An Open Letter to the People of Canada
September 7, 2016
Open Letter to the NDP
Special Declaration supporting democratic institutionality, dialogue and peace in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
The Dawn,
Caracas, June 8, 2016
On the occasion of the Fifth Extraordinary Meeting of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Agreement (ALBA-TCP) Political Council, held in Caracas, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, June 8, 2016, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of ALBA-TCP member states,
Considering the commitment of the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, to the unconditional defense of peace and democratic constitutional institutionality of the Republic and his assurance to guarantee the human rights of the people of Venezuela,
Reiterating the need for full respect of the inalienable right of all states to choose their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, as an essential condition to ensure peaceful coexistence between nations and consolidate Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, as was formally proclaimed in the Second CELAC Summit, held in Havana, January 2014,
Recognizing dialogue as a conciliatory method, and a legitimate, appropriate instrument to resolve the internal conflicts of member states,
Bearing in mind the illegitimate attempt by the OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro to invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter, seeking intervention against the constitutional government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,
We state that:
Considering the commitment of the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, to the unconditional defense of peace and democratic constitutional institutionality of the Republic and his assurance to guarantee the human rights of the people of Venezuela,
Reiterating the need for full respect of the inalienable right of all states to choose their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, as an essential condition to ensure peaceful coexistence between nations and consolidate Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, as was formally proclaimed in the Second CELAC Summit, held in Havana, January 2014,
Recognizing dialogue as a conciliatory method, and a legitimate, appropriate instrument to resolve the internal conflicts of member states,
Bearing in mind the illegitimate attempt by the OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro to invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter, seeking intervention against the constitutional government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,
We state that:
- We demand absolute respect for Venezuelan sovereignty, stressing the principles of non-intervention, self-determination and the right to exercise the constitutional, political, economic and social system chosen by the people.
- We support the constitutional government of President Nicolás Maduro Moros in his concerted efforts to preserve the peace and guarantee democratic institutionality in his country.
- We support the national dialogue initiative proposed by President Nicolás Maduro with the support of UNASUR, and the participation of former presidents José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero of Spain, Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic, and Martín Torrijos of Panama, at the request of the Bolivarian government of Venezuela.
- We reject the conduct of Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), who acting in violation of the OAS Charter, which demands independence, impartiality and transparency, has taken on an interventionist role in the internal affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with the potential to generate instability in the country and motivate sectors of the Venezuelan opposition to assume non-democratic and violent positions.
- We urge countries represented in the OAS, to ensure that the Secretary General of the organization, fulfils his duties as outlined in the General Norms of the Functioning of the Secretary General according to norms established in Article 113 of the OAS Charter, and therefore call on the Secretary General to strictly adhere to Article 137 of the aforementioned regulations.
- We condemn the interventionist resolution, adopted on June 8, 2016, by the European Parliament against Venezuela, and its disregard for the country’s institutions and rule of law.
- We will remain alert to any initiative which might threaten the constitutional stability of the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and act accordingly in defense of peace and tranquillity in our region.
- We request the Executive Secretary of ALBA-TCP to ensure that this Declaration is sent to regional and sub-regional integration organizations and circulated as an official document.
Sign Letter-Afrocolombian and Indigenous Participation
in Peace Talks
To sign this letter please send your name and institutional-organizational affiliation by Feb 18, 2016 to: [email protected]
14 February 2016
Sirs,
Humberto de la Calle L., Chief Peace Negotiator for the Colombian Government
Sergio Jaramillo, High Commissioner for Peace
Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, FARC Commander, Peace Negotiations Delegate
GAIDEPAC –Group of Academics and Intellectuals in Defense of the Colombian Pacific – is a network of people in Colombia, North America and Europe with particular interest in the realities and challenges that the Black and Indigenous communities face in the region of the Colombian Pacific. We have been following the advances in the dialogues between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP in Havana, with great interest and anticipation.
We are concerned however, that a space in the dialogues has not been opened to Black and Indigenous peoples. It is precisely these groups who have been most affected by the internal armed conflict. We are aware that neither of the two parties in the negotiations has replied publicly to the letters and other communications that have been sent directly by national representative organizations. Since 2014, the National Afrocolombian Authority –ANAFRO- and the Afrocolombian National Council for Peace –CONPA-, to name only two of these organizations, have sent various forms of communication, including letters, communiques and messages to the two parties in Havana, in order to ensure that the Afrocolombian and Indigenous people are heard in relation to their rights, perspectives and territories, as well as regarding the pending implications of the peace agreements for these communities in the post-accord period.
According to Colombian legal regulation, we consider it essential and logical that ethnic groups have a formal space for participation, one that is comprehensive and differential, in the Havana negotiations, as well as in dialogues that may come to pass between the Government and the ELN – National Liberation Army, particularly as the signing of the accords according to official sources, will take place in approximately 6 weeks. These accords stand to have a significant impact on the lives and territories of these historic communities, who are also subjects of collective rights to autonomy and participation, as well as to the fundamental right to special protection by the Colombian State.
Rights for Indigenous and Afrodescendent people established in the Constitution of 1991 include the right to active participation, the right to be consulted on the policies and projects that stand to affect their communities, identity and territories. It is without doubt that the peace accords contain significant content related to the territories and rights of the Afrodescendent and Indigenous people including: zones proposed for campesino reserves and concentration, new commissions and programs related to the substitution of illicit crops in ancestral and ethnic territories, together with the implications for the formalization of property in regions in or near ethnic territories, among many other elements that will have effects on the Afrocolombian community councils and their communities, as well as for Indigenous cabildos and the populations they represent. Despite this, there is sparse mention of community councils and cabildos in the accords, which leaves us to question whether the forms of self-government in ethnic communities stand to be marginalized via the accords and their implementation.
If there is a sincere desire to include ethnic communities in the construction of peace in the country, and to ensure a long-lasting peace that reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of Colombian society as is formulated in the Constitution of the country, there should be no hesitation in extending the invitation, immediately and urgently, to the representative organizations of Afrodescendent and Indigenous peoples.
We reiterate our support for the advances in the peace process between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP, and we sincerely hope that cogent and sustainable agreements are reached, and that these can be implemented in a way that recognizes ethnic authorities and communities as principle actors in the construction of peace in ancestral territories and urban regions of the country. Without the participation of Afrocolombian and Indigenous people, a durable and sustainable peace is not possible. The conditions of marginalization, violence, displacement and poverty, historical discrimination – recognized and persistent -, the concentration of land and lack of meaningful space for political participation, have been the basis of the conflict, and these issues cannot be resolved, denying again the direct and autonomous participation of these groups, denying the rights established in the Colombian Constitution regarding consultation on that which affects ethnic communities, their identities and territories.
In order that the agreements have significance for the communities most affected by the conflict, recognition and strengthening of ethnic authorities is necessary, towards the construction of a real and possible peace. With the direct and comprehensive participation of ethnic communities, peace will imply the creation of strategies to counteract the recognized and increasing environmental degradation, resulting from a combination of factors among which, in particular, are the consequences of the armed conflict for the sustaining of an economic model based on extractive development. Peace with ethnic communities will strengthen local economies and the multiple viable alternatives to the problems generated by conflict in these regions. Ethnic participation in the peace negotiations will greatly contribute to the non-repetition of crimes, multiple forms of violence, and exclusion based on racial discrimination, which has so marked the history of Colombia. At the same time, in material terms, armed confrontations, assassinations, and threats to ethnic leaders, have not ceased during the negotiations in Havana.
We emphasize and deeply urge both parties to recognize the need to officially invite representatives of the Black and Indigenous peoples, to the negotiating table in Havana, as soon as possible, given the date for signing the agreements is approaching so fast that there is a risk of missing this historic opportunity to ensure the non-repetition of the exclusion based on discrimination against ethnic groups in Colombia.
Sincerely,
Yellen Aguilar, independiente researcher, PCN.
Oscar Almario, Dept. of History, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín
Juan Ricardo Aparicio, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
Gerardo Ardila, Instituto de Estudios Urbanos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Jaime Arocha, Miembro Comité Científico Internacional, Proyecto UNESCO La Ruta del
Esclavo, Resistencia, Libertad y Patrimonio
Kiran Asher, Dept of Women, Gender and Sexuality University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
Teo Ballvé, Dept of Geography, Colgate University, USA
Michael Birenbaum Quintero, Departament of Latinamerican and Ethnomusicology Studies, Boston University
Mario Blaser, Dept. of Geografía, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Patricia Botero Gómez, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas, Universidad de Manizales
Marisol de la Cadena, Dept. of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, USA
Juana Camacho, Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia, ICANH
Juan Camilo Cárdenas, Depto. de Economía, Universidad de los Andes
Dayana Campo, Universidad del Valle. Cali.
María Mercedes Campo, investigadora independiente, Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico. Cali.
José Jorge de Carvalho, Profesor de Antropología de la Universidad de Brasília
María Eugenia Chaves, Depto. de Historia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín
Manuel Cipriano Rodríguez, Universidad de los Andes. Bogotá.
Anthony Dest, Dept of Latinamerican Studies, U of Texas, Austin., USA
Gustavo de Roux, Investigador Independiente, Cali
Arturo Escobar, Dept. of Antropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Natalia Escobar, Investigadora independiente. Cali.
Gustavo Esteva, Universidad de la Tierra, Oaxaca, México
Ann Farsnworth-Alvear, University of Pensilvania
Margarita Flórez, Investigadora independiente.
Diana Marcela Gómez, Depto. Antropología, Universidad de Carolina del Norte, Chapel Hill
Ramón Grosfogel, Depto. de Estudios Étnicos, U. de California, Berkeley.
Laura Gutiérrez, Dept of. Antropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Charles Hale, Dept. of Antropology, University of Texas, Austin, USA
Juli Hazlewood, Consultant, UNESCO, Quito, Ecuador
Soren Hvalkof, Rainforest Foundation UK, London
Gladys Jimeno, Expert in Derechos Humanos, Bogotá, Colombia
Joseph Jordan, Professor of Afroamerican Studies, U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Agustin Laó, Dept.of Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
Javier Laviña, Profesor Titular de Historia de América, Universitat de Barcelona
Claudia Leal, Depto. de Historia, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá
Enrique Leff, Profesor de Ecología, UNAM, México
David López Matta, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Ambientales, U. del Valle, Cali
Betty Ruth Lozano, Investigadora Independiente, Cali
Marilyn Machado, Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico, investigadora independiente, PCN, Kuagro.
Marta Luz Machado, Independent Researccher, Amsterdam
Marlin Mancilla Cajiao, Independente Researcher, Santander de Quilichao, Cauca.
