members of the communities have been killed and 'disappeared',
including community leader Freddy Gallego ( UA 240/00, 14 August
2000 and follow-ups). The communities have also faced repeated
threats made by paramilitary forces who have been able to enter the
Cacarica River Basin despite the fact the area is heavily-militarized
and despite repeated alerts to the Colombian security forces of the
presence of paramilitary forces. (UA 136/01, 4 June 2001 and for
more details on the forcibly displaced communities of Choco
Department see AI report: Colombia: Return to Hope, AMR 23/23/00,
June 2000). Armed opposition groups have also been responsible for
threats and killings against members of returned displaced
communities in Choco Department.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible:
- expressing serious concern for the safety of the returned displaced
communities in the Cacarica River Basin area and indigenous
communities living in the same area in the light of reports of a heavy
paramilitary presence in the region and threats of an imminent
paramilitary incursion;
- urging the authorities to take all measures that the communities
themselves deem appropriate to guarantee their safety;
- expressing concern that the government and its security forces have
taken no effective action against paramilitary groups in the
department of Choco, despite repeated commitments and UN
recommendations to combat and dismantle these groups;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the
security forces and paramilitary groups operating in the department of
Choco, urging that the results are made public and those found
responsible for supporting and participating in such groups are
brought to justice;
- urging the authorities to take immediate and decisive action to
dismantle paramilitary groups, in line with repeated government
commitments and UN recommendations.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic:
Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana Arango
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8 No.7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Telegram: Presidente de la Republica, Bogota, Colombia
Faxes:011 57 1 336 2109 /337 1351/284 2186/566 2071
Salutation: Dear President / Excmo. Sr. Presidente
Minister of Defense:
Dr. Gustavo Bell
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional
Avenida Eldorado CAN - Carrera 52
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Telegram: Ministro de Defensa, Bogota, Colombia
Telex: 396 42411 INPRE CO; 396 44561 CFAC CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 288 4906/ 286 4126 / 281 1213 / 222 1874
Salutation: Dear Minister / Sr. Ministro
Commander of the XVII Brigade of the Colombian Army:
General Pablo Rodriguez Laverde
Carepa, Uraba, Colombia
Telegrams: Comandante XVII Brigada, Carepa, Uraba, Colombia
Fax: 011 57 4 823 6601/823 6844/823 6605/823 6796/823 6601
Salutation: Dear Commander/Sr Comandanta
COPIES TO:
Intercongregational Commission for Justice and Peace:
Comision Intercongregacional de Justicia y Paz
AA 31861
Bogota, Colombia.
Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Pl. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 232 8643
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office
between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if
sending appeals after March 22, 2002.
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without prior permission from Amnesty International. Thank you for
your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881