Indigenous groups demand army and FARC remove bases

[gbscar]

Indigenous groups demand army and FARC remove bases
Thursday, 21 July 2011 07:04
Stephen Manker

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A demonstration recently occurred in Toribio, a town in the Cauca department that was recently almost completely destroyed after FARC guerrillas attacked the town.

The indigenous groups explained in a statement that the march was meant to "reiterate the need for these actors to dismantle their military bases and camps in indigenous territory, and to stop using civilians for war." The statement also acknowledged that both groups will not willingly leave the area, and therefore "will require enormous pressure from Colombian civil society."

According to the statement, the Indians, along "with the company of friendly organizations who fight for peace," will soon begin to dismantle the trenches and foundations built on their territories by the national police, army and the FARC.

The UN declaration on Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that no military bases may be installed without "effective consultation" with the authorities and communities of indigenous peoples. On these grounds, the Indians also rejected the installment of a High Mountain Battalion in Toribio, which was announced by President Juan Manuel Santos after the recent FARC attacks.

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The indigenous population in Cauca has also called for "humanitarian dialogues" with the Colombian government and FARC.

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They also asked that the FARC immediately halt the recruitment of children as soldiers or informants, the use of landmines and indiscriminate weapons, as well as to have a "respect for autonomy."

The document calls for the government to clarify the orders to destroy the homes of communities from where militants of the FARC have attacked the troops, as happened in several populations of Cauca.

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http://www.colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17781-indigenous-colombians-demand-land-from-army-and-farc.html