Sofia Medina, Universidad del Valle. Congreso de los Pueblos. Cali.
César Monje, Ecologist and Independent Researcher, Bogotá, Colombia
Natalia Ocoró Grajales, Universidad del Valle, Universidad Libre, Cali. Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico.
Karl Offen, Dept of Geography, Universidad de Oklahoma, USA
Ulrich Oslender, Global and Sociocultural Studies, Florida International U., Miami
Elba Mercedes Palacios, Universidad del Valle, Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico y Trenza Teatro. Cali.
Alejandro Parellada, IWGIA, Copenhague, Dinamarca
Tianna Paschel, Dept.of Sociology, University of Chicago, USA
Diana Pombo Holguín, Independent Researcher, Oaxaca, México.
Jean Rahier, African & Diasporic Studies, Florida International University, Miami
Joanne Rappaport, Dept. of Antropology, Georgetown University, Washington, USA
Eduardo Restrepo, Instituto Pensar, Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
Dianne Rocheleau, Dept of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, USA
Manuel Rodríguez Becerra, Facultad de Administración, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá
Axel Rojas, Departamento de Estudios Interculturales, U. del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
Charo Mina Rojas, PCN, Kuagro.
Cristina Rojas, Dept. of Political Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Jeannette Rojas Silva, Independent Researcher, Cali
Amanda Romero, Consultora y profesora ocasional, Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, UPN
Mario Diego Romero, Depto. de Historia, Universidad del Valle, Cali
Carlos Rosero, Independent Researcher, PCN.
Jhon Anton Sanchez, Researcher and Professor, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, Quito.
Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Michael Taussig (Mateo Mina), Dept of Antropology, Columbia University,
María Alejandra Vélez, Universidad de los Andes. Bogotá.
Hildebrando Vélez, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Ambientales, U. del Valle, Cali
Irene Velez-Torres, Depto.de Geografía, Universidad de Copenhagen, Dinamarca
Aurora Vergara, Centro de Estudios Afrodiaspóricos. Universidad Icesi. Cali.
Peter Wade, Dept. of Antropology, Manchester University, UK
Viviane Weitzner, Centro de Investigaciones y Est. Superiores en Antropología Social, CIESAS, México
Catherine Walsh, Estudios Culturales Latinoamericanos, U. Andina Simón Bolívar, Quito
Esther Ojulari, ACSN (Afro-Colombian Solidarity Network)
Sheila Gruner, Algoma University and Universidad Pontificia Javeriana
Patricia Vargas Sarmiento, Antropologist and historian.
14 February 2016
Sirs,
Humberto de la Calle L., Chief Peace Negotiator for the Colombian Government
Sergio Jaramillo, High Commissioner for Peace
Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, FARC Commander, Peace Negotiations Delegate
GAIDEPAC –Group of Academics and Intellectuals in Defense of the Colombian Pacific – is a network of people in Colombia, North America and Europe with particular interest in the realities and challenges that the Black and Indigenous communities face in the region of the Colombian Pacific. We have been following the advances in the dialogues between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP in Havana, with great interest and anticipation.
We are concerned however, that a space in the dialogues has not been opened to Black and Indigenous peoples. It is precisely these groups who have been most affected by the internal armed conflict. We are aware that neither of the two parties in the negotiations has replied publicly to the letters and other communications that have been sent directly by national representative organizations. Since 2014, the National Afrocolombian Authority –ANAFRO- and the Afrocolombian National Council for Peace –CONPA-, to name only two of these organizations, have sent various forms of communication, including letters, communiques and messages to the two parties in Havana, in order to ensure that the Afrocolombian and Indigenous people are heard in relation to their rights, perspectives and territories, as well as regarding the pending implications of the peace agreements for these communities in the post-accord period.
According to Colombian legal regulation, we consider it essential and logical that ethnic groups have a formal space for participation, one that is comprehensive and differential, in the Havana negotiations, as well as in dialogues that may come to pass between the Government and the ELN – National Liberation Army, particularly as the signing of the accords according to official sources, will take place in approximately 6 weeks. These accords stand to have a significant impact on the lives and territories of these historic communities, who are also subjects of collective rights to autonomy and participation, as well as to the fundamental right to special protection by the Colombian State.
Rights for Indigenous and Afrodescendent people established in the Constitution of 1991 include the right to active participation, the right to be consulted on the policies and projects that stand to affect their communities, identity and territories. It is without doubt that the peace accords contain significant content related to the territories and rights of the Afrodescendent and Indigenous people including: zones proposed for campesino reserves and concentration, new commissions and programs related to the substitution of illicit crops in ancestral and ethnic territories, together with the implications for the formalization of property in regions in or near ethnic territories, among many other elements that will have effects on the Afrocolombian community councils and their communities, as well as for Indigenous cabildos and the populations they represent. Despite this, there is sparse mention of community councils and cabildos in the accords, which leaves us to question whether the forms of self-government in ethnic communities stand to be marginalized via the accords and their implementation.
If there is a sincere desire to include ethnic communities in the construction of peace in the country, and to ensure a long-lasting peace that reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of Colombian society as is formulated in the Constitution of the country, there should be no hesitation in extending the invitation, immediately and urgently, to the representative organizations of Afrodescendent and Indigenous peoples.
We reiterate our support for the advances in the peace process between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP, and we sincerely hope that cogent and sustainable agreements are reached, and that these can be implemented in a way that recognizes ethnic authorities and communities as principle actors in the construction of peace in ancestral territories and urban regions of the country. Without the participation of Afrocolombian and Indigenous people, a durable and sustainable peace is not possible. The conditions of marginalization, violence, displacement and poverty, historical discrimination – recognized and persistent -, the concentration of land and lack of meaningful space for political participation, have been the basis of the conflict, and these issues cannot be resolved, denying again the direct and autonomous participation of these groups, denying the rights established in the Colombian Constitution regarding consultation on that which affects ethnic communities, their identities and territories.
In order that the agreements have significance for the communities most affected by the conflict, recognition and strengthening of ethnic authorities is necessary, towards the construction of a real and possible peace. With the direct and comprehensive participation of ethnic communities, peace will imply the creation of strategies to counteract the recognized and increasing environmental degradation, resulting from a combination of factors among which, in particular, are the consequences of the armed conflict for the sustaining of an economic model based on extractive development. Peace with ethnic communities will strengthen local economies and the multiple viable alternatives to the problems generated by conflict in these regions. Ethnic participation in the peace negotiations will greatly contribute to the non-repetition of crimes, multiple forms of violence, and exclusion based on racial discrimination, which has so marked the history of Colombia. At the same time, in material terms, armed confrontations, assassinations, and threats to ethnic leaders, have not ceased during the negotiations in Havana.
We emphasize and deeply urge both parties to recognize the need to officially invite representatives of the Black and Indigenous peoples, to the negotiating table in Havana, as soon as possible, given the date for signing the agreements is approaching so fast that there is a risk of missing this historic opportunity to ensure the non-repetition of the exclusion based on discrimination against ethnic groups in Colombia.
Sincerely,
Yellen Aguilar, independiente researcher, PCN.
Oscar Almario, Dept. of History, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín
Juan Ricardo Aparicio, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
Gerardo Ardila, Instituto de Estudios Urbanos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Jaime Arocha, Miembro Comité Científico Internacional, Proyecto UNESCO La Ruta del
Esclavo, Resistencia, Libertad y Patrimonio
Kiran Asher, Dept of Women, Gender and Sexuality University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
Teo Ballvé, Dept of Geography, Colgate University, USA
Michael Birenbaum Quintero, Departament of Latinamerican and Ethnomusicology Studies, Boston University
Mario Blaser, Dept. of Geografía, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Patricia Botero Gómez, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas, Universidad de Manizales
Marisol de la Cadena, Dept. of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, USA
Juana Camacho, Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia, ICANH
Juan Camilo Cárdenas, Depto. de Economía, Universidad de los Andes
Dayana Campo, Universidad del Valle. Cali.
María Mercedes Campo, investigadora independiente, Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico. Cali.
José Jorge de Carvalho, Profesor de Antropología de la Universidad de Brasília
María Eugenia Chaves, Depto. de Historia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín
Manuel Cipriano Rodríguez, Universidad de los Andes. Bogotá.
Anthony Dest, Dept of Latinamerican Studies, U of Texas, Austin., USA
Gustavo de Roux, Investigador Independiente, Cali
Arturo Escobar, Dept. of Antropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Natalia Escobar, Investigadora independiente. Cali.
Gustavo Esteva, Universidad de la Tierra, Oaxaca, México
Ann Farsnworth-Alvear, University of Pensilvania
Margarita Flórez, Investigadora independiente.
Diana Marcela Gómez, Depto. Antropología, Universidad de Carolina del Norte, Chapel Hill
Ramón Grosfogel, Depto. de Estudios Étnicos, U. de California, Berkeley.
Laura Gutiérrez, Dept of. Antropology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Charles Hale, Dept. of Antropology, University of Texas, Austin, USA
Juli Hazlewood, Consultant, UNESCO, Quito, Ecuador
Soren Hvalkof, Rainforest Foundation UK, London
Gladys Jimeno, Expert in Derechos Humanos, Bogotá, Colombia
Joseph Jordan, Professor of Afroamerican Studies, U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Agustin Laó, Dept.of Sociology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA
Javier Laviña, Profesor Titular de Historia de América, Universitat de Barcelona
Claudia Leal, Depto. de Historia, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá
Enrique Leff, Profesor de Ecología, UNAM, México
David López Matta, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Ambientales, U. del Valle, Cali
Betty Ruth Lozano, Investigadora Independiente, Cali
Marilyn Machado, Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico, investigadora independiente, PCN, Kuagro.
Marta Luz Machado, Independent Researccher, Amsterdam
Marlin Mancilla Cajiao, Independente Researcher, Santander de Quilichao, Cauca.
Sofia Medina, Universidad del Valle. Congreso de los Pueblos. Cali.
César Monje, Ecologist and Independent Researcher, Bogotá, Colombia
Natalia Ocoró Grajales, Universidad del Valle, Universidad Libre, Cali. Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico.
Karl Offen, Dept of Geography, Universidad de Oklahoma, USA
Ulrich Oslender, Global and Sociocultural Studies, Florida International U., Miami
Elba Mercedes Palacios, Universidad del Valle, Colectivo Sentipensar Afrodiaspórico y Trenza Teatro. Cali.
Alejandro Parellada, IWGIA, Copenhague, Dinamarca
Tianna Paschel, Dept.of Sociology, University of Chicago, USA
Diana Pombo Holguín, Independent Researcher, Oaxaca, México.
