In response to the acts of violence occurring in Colombia, in the context of the mobilization of citizens exercising their right to protest the tax reform during the pandemic, Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) states the following:
We are deeply concerned and categorically reject the acts of disproportionate repression by the police and military who, using their monopoly of force, are firing on the civilian population mobilized in the streets, who are exercising their fundamental right to peaceful protest.
Given the acts and omissions of the Colombian State, there are serious breaches of international obligations in terms of prevention, protection, and guarantee of human rights, particularly concerning the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Numerous cases have been documented in which the police shoot at the civilian population mobilized in the streets. There are images of the use of tanks in contravention of international standards on the limits for the army's use. According to the Colombian NGO "Temblores" report, 1181 cases of police abuse, 761 arbitrary detentions, 26 homicides, 9 victims of sexual violence, and dozens of disappeared persons are registered. Likewise, on 3 May, the UN Human Rights Mission, which was carrying out a verification accompaniment in Cali, was the object of threats and shooting, apparently by members of the security forces.
In the context of criminalization and assassinations of indigenous leaders in Colombia, we warn of further violations of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The indigenous communities mobilized throughout the country have suffered human rights violations perpetrated by members of the security forces (National Police, Mobile Anti-riot Squadron-ESMAD, and Special Operations Group-GOES). During the mobilizations on 4 May, the Indigenous Unit of the Awá People - UNIPA denounced intimidation by members of the Gualtal battalion in Nariño who refuse to keep their distance from the civilian population, generating anxiety and limiting the exercise of the right to peaceful protest.
We reiterate the obligation of the Colombian State to adopt the actions of the public forces to the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality. The use of firearms is a resource that can only be used as a last resort. Hate speech, stigmatization, criminalization, and all actions aimed at justifying violence against demonstrators must cease.
We urge the national government, the Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Commander of the National Police to comply with international obligations to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the population in general.
We urge them to allow human rights defenders to document and accompany the transfers of members of indigenous communities and others to detention centers. The presence of the Public Prosecutor's Office should also be guaranteed during demonstrations and in detention centers to verify the situation of members of indigenous communities and other persons detained by the security forces.
Finally, we express our solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples in Colombia and, in general, with the Colombian people.
About Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI)
IPRI is a legally registered, non-profit, global Indigenous Peoples' organisation working to protect Indigenous Peoples' rights and unify and amplify organizations for justice for victims of criminalization and impunity.
%2020.49.20.png)
