More information on the Black Communities in Colombia, their struggle and their situation can be found here:
http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/colombia/index.htm
******* >From the Black Communites Process - Colombia February 13th 2002 Communiqué to the national and international public opinion We request national and international solidarity to materially support the Black Communities in Resistance in the Colombian Pacific Coast. In front of the threat of massacre, the Afrocolombian population has decided not to abandon their collective territories. On February 12th, neighbouring communities report the incursion of more than 400 paramilitary in the region, announcing that they will enter in these rivers “with blood and fire to get rid of the guerilla”. The Black Communities of the rivers Naya, Cajambre, Yurumanguí and Raposo have been threatened with massacre and displacement from their collective territories by the end of November 2001 by the paramilitary forces. The resistance of the Black Communities begun 500 years ago. It has been a permanent struggle for the defence of our territories, for the survival of our culture and the practice of our autonomy. About 10 years ago, some rights to identity, participation, development and collective land owning of the traditional lands were codified in the Colombian Constitution of 1991. But unfortunately, these lands which are located in one of the planets richest jungles has become a zone of strategic interests for national and international capital. Despite the threats and the paramilitary presence in all the rivers, the communities of the Communitarian Council of the Yurumanguí River decided to remain on its ancestral lands. Resisting on these lands against the projects of national and international capital which have been implemented or that they want to implement in our spaces of life. In Decembre 2000 the first massacre in the Naya river was being announced. The population requested protection and action by the Colombian government to avoid the imminent killings. Despite these efforts and the call to the Interamerican Commission of Human Rights for the adoption of measures to protect these communities, the Colombian State did absolutely nothing, and in April 10th-13th, the paramilitary AUC (So called united self defence) made a massacre leaving 130 dead black, indigenous and farmers; and the subsequent displacement of more than 3.000 people. By the end of April, in another announced killing they assassinated y dismembered 7 habitants with an axe in the river side El Firme, right by the end of the Yurumanguí river. 1000 people were displaced due to this. In November 2001 the Colombian authorities were again warned about the possibility of new aggressions by the paramilitary on the communities of the rivers Nava, Cajambre, Yurumanguí and Raposo. The AUC (paramilitary) announced that they would ”celebrate” Christmas with a massacre and displacement of the black population of the rivers. The Colombian government has been pressured both on national and international level to take action to protect all these communities and their territories, but given the facts there are no guarantees that these measures are being taken and efficiently implemented. On the contrary the pressure by the paramilitary on the communities and the activists is continuously increasing. In the Yurumanguí river was the site of the Palenque [1] known as “Desparramado”. Besides the strategic and environmental value in terms of natural resources, it has a cultural and symbolic significance for its inhabitants and their lives. In order to resist, the inhabitants of the Yurumanguí need more political pressure on the Colombian government, international presence here and material support to survive this challenge. There is enough food here, but we are in need of large pots, petrol, plastic tarpaulin, pocket lights and batteries, lighters, medicines and blankets. As it is difficult and complex to send materials for international solidarity, we request instead the collection of funds if possible. Please send contributions in dollars to the United States to the following bank account: Banco de Bogotá Account: 034230987 In case of complications you can contact us at pcnkolombia@hotmail.com Proceso de Comunidades Negras en Colombia (PCN) Black Communities Process in Colombia