Jean Rahier, African & Diasporic Studies, Florida International University, Miami
Joanne Rappaport, Dept. of Antropology, Georgetown University, Washington, USA
Eduardo Restrepo, Instituto Pensar, Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
Dianne Rocheleau, Dept of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, USA
Manuel Rodríguez Becerra, Facultad de Administración, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá
Axel Rojas, Departamento de Estudios Interculturales, U. del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
Charo Mina Rojas, PCN, Kuagro.
Cristina Rojas, Dept. of Political Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Jeannette Rojas Silva, Independent Researcher, Cali
Amanda Romero, Consultora y profesora ocasional, Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, UPN
Mario Diego Romero, Depto. de Historia, Universidad del Valle, Cali
Carlos Rosero, Independent Researcher, PCN.
Jhon Anton Sanchez, Researcher and Professor, Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales, Quito.
Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Michael Taussig (Mateo Mina), Dept of Antropology, Columbia University,
María Alejandra Vélez, Universidad de los Andes. Bogotá.
Hildebrando Vélez, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Ambientales, U. del Valle, Cali
Irene Velez-Torres, Depto.de Geografía, Universidad de Copenhagen, Dinamarca
Aurora Vergara, Centro de Estudios Afrodiaspóricos. Universidad Icesi. Cali.
Peter Wade, Dept. of Antropology, Manchester University, UK
Viviane Weitzner, Centro de Investigaciones y Est. Superiores en Antropología Social, CIESAS, México
Catherine Walsh, Estudios Culturales Latinoamericanos, U. Andina Simón Bolívar, Quito
Esther Ojulari, ACSN (Afro-Colombian Solidarity Network)
Sheila Gruner, Algoma University and Universidad Pontificia Javeriana
Patricia Vargas Sarmiento, Antropologist and historian.
Why Did the U.S. & Canada Quash a
Final Declaration at the O.A.S.?
Toronto Forum on Cuba
4/16/2015
The Organization of American States (O.A.S.) Summit, which was held on April 10-11 did not result with a final declaration, due to the United States and Canada -read the "other America"- having helped to quash it!
It was the first time that revolutionary Cuba attended since 1962 (when the island was expelled due to the United States’ pressures and colonizing efforts), because of the wave of support and solidarity it received from almost every single Latin American and Caribbean country.
To understand why there was no final declaration we should first note that the parallel Summit of the Peoples’ final declaration, which took place two days prior to the O.A.S. Summit, demanded the following.... read more here!
It was the first time that revolutionary Cuba attended since 1962 (when the island was expelled due to the United States’ pressures and colonizing efforts), because of the wave of support and solidarity it received from almost every single Latin American and Caribbean country.
To understand why there was no final declaration we should first note that the parallel Summit of the Peoples’ final declaration, which took place two days prior to the O.A.S. Summit, demanded the following.... read more here!
MARCH 11, 2015 - TORONTO, CANADA
LACSN - LATINOAMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN SOLIDARITY NETWORK
DECLARA:
LAS ORGANIZACIONES ABAJO
FIRMANTES RECHAZAMOS ROTUNDAMENTE LAS DECLARACIONES DEL PRESIDENTE DE LOS
ESTADOS UNIDOS DE NORTEAMERICA , SR. BARAK OBAMA , HECHAS EL DIA 9 DE MARZO -
2015 DONDE EXPRESO UNA ABIERTA AMENAZA E INJERENCIA CONTRA LA REPUBLICA
BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA AL DECLARAR LA PATRIA DE BOLIVAR COMO "UNA
AMENAZA PARA LA SEGURIDAD NACIONAL DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS".
UNA VEZ MAS EL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EN LA VOZ DE SU PRESIDENTE BARAK OBAMA, ATACA AL LEGITIMO GOBIERNO DE LA REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA Y A SU PRESIDENTE NICOLAS MADURO, QUIEN FUE ELEGIDO DEMOCRATICAMENTE EN UN PROCESO ELECTORAL AMPLIAMENTE RECONOCIDO COMO LIMPIO Y EJEMPLAR . PROCESO ELECTORAL APEGADO A LA CONSTITUCION VENEZOLANA Y A LAS NORMAS INTERNACIONALES.
VENEZUELA BOLIVARIANA HA DEMOSTRADO SU RESPETO A LA DEMOCRACIA Y A LA PAZ REGIONAL E INTERNACIONAL, HA SIDO PROMOTORA DE ACUERDOS DE INTEGRACION REGIONAL PACIFICOS, HUMANISTAS Y DE PROFUNDO DESARROLLO SOCIAL EN BENEFICIO DE MILLONES DE VENEZOLANOS COMO DE MILLONES DE HABITANTES DE LA REGION LATINO AMERICANA Y DEL CARIBE .
TODOS ESTOS ACUERDOS HAN SIDO LOGRADOS SOBRE EL RESPETO A LA SOBERANIA DE LAS NACIONES FIRMANTES. VENEZUELA BOLIVARIANA HA DEMOSTRADO REPETIDAMENTE SU CARACTER PACIFISTA Y SU RESPETO A LAS NORMAS DE CONVIVENCIA INTERNACIONAL.
POR EL CONTRARIO, EL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE NORTEAMERICA HA COMPROBADO UNA VEZ MAS SU CARACTER AGRESOR Y SU CONSTANTE INJERENCIA CONTRA LA PATRIA DE BOLIVAR, DE ZAMORA Y DEL COMANDANTE ETERNO HUGO CHAVEZ. DESCONOCE LA SOBERANIA, LA INDEPENDENCIA Y LA AUTODETERMINACION DE LOS PUEBLOS, DE LAS NACIONES Y DE LOS GOBIERNOS QUE NO SE DOBLEGAN ANTE SU POLITICA HEGEMONICA.
LA RED DE SOLIDARIDAD LATINOAMERICANA Y CARiBEÑA CONDENA Y RECHAZA LA POLITICA INJERENCISTA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, RECHAZA LAS DECLARACIONES DEL PRESIDENTE OBAMA POR SU CARACTER AGRESOR, POR SU POSICION HEGEMONICA Y POR SU POSICION IMPERIALISTA IRRESPETUOSA DE LA SOBERANIA, LA INDEPENDIENCIA Y LA AUTODETERMINACION DE LAS NACIONES Y POR SU CLARA INTENCION BELICISTA CONTRA VENEZUELA BOLIVARIANA Y SU LEGITIMO GOBIERNO ENCABEZADO POR EL PRESIDENTE NICOLAS MADURO.
EXIGIMOS AL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS RESPETO A LA PAZ, RESPETO A LAS NORMAS INTERNACIONALES DE CONVIVENCIA Y RESPETO A LA SOBERANIA DE LA REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA.
APOYAMOS LAS DECLARACIONES DEL PRESIDENTE NICOLAS MADURO RECHAZANDO LAS AMENAZAS DEL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, Y RESPALDAMOS AL GOBIERNO BOLIVARIANO VENEZOLANO, AL PUEBLO VENEZOLANO Y A SUS INSTITUCIONES EN SU DECISION DE NO DEJARSE INTIMIDAR Y EN SU POSTURA DEFENSIVA DEL PROCESO BOLIVARIANO Y LAS CONQUISTAS SOCIALES LOGRADAS HASTA EL PRESENTE.
UNA VEZ MAS EL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EN LA VOZ DE SU PRESIDENTE BARAK OBAMA, ATACA AL LEGITIMO GOBIERNO DE LA REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA Y A SU PRESIDENTE NICOLAS MADURO, QUIEN FUE ELEGIDO DEMOCRATICAMENTE EN UN PROCESO ELECTORAL AMPLIAMENTE RECONOCIDO COMO LIMPIO Y EJEMPLAR . PROCESO ELECTORAL APEGADO A LA CONSTITUCION VENEZOLANA Y A LAS NORMAS INTERNACIONALES.
VENEZUELA BOLIVARIANA HA DEMOSTRADO SU RESPETO A LA DEMOCRACIA Y A LA PAZ REGIONAL E INTERNACIONAL, HA SIDO PROMOTORA DE ACUERDOS DE INTEGRACION REGIONAL PACIFICOS, HUMANISTAS Y DE PROFUNDO DESARROLLO SOCIAL EN BENEFICIO DE MILLONES DE VENEZOLANOS COMO DE MILLONES DE HABITANTES DE LA REGION LATINO AMERICANA Y DEL CARIBE .
TODOS ESTOS ACUERDOS HAN SIDO LOGRADOS SOBRE EL RESPETO A LA SOBERANIA DE LAS NACIONES FIRMANTES. VENEZUELA BOLIVARIANA HA DEMOSTRADO REPETIDAMENTE SU CARACTER PACIFISTA Y SU RESPETO A LAS NORMAS DE CONVIVENCIA INTERNACIONAL.
POR EL CONTRARIO, EL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE NORTEAMERICA HA COMPROBADO UNA VEZ MAS SU CARACTER AGRESOR Y SU CONSTANTE INJERENCIA CONTRA LA PATRIA DE BOLIVAR, DE ZAMORA Y DEL COMANDANTE ETERNO HUGO CHAVEZ. DESCONOCE LA SOBERANIA, LA INDEPENDENCIA Y LA AUTODETERMINACION DE LOS PUEBLOS, DE LAS NACIONES Y DE LOS GOBIERNOS QUE NO SE DOBLEGAN ANTE SU POLITICA HEGEMONICA.
LA RED DE SOLIDARIDAD LATINOAMERICANA Y CARiBEÑA CONDENA Y RECHAZA LA POLITICA INJERENCISTA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, RECHAZA LAS DECLARACIONES DEL PRESIDENTE OBAMA POR SU CARACTER AGRESOR, POR SU POSICION HEGEMONICA Y POR SU POSICION IMPERIALISTA IRRESPETUOSA DE LA SOBERANIA, LA INDEPENDIENCIA Y LA AUTODETERMINACION DE LAS NACIONES Y POR SU CLARA INTENCION BELICISTA CONTRA VENEZUELA BOLIVARIANA Y SU LEGITIMO GOBIERNO ENCABEZADO POR EL PRESIDENTE NICOLAS MADURO.
EXIGIMOS AL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS RESPETO A LA PAZ, RESPETO A LAS NORMAS INTERNACIONALES DE CONVIVENCIA Y RESPETO A LA SOBERANIA DE LA REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA.
