memorandum of justification concerning human ... - Just the Facts

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6) Culture: Assistance has been provided through the Mayor‘s Cultural Fund
to increase the ability of the Nukak to produce and commercialize their
artisanal crafts.
In addition, the President‘s Program for Human Rights and the Directorate of
Indigenous and Minorities at the MOI&J, with the help of UNDP, has developed an
action plan for responding to the needs of the Nukak Makú in a holistic sense (―Plan de
Atención Integral y Diferencial‖). The government convened a group of experts in
indigenous issues, and representatives of the Nukak community, to develop long-term
strategies to ensure respect for ethnic diversity and the Nukak Culture. After meeting
with members of the community, the experts developed the action plan and have met
twice with the Vice Minister of Interior and the Directors of the President‘s Program for
Human Rights and the Ministry of Interior‘s Directorate of Indigenous and Minorities in
order to socialize the advances made to date on the plan, and to secure buy-in on its
proposals in order to ensure its completion.
Protecting the Awá
According to the ONIC, the Awá have been particularly hard hit by internal
displacement in the past two years. In November 2007, 1,400 Awá were displaced due to
combat between the FARC and the Armed Forces. NGOs assert that displacement of the
Awá has increased as a result of the presence of 400 coca eradication guards from the
anti-narcotics police who were placed in the community, allegedly without prior
consultation with Awá indigenous authorities. The groups say that the eradication guards
have accused the leaders and community members of being guerilla collaborators. The
Colombian government is working to prevent the displacement of and violence against
the Awa through the Early Warning System and developing contingency plans for mass
displacements. The government also provides humanitarian and development assistance
to the community.
The Colombian government notes that it has provided assistance for the displaced
and that most of the community is registered as displaced. For example, when the FARC
killed members of the Awa community in February 2009 in the municipality of
Barbacoas (Nariño), 97 families were displaced from the Tortugaña Indigenous Reserve
in Telembí. They ended up in Samaniego and El Diviso. The government immediately
responded by sending a commission of experts that divided into teams to address needs in
Samaniego, Ricaurte, and Barbacoas. Representatives from Acción Social remained in
the area for 45 days, working to respond to the immediate needs of the population and to
develop plans to mitigate future risk for the community. Following the displacement,
Acción Social worked immediately to provide education, psychological assistance, and
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