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

UNCLASSIFIED
- 72 -
members 47 of indigenous communities marched from Popayán to Cali on October 12,
2008, ultimately blocking the Pan-American Highway. The protestors demanded of the
Colombian government:
A mutual agreement of respect on human rights;
The naming of a follow-up commission to follow all agreed pacts between
the government and indigenous groups;
That President Uribe attend the next Community Council Meeting of
Indigenous Communities;
That the Armed Forces leave Maria Piendamó;
Fulfillment of the Nile Agreement and Decree 982; and
Agreement from the Ombudsman‘s Office to verify constitutional vetoes
regarding the acquisition of land.
The groups held similar protests in 1999, causing widespread economic loss in the
region as goods could not be transported along the highway. President Uribe made clear
in this most recent protest that, while he respected their right to protest, they could not
block the Pan-American Highway, as other citizens had a right to use the road. Saying
―dialogue yes, violence no,‖ Uribe committed the government to meeting with the groups
to discuss their demands. The MOI&J convoked the members of the commission that
were involved in the Nilo Agreement, and sent representatives to the area on October 16,
2008, to meet with indigenous leaders.
On October 14, 2008, the National Police‘s Mobile Anti-Disturbance Squadrons
(ESMAD - riot police) had several confrontations with protestors. The protests became
violent. Protestors wielded machetes and used improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
against government security forces that attempted to clear the roadways. Several
protestors were injured, and two were killed. NGOs and indigenous groups say the
injuries and deaths were caused by ESMAD. The Colombian government maintains that
ESMAD responded properly, using fire hoses and rubber bullets in its defense, and that
the two deaths were caused by an IED deployed by the protestors. The Colombian
government agreed to make reparations if security forces were found responsible for
deaths during the protests. Several members of Colombia‘s security forces were also
injured when indigenous groups lobbed IEDs at them.
On November 2, 2008, representatives from these groups met with President Uribe
to discuss their demands, though the dialogue yielded only limited results. The group
marched again, this time from Cali to Bogotá on November 4, 2008. On November 20,
47 Accounts vary.
UNCLASSIFIED