APOYAMOS LAS DECLARACIONES DEL PRESIDENTE NICOLAS MADURO RECHAZANDO LAS AMENAZAS DEL GOBIERNO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, Y RESPALDAMOS AL GOBIERNO BOLIVARIANO VENEZOLANO, AL PUEBLO VENEZOLANO Y A SUS INSTITUCIONES EN SU DECISION DE NO DEJARSE INTIMIDAR Y EN SU POSTURA DEFENSIVA DEL PROCESO BOLIVARIANO Y LAS CONQUISTAS SOCIALES LOGRADAS HASTA EL PRESENTE.
ORGANIZACIONES FIRMANTES:
CIRCULO BOLIVARIANO LOUIS RIEL, TORONTO
MOVIMIENTO DE SOLIDARIDAD BOLIVIANA- TORONTO, CANADA: TORONTO BOLIVIAN SOLIDARITY
ROMPIENDO EL SILENCIO, TORONTO, CANADA: BREAKING THE SILENCE
RED CONTRA LA INJUSTICIA MINERA. TORONTO, MINING INJUSTICE NETWORK
CASA: COLOMBIAN ACCION SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION, TORONTO
CASA SALVADOR ALLENDE, TORONTO
GRUPO CULTURAL VICTOR JARA, TORONTO
GRUPO ACCION HONDURAS, TORONTO
INTERNACIONALISTAS ESPAÑOLES POR LA PAZ Y CONTRA EL FASCISMO, TORONTO
CIRCULO BOLIVARIANO LOUIS RIEL, TORONTO
MOVIMIENTO DE SOLIDARIDAD BOLIVIANA- TORONTO, CANADA: TORONTO BOLIVIAN SOLIDARITY
ROMPIENDO EL SILENCIO, TORONTO, CANADA: BREAKING THE SILENCE
RED CONTRA LA INJUSTICIA MINERA. TORONTO, MINING INJUSTICE NETWORK
CASA: COLOMBIAN ACCION SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION, TORONTO
CASA SALVADOR ALLENDE, TORONTO
GRUPO CULTURAL VICTOR JARA, TORONTO
GRUPO ACCION HONDURAS, TORONTO
INTERNACIONALISTAS ESPAÑOLES POR LA PAZ Y CONTRA EL FASCISMO, TORONTO
Solidarity statement – Canadians condemn attempt of coup d'état led by the Venezuelan opposition
We
The undersigned, condemn the violence perpetuated by a small sector of the fascist right-wing in different cities across Venezuela in the last days, in an attempt to destabilize the county in a similar fashion as it was done with President Hugo Chávez, on April 2002.
We express our solidarity with the families of the victims and the wounded as well as with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters who struggle for peace, sovereignty and social justice.
We strongly denounce the plan to undermine and overthrow the Bolivarian Revolution, the legacy of President Hugo Chavez, and the legitimate and constitutional government under President Nicolás Maduro.
We support the Venezuelan government’s right to stop violent protestors and to defend the revolution as elected by the people. The Bolivarian process has won more elections than any other government in the world, having won 17 out of the last 18 elections.
This is just part of the indisputable democratic and participatory nature of the Bolivarian Revolution that it is supported by the majority of the Venezuelan people.
We condemn the well-documented bias in the corporate media that looks to generate support for the most violent and undemocratic elements of Venezuela's opposition by distorting the reality in in the country. This is part of a larger campaign, funded by imperialist governments, mainly by the U.S. and other agents of capital in and outside of Venezuela, who reject the self-determination of Venezuela's people to construct socialism in their country. These sectors are the enemies of Venezuela's people and they seek to exploit and profit from the natural resources of Latin America at any cost, including bloodshed.
From Canada we declare our unconditional support for the self-determination of the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian revolution.
Venezuela´s people deserve peace!
(Names by alphabetical order)
Anti Colonialist Working Group
Barrio Nuevo
Canadian and Quebec sections of the International League of People’s Struggles
Hugo Chavez People’s Defense Front
KW Occupy
KW Basics News
Kitchner Spot Collective
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network
Movimiento Todxs a La Moneda-Ontario
Red de Amigos de la Revolución Ciudadana
Sunday Poetry
Todxs a La Moneda-Ontario
The undersigned, condemn the violence perpetuated by a small sector of the fascist right-wing in different cities across Venezuela in the last days, in an attempt to destabilize the county in a similar fashion as it was done with President Hugo Chávez, on April 2002.
We express our solidarity with the families of the victims and the wounded as well as with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters who struggle for peace, sovereignty and social justice.
We strongly denounce the plan to undermine and overthrow the Bolivarian Revolution, the legacy of President Hugo Chavez, and the legitimate and constitutional government under President Nicolás Maduro.
We support the Venezuelan government’s right to stop violent protestors and to defend the revolution as elected by the people. The Bolivarian process has won more elections than any other government in the world, having won 17 out of the last 18 elections.
This is just part of the indisputable democratic and participatory nature of the Bolivarian Revolution that it is supported by the majority of the Venezuelan people.
We condemn the well-documented bias in the corporate media that looks to generate support for the most violent and undemocratic elements of Venezuela's opposition by distorting the reality in in the country. This is part of a larger campaign, funded by imperialist governments, mainly by the U.S. and other agents of capital in and outside of Venezuela, who reject the self-determination of Venezuela's people to construct socialism in their country. These sectors are the enemies of Venezuela's people and they seek to exploit and profit from the natural resources of Latin America at any cost, including bloodshed.
From Canada we declare our unconditional support for the self-determination of the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian revolution.
Venezuela´s people deserve peace!
(Names by alphabetical order)
Anti Colonialist Working Group
Barrio Nuevo
Canadian and Quebec sections of the International League of People’s Struggles
Hugo Chavez People’s Defense Front
KW Occupy
KW Basics News
Kitchner Spot Collective
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network
Movimiento Todxs a La Moneda-Ontario
Red de Amigos de la Revolución Ciudadana
Sunday Poetry
Todxs a La Moneda-Ontario
LACSN mourns the death of comandante President Hugo Chávez Frías
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) mourns the death of comandante President Hugo Chávez Frías a great leader who brought to fruition the Bolivarian dream of regional integration through The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of our Américas (ALBA).
He championed the rights of the poor and marginalized bringing a life of dignity, access to education, housing and health care. Through his leadership Chavez changed the composition of the economy and society by integrating the values of a socialist Bolivarian revolution with Communal Councils, Workers Councils and other community organizations.
His government instituted social programs, through the Misiones Bolivarianas which leaves a legacy of a humanist socialism. Chavez’ socialist Bolivarian revolution has stood firm against imperialism around the globe.
Thousands have gathered in Bolivar Square in Caracas and
Miraflores presidential palace in memory and support to the Bolivarian Revolution.
He championed the rights of the poor and marginalized bringing a life of dignity, access to education, housing and health care. Through his leadership Chavez changed the composition of the economy and society by integrating the values of a socialist Bolivarian revolution with Communal Councils, Workers Councils and other community organizations.
His government instituted social programs, through the Misiones Bolivarianas which leaves a legacy of a humanist socialism. Chavez’ socialist Bolivarian revolution has stood firm against imperialism around the globe.
Thousands have gathered in Bolivar Square in Caracas and
Miraflores presidential palace in memory and support to the Bolivarian Revolution.
Please visit our calendar for a listing of events honouring the memory of Hugo Chávez
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Messages from members of the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network Rejects Jim Karygiannis´ petition
Letter sent by LACSN on Jan. 23rd, 2013
Your Venezuela petition is simply ignorant and offensive
Hon. Jim Karygiannis, MP
Scarborough-Agincourt
Dear Mr. Karygiannis:
As Liberal Critic for Multiculturalism we note that you have set up a petition to the Conservative Government to have an emergency debate on Venezuela's democracy, "calling for the Canadian Government to support the Venezuelan diaspora's efforts of restoring true democracy to Venezuela". You state that "the people of Venezuela are suffering daily at the hands of Hugo Chavez".
You have unfortunately fallen victim to the this small group, supporters of the very the elites who ran the country for 40 years when human rights were violated with impunity and the international community paid no heed to people disappearing, torture and murders, CIA led secret police, and the slaughter by the state forces of 3,000 humble people on the Streets of Caracas in 1989. They all supported the kidnapping of President Hugo Chávez and the coup d'etat that deposed his government in 2002. Coup that lasted 48 hours as the people rose up to demand his re-instatement.
It is a sad truth that it is the indigenous and black ancestry of Hugo Chávez is that underlies the anger of these people against him.
My community, progressive Latin Americans in Canada, far outnumbers this tiny elite supporters, and we support Venezuela's democracy. We have flourishing organizations that represent us, we have newspapers, electronic newsletters, and community radio programs.
We want to know if this is what we can expect of Canada's Foreign Affairs policy toward Latin America if your party were to form the government, because it is willfully ignorant attitudes like this that has led to Canada being excluded from a key and strategic organization, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) poised to be much more influential than the OAS.
Will the Liberal Party continue Harper's antagonism to the progressive democratic governments in the region such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Nicaragua, Cuba, Uruguay?
Does the Liberal Party understand that the democratic government of President Hugo Chavez enjoys the full support even of the neighbouring countries, that do not espouse socialist policies including Colombia, Peru and Mexico? Just last week the government of Panama fired its ambassador to the OAS for slurs to the Venezuelan democratic process.
Did you know:
-That President Jimmy Carter, whose organization the Carter Centre, has monitored all the elections in the country has recently declared "I would say the election process in Venezuela is the best in the world." (The Real News)
- That the people of Venezuela instead of suffering, are now enjoying for the first time in decades the respect of their human rights, to the extent that Venezuela was elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council on November 12, 2012, receiving 154 votes, easily exceeding the required 97 votes.
-That Venezuela is tied with Finland as the 5th most happy country in the world (Gallup Poll, 2012), and it is no wonder due to its achievements, some of which are:
- the elimination of illiteracy recognized by UNESCO
- the reduction of poverty by half and extreme poverty by 70%
- millions for the first time have access to health care
- college enrolment has more than doubled the number of people
receiving old age pensions has quadrupled
Our community will publish a condemnation of your petition and the Liberal Party in all our media resources unless this petition is cancelled as soon as possible.
We ask you to reflect and cancel this petition that does not reflect well on your party. We are willing to meet with you any time to place before you solid facts with references, on any aspect of Venezuelan democracy.
Sincerely,
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network
[email protected]
http://lacsn.weebly.com/
cc. Bob Rae
Justin Trudeau
Marc Garneau
George Takach
Martin Cauchon
The Official Opposition New Democrats
Your Venezuela petition is simply ignorant and offensive
Hon. Jim Karygiannis, MP
Scarborough-Agincourt
Dear Mr. Karygiannis:
As Liberal Critic for Multiculturalism we note that you have set up a petition to the Conservative Government to have an emergency debate on Venezuela's democracy, "calling for the Canadian Government to support the Venezuelan diaspora's efforts of restoring true democracy to Venezuela". You state that "the people of Venezuela are suffering daily at the hands of Hugo Chavez".
You have unfortunately fallen victim to the this small group, supporters of the very the elites who ran the country for 40 years when human rights were violated with impunity and the international community paid no heed to people disappearing, torture and murders, CIA led secret police, and the slaughter by the state forces of 3,000 humble people on the Streets of Caracas in 1989. They all supported the kidnapping of President Hugo Chávez and the coup d'etat that deposed his government in 2002. Coup that lasted 48 hours as the people rose up to demand his re-instatement.
It is a sad truth that it is the indigenous and black ancestry of Hugo Chávez is that underlies the anger of these people against him.
My community, progressive Latin Americans in Canada, far outnumbers this tiny elite supporters, and we support Venezuela's democracy. We have flourishing organizations that represent us, we have newspapers, electronic newsletters, and community radio programs.
We want to know if this is what we can expect of Canada's Foreign Affairs policy toward Latin America if your party were to form the government, because it is willfully ignorant attitudes like this that has led to Canada being excluded from a key and strategic organization, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) poised to be much more influential than the OAS.
Will the Liberal Party continue Harper's antagonism to the progressive democratic governments in the region such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Nicaragua, Cuba, Uruguay?
Does the Liberal Party understand that the democratic government of President Hugo Chavez enjoys the full support even of the neighbouring countries, that do not espouse socialist policies including Colombia, Peru and Mexico? Just last week the government of Panama fired its ambassador to the OAS for slurs to the Venezuelan democratic process.
Did you know:
-That President Jimmy Carter, whose organization the Carter Centre, has monitored all the elections in the country has recently declared "I would say the election process in Venezuela is the best in the world." (The Real News)
- That the people of Venezuela instead of suffering, are now enjoying for the first time in decades the respect of their human rights, to the extent that Venezuela was elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council on November 12, 2012, receiving 154 votes, easily exceeding the required 97 votes.
-That Venezuela is tied with Finland as the 5th most happy country in the world (Gallup Poll, 2012), and it is no wonder due to its achievements, some of which are:
- the elimination of illiteracy recognized by UNESCO
- the reduction of poverty by half and extreme poverty by 70%
- millions for the first time have access to health care
- college enrolment has more than doubled the number of people
receiving old age pensions has quadrupled
Our community will publish a condemnation of your petition and the Liberal Party in all our media resources unless this petition is cancelled as soon as possible.
We ask you to reflect and cancel this petition that does not reflect well on your party. We are willing to meet with you any time to place before you solid facts with references, on any aspect of Venezuelan democracy.
Sincerely,
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network
[email protected]
http://lacsn.weebly.com/
cc. Bob Rae
Justin Trudeau
Marc Garneau
George Takach
Martin Cauchon
The Official Opposition New Democrats
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network in solidarity with
Idle No More
poster - Poster Dwayne Bird
Across the Americas, Indigenous communities are leading the struggle to protect the earth and resist colonialism. Over the past few weeks, people across Turtle Island have risen up to assert Indigenous sovereignty and to protect the land and water. Idle No More, a coordinated, strategic movement, started by Indigenous women, has been joined by other nations and allies across the country.
The movement was sparked by Prime Minister Harper’s lack of consultation with original peoples when his government passed Bill C-45,the omnibus legislation impacting water rights and land rights under the Indian Act.
These actions violate basic international human rights standards, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that require any decisions affecting the rights of Indigenous peoples to be made only with their full participation.
Idle No More seeks to unite all people by calling on them to “join in a revolution which honours and fulfills original people’s sovereignty which protects the land and water. We must repair these violations, live the spirit and intent of the treaty relationship, work towards justice in action, and protect mother earth”.
Indigenous peoples have always asserted sovereignty over their lands, systems of governance, the integrity of their customs, and have been met with either violence of outright dismissal by the state, as in the current case of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and her hunger strike.
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) condemns any act by the Canadian Parliament or Provincial legislatures that perpetuates a system of colonial rule imposed on turtle island, evidenced by the Royal Proclamation Act (1763) along with subsequent legislations up to and including the current Indian Act (R.S.C.1985, c. I-5).
We stand in solidarity with Idle No More grassroots struggle for justice and to protect mother earth. We are deeply moved and inspired by the mobilization of Indigenous communities in defense of sovereignty, land, and water. We recognize that the struggles and liberation of our communities are inextricably tied to that of the indigenous struggles.
LASCN has worked to expose the negative implications of the actions taken by Canadian corporations as they displace Indigenous and campesino communities across the Americas in order to impose top-down large-scale resource extraction projects. Often, these projects cause environmental destruction, community conflict and human rights violations. We are opposed to the collusion between the Canadian government and corporations in failing to consult with original peoples, and campesino communities and the continuation of colonial relations on this continent.
We support Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence in her hunger strike and call for the prime minister and governor general to undertake treaty meetings on these issues and commit to a path of recognition and implementation of treaty commitments. We also support Chief Theresa Spence’s call for coordinated solidarity protests across the country to be undertaken by all.
It is time that we honour the spirit of the Kaswentha, the two row Wampum belt and its principles of peace, friendship and respect.
We are humbled and proud to be in solidarity with Indigenous resistance!
La Red de Solidaridad Latinoamericana y Caribeña está en solidaridad con “Idle No More”
En todas las Américas, comunidades indígenas están protagonizando la lucha para proteger la tierra y para resistir el colonialismo. En las últimas semanas, personas a lo largo de Turtle Island (la Isla de la Tortuga) se han levantado para reclamar su soberanía indígena y para proteger la tierra y el agua. Otras naciones y aliados/as del país se han solidarizado a Idle No More (no mas pasividad), un movimiento estratégico y coordinado que fue iniciado por mujeres Indígenas.
El movimiento fue desencadenado cuando el primer ministro Stephen Harper se negó a consultar con los pueblos originarios cuando su gobierno ratificaba el acuerdo gubernativo C-45, una ley que impacta a los derechos al agua y la tierra, según la Indian Act (Acta India). Estas acciones violan los estándares básicas internacionales de derechos humanos, como la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas que requiere que toda decisión que impacta a los derechos de los pueblos indígenas debe de ser tomada con su completa participación.
Idle No More(no mas pasividad) busca unir a todos los pueblos originarios en una revolución pasiva demandando respeto y que se cumpla la soberanía de los pueblos originarios que protegen a la tierra y el agua. Tenemos que reparar estas violaciones, vivir el espíritu y la intención de los acuerdos, trabajar hacia la justicia en acción y proteger a la Madre Tierra.”
Los pueblos indígenas siempre han afirmado su soberanía sobre sus tierras, sus sistemas de gobernación, la integridad de sus costumbres y tradiciones, y siempre han sido enfrentados a la violencia o el rechazo total, como es el caso actual de la huelga de hambre de la Lideresa Attawapiskat Theresa Spence.
Como LACSN, no vamos a aceptar cualquier acto realizado por el parlamento canadiense o las legislativas provinciales que perpetúan el sistema de colonialismo impuesto en la Isla de la Tortuga, como se ha hecho con la Royal Proclamation Act (1763) y subsiguientes leyes incluyendo el Indian Act (R.S.C. 1985, c.I-5).
La Red de Solidaridad Latinoamericana y Caribeña (LACSN) está en solidaridad con la lucha de Idle No More en su búsqueda de la justicia y de la protección a la madre tierra. Estamos profundamente conmovidos/as por la movilización de comunidades indígenas en defensa de la soberanía, la tierra, y el agua. Reconocemos que las luchas y la liberación de nuestras comunidades están intrínsecamente vinculadas a las luchas indígenas.
LASCN ha hecho el esfuerzo a exponer las implicaciones negativas de las acciones tomadas por las corporaciones canadienses que displacen a las comunidades indígenas y campesinas en todas las Américas cuando impongan desde arriba por abajo sus mega proyectos de extracción. Muchas veces, estos proyectos causan destrucción ambiental, conflicto comunitario y violaciones a los derechos humanos. Estamos en contra de la complicidad entre el gobierno canadiense y las corporaciones ya que deniegan a consultar a los pueblos originarios y campesinos. También, estamos en contra de la continuación de relaciones coloniales en este continente.
Apoyamos a la Lideresa Indígena Attawapiskat Theresa Spence en su huelga de hambre y hacemos el llamado al primer ministro y al fiscal general a realizar reuniones sobre el pacto y comprometerse al camino de reconocimiento e cumplimiento de sus compromisos. También, apoyamos al llamado de la Lideresa Indígena Theresa Spence por la realización de manifestaciones coordinadas en solidaridad en todo el país.
Es hora de honrar el espíritu de la Kaswentha, el Cincho de Wampum de dos filas y sus principios de paz, amistad y respeto.
¡Nos sentimos humildes y orgullosos/as de estar en solidaridad con la Resistencia indígena!
The movement was sparked by Prime Minister Harper’s lack of consultation with original peoples when his government passed Bill C-45,the omnibus legislation impacting water rights and land rights under the Indian Act.
These actions violate basic international human rights standards, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that require any decisions affecting the rights of Indigenous peoples to be made only with their full participation.
Idle No More seeks to unite all people by calling on them to “join in a revolution which honours and fulfills original people’s sovereignty which protects the land and water. We must repair these violations, live the spirit and intent of the treaty relationship, work towards justice in action, and protect mother earth”.
Indigenous peoples have always asserted sovereignty over their lands, systems of governance, the integrity of their customs, and have been met with either violence of outright dismissal by the state, as in the current case of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and her hunger strike.
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) condemns any act by the Canadian Parliament or Provincial legislatures that perpetuates a system of colonial rule imposed on turtle island, evidenced by the Royal Proclamation Act (1763) along with subsequent legislations up to and including the current Indian Act (R.S.C.1985, c. I-5).
We stand in solidarity with Idle No More grassroots struggle for justice and to protect mother earth. We are deeply moved and inspired by the mobilization of Indigenous communities in defense of sovereignty, land, and water. We recognize that the struggles and liberation of our communities are inextricably tied to that of the indigenous struggles.
LASCN has worked to expose the negative implications of the actions taken by Canadian corporations as they displace Indigenous and campesino communities across the Americas in order to impose top-down large-scale resource extraction projects. Often, these projects cause environmental destruction, community conflict and human rights violations. We are opposed to the collusion between the Canadian government and corporations in failing to consult with original peoples, and campesino communities and the continuation of colonial relations on this continent.
We support Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence in her hunger strike and call for the prime minister and governor general to undertake treaty meetings on these issues and commit to a path of recognition and implementation of treaty commitments. We also support Chief Theresa Spence’s call for coordinated solidarity protests across the country to be undertaken by all.
It is time that we honour the spirit of the Kaswentha, the two row Wampum belt and its principles of peace, friendship and respect.
We are humbled and proud to be in solidarity with Indigenous resistance!
La Red de Solidaridad Latinoamericana y Caribeña está en solidaridad con “Idle No More”
En todas las Américas, comunidades indígenas están protagonizando la lucha para proteger la tierra y para resistir el colonialismo. En las últimas semanas, personas a lo largo de Turtle Island (la Isla de la Tortuga) se han levantado para reclamar su soberanía indígena y para proteger la tierra y el agua. Otras naciones y aliados/as del país se han solidarizado a Idle No More (no mas pasividad), un movimiento estratégico y coordinado que fue iniciado por mujeres Indígenas.
El movimiento fue desencadenado cuando el primer ministro Stephen Harper se negó a consultar con los pueblos originarios cuando su gobierno ratificaba el acuerdo gubernativo C-45, una ley que impacta a los derechos al agua y la tierra, según la Indian Act (Acta India). Estas acciones violan los estándares básicas internacionales de derechos humanos, como la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas que requiere que toda decisión que impacta a los derechos de los pueblos indígenas debe de ser tomada con su completa participación.
Idle No More(no mas pasividad) busca unir a todos los pueblos originarios en una revolución pasiva demandando respeto y que se cumpla la soberanía de los pueblos originarios que protegen a la tierra y el agua. Tenemos que reparar estas violaciones, vivir el espíritu y la intención de los acuerdos, trabajar hacia la justicia en acción y proteger a la Madre Tierra.”
Los pueblos indígenas siempre han afirmado su soberanía sobre sus tierras, sus sistemas de gobernación, la integridad de sus costumbres y tradiciones, y siempre han sido enfrentados a la violencia o el rechazo total, como es el caso actual de la huelga de hambre de la Lideresa Attawapiskat Theresa Spence.
Como LACSN, no vamos a aceptar cualquier acto realizado por el parlamento canadiense o las legislativas provinciales que perpetúan el sistema de colonialismo impuesto en la Isla de la Tortuga, como se ha hecho con la Royal Proclamation Act (1763) y subsiguientes leyes incluyendo el Indian Act (R.S.C. 1985, c.I-5).
La Red de Solidaridad Latinoamericana y Caribeña (LACSN) está en solidaridad con la lucha de Idle No More en su búsqueda de la justicia y de la protección a la madre tierra. Estamos profundamente conmovidos/as por la movilización de comunidades indígenas en defensa de la soberanía, la tierra, y el agua. Reconocemos que las luchas y la liberación de nuestras comunidades están intrínsecamente vinculadas a las luchas indígenas.
LASCN ha hecho el esfuerzo a exponer las implicaciones negativas de las acciones tomadas por las corporaciones canadienses que displacen a las comunidades indígenas y campesinas en todas las Américas cuando impongan desde arriba por abajo sus mega proyectos de extracción. Muchas veces, estos proyectos causan destrucción ambiental, conflicto comunitario y violaciones a los derechos humanos. Estamos en contra de la complicidad entre el gobierno canadiense y las corporaciones ya que deniegan a consultar a los pueblos originarios y campesinos. También, estamos en contra de la continuación de relaciones coloniales en este continente.
Apoyamos a la Lideresa Indígena Attawapiskat Theresa Spence en su huelga de hambre y hacemos el llamado al primer ministro y al fiscal general a realizar reuniones sobre el pacto y comprometerse al camino de reconocimiento e cumplimiento de sus compromisos. También, apoyamos al llamado de la Lideresa Indígena Theresa Spence por la realización de manifestaciones coordinadas en solidaridad en todo el país.
Es hora de honrar el espíritu de la Kaswentha, el Cincho de Wampum de dos filas y sus principios de paz, amistad y respeto.
¡Nos sentimos humildes y orgullosos/as de estar en solidaridad con la Resistencia indígena!
URGENT ACTION: Mining activists opposed to MAG Silver’s mine project in Chihuahua, México murdered
We express our indignation and extend our solidarity to the
families of Ismael Solorio Urrutia and his wife Manuela Martha Solís Contreras of the community ejido Benito Juárez, in the municipality of Buenaventura, Chihuahua, Mexico who were gunned down on
Monday October 22, 2012 as they drove their pick-up truck along a main highway to a medical appointment. Both Ismael and Manuela were members of REMA-Barzón Nacional, the Mexican Network of
Mining-Affected Communities and anti-mining activists. According to a statement from the Commission for Solidarity and the Defence of Human Rights (COSYDDHAC), Ismael had been denouncing a smear campaign and threats to his life for weeks.
Just one week ago, El Barzon and other community groups submitted a complaint with the Secretary of Government (Mexican secretary of state) regarding these threats. The human rights group further reports that Ismael and his son were assaulted on October 13, 2012 by a group of employees paid by the El Cascabel mining company. In addition to being key activists opposed to the installation of a mine, they had also been denouncing the drilling of illegal wells in the
Carmen river basin.
El Cascabel is a closely related entity to Vancouver-based mining company MAG Silver and central player in the development of MAG Silver’s 100% owned Cinco de Mayo mine project. Many members of El Barzon and other movements in the municipality opposed the mine, given concerns about the heavy use of groundwater in this arid region.
In response to this tragedy various members of El Barzón have occupied the capital building, demanding Governor César Duarte
provide answers to what they are calling a “state crime." Legislators of the PRI in Chihuahua have been criticized in the press for having a cozy relationship with Canadian mining companies operating in the state and acting favorably toward their interests over those of affected communities.
We ask that the Canadian Embassy urge Mexican authorities and El Cascabel/MAG Silver in Chihuahua to respect the rights of the ejido Benito Juárez and the organization El Barzón and to ensure that community members can oppose the mine operations without fear of violence or stigmatization for defending land and water supplies. All levels of government should guarantee effective, democratic
channels to address the demands of local residents. We also call upon the Mexican judicial system to carry out a full and impartial investigation into the murder of Ismael Solorio Urrutia and his wife Manuela Martha Solís Contreras so as to ensure that the material and intellectual authors of this crime are brought to justice.
To express your solidarity with the families of Ismael and Manuela send this letter or your own via e-mail to the Canadian embassy
[email protected].cacopying theInvestor Relations Manager at Mag Silver - Mr. Drew Martel [email protected] and the TSX’s Investor Relations Paul Malcolmson and Shane Quinn [email protected] and their Media Relations contact [email protected].
Please also Cc: Ismael and Manuela’s allies in Mexico at [email protected], [email protected]
For more information contact Raul Burbano Common Frontiers at [email protected]
Signed by:
Aboriginal Justice Team of Christian Peacemaker Teams – Toronto Canada
Alianza Internacional de habitantes - México
Alianza Social Continental - Colombia
Bolivarian Circle "Louis Riel” - Toronto Canada
Common Frontiers- Canada
El Barzón - Chihuahua, México
Casa Salvador Allende- Toronto, Canada
International Festival of Poetry and Resistance - Canada
La asamblea veracruzana de iniciativas y defensa ambiental- México
The Toronto Haiti Action Committee (THAC) - Toronto, Canada
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) –Canada
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network - Toronto, Canada
MiningWatch - Canada
Movimiento Mexicano de Afectados por las Presas y en Defensa de los
Rios (MAPDER)- México
Pobladores AC. -México
Red Colombiana de Acción Frente al Libre Comercio- Colombia
Red Mexicana de Afectados por la Minería(REMA) - México
Toronto Forum on Cuba - Toronto Canada
Justicia for migrant workers - Toronto Canada
en español
families of Ismael Solorio Urrutia and his wife Manuela Martha Solís Contreras of the community ejido Benito Juárez, in the municipality of Buenaventura, Chihuahua, Mexico who were gunned down on
Monday October 22, 2012 as they drove their pick-up truck along a main highway to a medical appointment. Both Ismael and Manuela were members of REMA-Barzón Nacional, the Mexican Network of
Mining-Affected Communities and anti-mining activists. According to a statement from the Commission for Solidarity and the Defence of Human Rights (COSYDDHAC), Ismael had been denouncing a smear campaign and threats to his life for weeks.
Just one week ago, El Barzon and other community groups submitted a complaint with the Secretary of Government (Mexican secretary of state) regarding these threats. The human rights group further reports that Ismael and his son were assaulted on October 13, 2012 by a group of employees paid by the El Cascabel mining company. In addition to being key activists opposed to the installation of a mine, they had also been denouncing the drilling of illegal wells in the
Carmen river basin.
El Cascabel is a closely related entity to Vancouver-based mining company MAG Silver and central player in the development of MAG Silver’s 100% owned Cinco de Mayo mine project. Many members of El Barzon and other movements in the municipality opposed the mine, given concerns about the heavy use of groundwater in this arid region.
In response to this tragedy various members of El Barzón have occupied the capital building, demanding Governor César Duarte
provide answers to what they are calling a “state crime." Legislators of the PRI in Chihuahua have been criticized in the press for having a cozy relationship with Canadian mining companies operating in the state and acting favorably toward their interests over those of affected communities.
We ask that the Canadian Embassy urge Mexican authorities and El Cascabel/MAG Silver in Chihuahua to respect the rights of the ejido Benito Juárez and the organization El Barzón and to ensure that community members can oppose the mine operations without fear of violence or stigmatization for defending land and water supplies. All levels of government should guarantee effective, democratic
channels to address the demands of local residents. We also call upon the Mexican judicial system to carry out a full and impartial investigation into the murder of Ismael Solorio Urrutia and his wife Manuela Martha Solís Contreras so as to ensure that the material and intellectual authors of this crime are brought to justice.
To express your solidarity with the families of Ismael and Manuela send this letter or your own via e-mail to the Canadian embassy
[email protected].cacopying theInvestor Relations Manager at Mag Silver - Mr. Drew Martel [email protected] and the TSX’s Investor Relations Paul Malcolmson and Shane Quinn [email protected] and their Media Relations contact [email protected].
Please also Cc: Ismael and Manuela’s allies in Mexico at [email protected], [email protected]
For more information contact Raul Burbano Common Frontiers at [email protected]
Signed by:
Aboriginal Justice Team of Christian Peacemaker Teams – Toronto Canada
Alianza Internacional de habitantes - México
Alianza Social Continental - Colombia
Bolivarian Circle "Louis Riel” - Toronto Canada
Common Frontiers- Canada
El Barzón - Chihuahua, México
Casa Salvador Allende- Toronto, Canada
International Festival of Poetry and Resistance - Canada
La asamblea veracruzana de iniciativas y defensa ambiental- México
The Toronto Haiti Action Committee (THAC) - Toronto, Canada
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) –Canada
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network - Toronto, Canada
MiningWatch - Canada
Movimiento Mexicano de Afectados por las Presas y en Defensa de los
Rios (MAPDER)- México
Pobladores AC. -México
Red Colombiana de Acción Frente al Libre Comercio- Colombia
Red Mexicana de Afectados por la Minería(REMA) - México
Toronto Forum on Cuba - Toronto Canada
Justicia for migrant workers - Toronto Canada
en español
mining_activists_opposed_to_canadian_el_cascabel_mine_final_espanol.pdf | |
File Size: | 198 kb |
File Type: |
SOLIDARIDAD CON EL PUEBLO DE TOTONICAPAN
(The english version follows immediately after the spanish version)
Los/Las abajo firmantes a la opinión pública de Guatemala e Internacional:
MANIFESTAMOS:
Ante esta situación,
SOLICITAMOS:
NO MAS VIOLENCIA Y REPRESION CONTRA EL PUEBLO GUATEMALTECO!!!
SI A LA VIDA, AL RESPETO DE LA CULTURA, AL TERRITORIO DE LOS PUEBLOS Y SUS RECURSOS NATURALES!!!
POR EL DERECHO A UNA VIDA EN PAZ, DIGNA Y FELIZ!!!
12 de Octubre del 2012
Association des Guatémaltèques du Québec
Association Paraguayenne de Québec
Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, WA branch
Barrio Nuevo, Toronto
Bernie Hammond, Director Centre for Social Concern, King’s University College -UWO
BC CASA/Cafe Justícia, British Columbia
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) (Sindicato más grande de Canadá 600,000 miembros)
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario Division
CHE-Project, Hamilton
Círculo de Análisis y Metodología Foro Nuestra América-Canadá
Confederación de Asociaciones Latinoamericanas de Quebec
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Australia, CFMEU WA branch.
Comunidad eclesial de base Martires de El Salvador, Montreal
Compañeros North-South, Hamilton
Consensus Cross-Cultural Communication and Multimedia, Ottawa
Fondation Mgr Oscar A Romero au Canada, Montreal
Grupo Folclórico "México Lindo", Ottawa
Grupo Solidario Ibiray-Toronto
Guatemalan Canadian Association –ASOGUATE-
Guatemala Community Network, Toronto
Guatemalan Solidarity Working Group – OPIRG- Hamilton
Kitchener-Waterloo Mayan Project
Latin American Festival Latino, Ottawa
Latin American Researchers of Ontario (Coordinating Collective 2012-2013)
Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition (LATUC) Ontario
Latin American & Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN)
Latino American Canadian Solidarity Association (LACASA) London
Marimba de Concierto Voces del Maíz, Toronto
Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Solidarity Network
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network
Movimiento Indígena Abya-Yala, Toronto
Réseau du Forum social de Québec Chaudière-Appalaches
Sid Ryan, Presidente de la Federación de Trabajadores de Ontario (Ontario Federation of Labour -OFL) representando un millón de trabajadores del sector público y privado de Canadá.
Salvadorian Canadian Association –ASALCA- Toronto
Societe culturelle Uashteu – Montreal
Solidarité Laurentides Amérique centrale (SLAM)
Toronto Haiti Action Committee
Tzijolaj, Ottawa
MANIFESTAMOS:
- Nuestra más profunda indignación por los últimos acontecimientos violentos contra el pueblo Maya K’iche’ en Totonicapán de parte de las fuerzas del Estado tanto policiales como militares.
- Que el día Jueves 4 de Octubre de 2012, pobladores de los 48 Cantones de Totonicapán, estructura ancestral de los pueblos indígenas, haciendo uso del derecho que la Constitución de Guatemala les otorga, realizaban una manifestación pacífica en el kilómetro 170 de la ruta Interamericana.
- Que esta protesta la realizaban los pobladores en rechazo a la Reforma Constitucional, la reforma a la carrera magisterial, al incremento al alto costo de la energía eléctrica que el gobierno del General Otto Pérez Molina trata de imponer a toda costa, y en apoyo a los líderes que atendían la reunión con el gobierno en la ciudad capital.
- Que esta protesta se daba en el marco del encuentro programado en la Casa Presidencial entre los líderes y lideresas de los 48 Cantones con el Presidente Otto Pérez Molina, quien no atendió la reunión y era representado por Miguel Angel Balcárcel asesor Presidencial.
- Que la respuesta del gobierno central fue la de reprimir esta muestra de descontento popular en la carretea Interamericana utilizando al ejército de Guatemala con el resultado de 8 personas asesinadas, más de 30 personas heridas de bala y otras más intoxicadas por gases lagrimógenos.
- Nuestra solidaridad con las familias de las víctimas de esta masacre, con el pueblo Maya K’iche’ y el pueblo de Guatemala ante este último acto violento que muestra una vez más el menosprecio y racismo institucionalizado hacia la población indígena.
Ante esta situación,
SOLICITAMOS:
- Al Ministerio Público (MP) de Guatemala una investigación exhaustiva de lo ocurrido para iniciar procesos penales a los autores materiales y mandos de Dirección de la Policía Nacional Civil y del Ejército de Guatemala por esta nueva violación de los Derechos Humanos del pueblo Guatemalteco.
- Al Congreso de la República la derogatoria del Decreto 40-2000 que faculta los patrullajes conjuntos entre policía y ejército, y que se retome el carácter de Ley que tienen los Acuerdos de Paz sobre todo el relacionado al Acuerdo de Fortalecimiento del Poder Civil y Función del Ejército en una Sociedad Democrática.
- Al gobierno de Guatemala la observancia e implementación de las leyes nacionales y convenios internacionales suscritos y ratificados por el Estado guatemalteco, y en este caso específico los acuerdos sobre el respeto a los Derechos Humanos y los Derecho de los Pueblos Indígenas a ser escuchados y respetadas sus formas de organización ancestral, Acuerdo 169 de la OIT.
- Al gobierno de Guatemala, autoridades políticas, legislativas, medios de comunicación corporativos y sector privado, el cese del racismo sistémico y la criminalización de la protesta social.
- Al gobierno de Guatemala, asumir su responsabilidad en este otro ataque contra la población y resarcir a las familias de las víctimas, y el cumplimiento de las tres demandas legítimas que motivaron la movilización el 4 de Octubre.
- A las Acreditaciones Diplomáticas en Guatemala y a los Gobiernos a nivel internacional a pronunciarse firmemente en contra de esta nueva ola represiva contra la población Maya K’iche’, el pueblo guatemalteco y sus organizaciones representativas.
- A las organizaciones Internacionales de Derechos Humanos, a las instituciones de verificación de los Derechos Humanos de la ONU, a la CICIG y a la OACNUDH su pronta y eficaz participación en el esclarecimiento de los hechos y su apoyo al Ministerio Público.
NO MAS VIOLENCIA Y REPRESION CONTRA EL PUEBLO GUATEMALTECO!!!
SI A LA VIDA, AL RESPETO DE LA CULTURA, AL TERRITORIO DE LOS PUEBLOS Y SUS RECURSOS NATURALES!!!
POR EL DERECHO A UNA VIDA EN PAZ, DIGNA Y FELIZ!!!
12 de Octubre del 2012
Association des Guatémaltèques du Québec
Association Paraguayenne de Québec
Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, WA branch
Barrio Nuevo, Toronto
Bernie Hammond, Director Centre for Social Concern, King’s University College -UWO
BC CASA/Cafe Justícia, British Columbia
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) (Sindicato más grande de Canadá 600,000 miembros)
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario Division
CHE-Project, Hamilton
Círculo de Análisis y Metodología Foro Nuestra América-Canadá
Confederación de Asociaciones Latinoamericanas de Quebec
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Australia, CFMEU WA branch.
Comunidad eclesial de base Martires de El Salvador, Montreal
Compañeros North-South, Hamilton
Consensus Cross-Cultural Communication and Multimedia, Ottawa
Fondation Mgr Oscar A Romero au Canada, Montreal
Grupo Folclórico "México Lindo", Ottawa
Grupo Solidario Ibiray-Toronto
Guatemalan Canadian Association –ASOGUATE-
Guatemala Community Network, Toronto
Guatemalan Solidarity Working Group – OPIRG- Hamilton
Kitchener-Waterloo Mayan Project
Latin American Festival Latino, Ottawa
Latin American Researchers of Ontario (Coordinating Collective 2012-2013)
Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition (LATUC) Ontario
Latin American & Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN)
Latino American Canadian Solidarity Association (LACASA) London
Marimba de Concierto Voces del Maíz, Toronto
Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Solidarity Network
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network
Movimiento Indígena Abya-Yala, Toronto
Réseau du Forum social de Québec Chaudière-Appalaches
Sid Ryan, Presidente de la Federación de Trabajadores de Ontario (Ontario Federation of Labour -OFL) representando un millón de trabajadores del sector público y privado de Canadá.
Salvadorian Canadian Association –ASALCA- Toronto
Societe culturelle Uashteu – Montreal
Solidarité Laurentides Amérique centrale (SLAM)
Toronto Haiti Action Committee
Tzijolaj, Ottawa
SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF TOTONICAPAN
We, the undersigned, publicly declare to the people of Guatemala and the international community:
In view of this situation,
WE REQUEST:
NO MORE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE GUATEMALAN PEOPLE!!!
YES TO LIFE, TO THE RESPECT OF THE CULTURE, THE PEOPLE’S TERRITORY AND NATURAL RESOURCES!!!
FOR THE RIGHT TO A PEACEFUL, DIGNIFIED AND HAPPY LIFE!!!
October 12, 2012
Association des Guatémaltèques du Québec
Association Paraguayenne de Québec
Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, WA branch
Barrio Nuevo, Toronto
Bernie Hammond, Director Centre for Social Concern, King’s University College -UWO
BC CASA/Cafe Justícia, British Columbia
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) (Canada’s largest Union (600,000 members)
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario Division
CHE-Project, Hamilton
Círculo de Análisis y Metodología Foro Nuestra América-Canadá
Confederación de Asociaciones Latinoamericanas de Quebec
Comunidad eclesial de base Martires de El Salvador, Montreal
Compañeros North-South, Hamilton
Consensus Cross-Cultural Communication and Multimedia, Ottawa
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Australia, CFMEU WA branch.
Fondation Mgr Oscar A Romero au Canada, Montreal
Grupo Folclórico "México Lindo", Ottawa
Grupo Solidario Ibiray-Toronto
Guatemalan Canadian Association – ASOGUATE-
Guatemala Community Network, Toronto
Guatemalan Solidarity Working Group – OPIRG- Hamilton
Kitchener-Waterloo Mayan Project
Latin American Festival Latino, Ottawa
Latin American Researchers of Ontario (Coordinating Collective 2012-2013)
Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition (LATUC) Ontario
Latin American & Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN)
Latino American Canadian Solidarity Association (LACASA) London
Marimba de Concierto Voces del Maíz, Toronto
Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Solidarity Network
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network
Movimiento Indígena Abya-Yala, Toronto
Réseau du Forum social de Québec Chaudière-Appalaches
Salvadorian Canadian Association –ASALCA- Toronto
Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) representing one million workers from the public and private sectors
Societe culturelle Uashteu – Montreal
Solidarité Laurentides Amérique centrale (SLAM)
Toronto Haiti Action Committee
Tzijolaj, Ottawa
- Our deepest outrage due to the latest acts of violence against the Maya K’iche’ people of Totonicapán, perpetrated by the Guatemalan State via its military and police forces.
- On Thursday October 4th, 2012, inhabitants of the 48 villages of Totonicapán, (48 Cantones de Totonicapán), an ancestral indigenous people’s organization, making use of their constitutional right to demonstrate, were peacefully protesting at Km. 170 on the Inter-American highway.
- The villagers were protesting against Constitutional reforms, reforms to the education system (teaching degree), and the high increase in the already costly electricity service that the government led by General Otto Pérez Molina is trying to impose by any means possible; and in support of their community leaders that were meeting the government in the capital.
- This protest was being held simultaneously as the meeting planned in the Presidential Palace between the leaders of the 48 villages and President Otto Pérez Molina, who did not attend but was represented by a presidential adviser, Miguel Ángel Balcarcel.
- The central government’s response was to repress this act of popular discontent on the Inter-American highway using the Guatemalan army, thus resulting in eight (8) people assassinated, more then thirty (30) with bullet wounds and others intoxicated by tear-gas.
- Our solidarity with the families of the victims of this massacre, with the Mayan K’iche’ people and the people of Guatemala in view of this latest act of violence that demonstrates once more scorn, indifference and institutionalized racism towards the indigenous population.
In view of this situation,
WE REQUEST:
- The Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office thoroughly investigate these events and undertake criminal proceedings against the material authors and the high command of the National Civilian Police and the Guatemalan Army for these Human Rights’ violations against the Guatemalan people.
- The Guatemalan Congress abolish Bill 40-2000 which authorizes joint patrols between the police and the army, and to reinforce the legal character of the Peace Accords especially in relation with the Accord on Strengthening Civilian Power and the Role of the Army in a Democratic Society.
- The government of Guatemala respect and implement national laws and international treaties, signed and ratified by the Guatemalan State, specifically agreements to respect Human Rights, as well as the Rights of Indigenous’ Peoples to be heard and their ancestral organizational ways be respected (ILO’s Convention 169).
- That the government of Guatemala, political and legislative authorities, corporate media and the private sector, stop systemic racism and the criminalization of social protest.
- The government of Guatemala, assume its responsibility in this latest attack against the population and compensate the victims’ families, and comply to the three legitimate demands that motivated the October 4th demonstration.
- The diplomatic bodies in Guatemala and governments at the international level, speak out against this new wave of repression against the Maya K’iche’ population, the Guatemalan people and their organizations.
- To international Human Rights organizations, the UN’s organizations, the CICIG (International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala) and UNHCHR, their timely involvement to shed light on what happened and their support of the Attorney General’s office.
NO MORE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE GUATEMALAN PEOPLE!!!
YES TO LIFE, TO THE RESPECT OF THE CULTURE, THE PEOPLE’S TERRITORY AND NATURAL RESOURCES!!!
FOR THE RIGHT TO A PEACEFUL, DIGNIFIED AND HAPPY LIFE!!!
October 12, 2012
Association des Guatémaltèques du Québec
Association Paraguayenne de Québec
Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, WA branch
Barrio Nuevo, Toronto
Bernie Hammond, Director Centre for Social Concern, King’s University College -UWO
BC CASA/Cafe Justícia, British Columbia
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) (Canada’s largest Union (600,000 members)
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario Division
CHE-Project, Hamilton
Círculo de Análisis y Metodología Foro Nuestra América-Canadá
Confederación de Asociaciones Latinoamericanas de Quebec
Comunidad eclesial de base Martires de El Salvador, Montreal
Compañeros North-South, Hamilton
Consensus Cross-Cultural Communication and Multimedia, Ottawa
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Australia, CFMEU WA branch.
Fondation Mgr Oscar A Romero au Canada, Montreal
Grupo Folclórico "México Lindo", Ottawa
Grupo Solidario Ibiray-Toronto
Guatemalan Canadian Association – ASOGUATE-
Guatemala Community Network, Toronto
Guatemalan Solidarity Working Group – OPIRG- Hamilton
Kitchener-Waterloo Mayan Project
Latin American Festival Latino, Ottawa
Latin American Researchers of Ontario (Coordinating Collective 2012-2013)
Latin American Trade Unionists Coalition (LATUC) Ontario
Latin American & Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN)
Latino American Canadian Solidarity Association (LACASA) London
Marimba de Concierto Voces del Maíz, Toronto
Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Solidarity Network
Mining Injustice Solidarity Network
Movimiento Indígena Abya-Yala, Toronto
Réseau du Forum social de Québec Chaudière-Appalaches
Salvadorian Canadian Association –ASALCA- Toronto
Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) representing one million workers from the public and private sectors
Societe culturelle Uashteu – Montreal
Solidarité Laurentides Amérique centrale (SLAM)
Toronto Haiti Action Committee
Tzijolaj, Ottawa
Charles Roach Presente!
On October 2, 2012 Charles Roach, a leader in the fight against discrimination and racism, for social justice and equality passed away.
For decades Charles Roach led rallies and picket lines to defend the downtrodden. Of course we remember his fight to become a Canadian Citizen without swearing the oath to the Queen, which was cut short by his untimely death.
We, in the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network, will always remember Charles Roach as a defender of the Bolivarian Revolution and the ALBA process. While we take strength from the example of Charles Roach in our quest for social justice in our communities and against the imperialist order, we feel that in every one of our activities to that end, Charles Roach is Presente!
For decades Charles Roach led rallies and picket lines to defend the downtrodden. Of course we remember his fight to become a Canadian Citizen without swearing the oath to the Queen, which was cut short by his untimely death.
We, in the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network, will always remember Charles Roach as a defender of the Bolivarian Revolution and the ALBA process. While we take strength from the example of Charles Roach in our quest for social justice in our communities and against the imperialist order, we feel that in every one of our activities to that end, Charles Roach is Presente!
Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en
Honduras -COFADEH
PRESS RELEASE - Statement on Death Threats to Rafael Alegría
The Committee of Families of the Detained and Disappeared of
Honduras (COFADEH), the Union of Beverage and Related Industry Workers (STIBYS), the National Federation of Rural Workers (CNTC), the United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH), the National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH), the National Front of Campesino, Indigenous, and Afro-descendent Youth of Honduras (FRENAJUC), and Vía Campesina express the following to national public opinion and the international community:
The Coordinator of Vía Campesina International, campesino leader, and member of Via Campesina’s World Coordination, Pedro Rafael Alegría Moncada was officially informed by Minister of Security Pompeyo Bonilla of the existence of a plot to kill him. Once notified, we requested an urgent meeting with the Commission on Police Reform, presided over by Victor Meza, to inform them of these facts and similarly with President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, who confirmed to us that he possesses similar information and added that threat also
includes two of his ministers.
We are concerned about this information from the government
about threats to human life and liberty, especially that of Rafael Alegría, defender of campesino rights, principally the right to land. For this reason we are filing a formal complaint with the institutions in charge of the investigation and with international authorities.
There have been a series of prior events that strengthen the thesis that there is a plot to kill Rafael Alegria. On July 25, 2009, he was
detained in the municipality of Danlí, El Paraíso along with 45 others during a peaceful blockade in the community of Alauca on the highway to the border town of Las Manos. On this occasion, he was illegally detained for 6 hours. Inspector Molina, Chief of Police in the municipality of Danlí, affirmed that they detained him for violating the curfew.
On July 2, 2009, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) decided to amplify Precautionary Measure PM 196-09 in order to protect the lives and safety of several people in Honduras, including Rafael Alegría. The IACHR asked the state of Honduras to adopt the measures necessary to ensure the life and safety of those included in this precautionary measure. To date, the government has not adopted specific measures to safeguard the rights of the coordinator of Vía
Campesina, Rafael Alegría, who finds himself completely unprotected and thus forced to change his way of life. In the 21st century, to have to go into hiding after living a public life, is torture.
At midnight on August 11, 2009, the Honduran offices of Via Campesina, located between Third and Fourth Avenues in Colonia Alameda, Tegucigalpa, were the subject of a criminal attack when two individuals in a grey private vehicle with a double cab, with license plate PCA 1981, shot at the facility three times with high-caliber weapons. Several people who were temporarily staying in the office were inside at the time. This occurred during the de facto government declared curfew, which was in effect from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. In the days following, an unknown person carrying a firearm tried to enter the office during a meeting of the campesino leadership.
On February 8, 2011, Rafael Alegría was confidentially informed
that plans were being made in Miami for his kidnapping and torture. These plans were said to also include Juan Barahona, the Deputy Coordinator of the National Front of Popular Resistance (FNRP), and were supposedly motivated by Rafael and Juan’s participation in the forth ballot box, the term used to describe the popular consultation that President Zelaya promoted during the first semester of
2009 prior to the coup d’etat.
The September 24, 2012 murder of human rights prosecutor Manuel
Eduardo Díaz Mazariegos in Choluteca and the September 22, 2012 murder of Antonio Trejo, the lawyer for several campesino communities of the Authentic Claimant Campesino Movement of Aguan (MARCA), reflect the vulnerable situation in which human rights defenders operate in Honduras.
Given the history related to Rafael Alegría’s work combined with
the recent violent deaths of human rights defenders that were carried out with complete impunity in September, there is no doubt that we are dealing with armed groups that operate outside the law. The organizations listed on this press release urge the current regime to conduct in depth investigations in order to neutralize any plan that seeks to end the life of social movement leader Rafael Alegría.
The aforementioned organizations request the acceleration of
protection mechanisms for human rights defenders, the investigation of reports by victims of persecution and threats, and the identification and trial of the intellectual and material authors of these acts.
We emphasize that COFADEH has made the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and other international organizations aware of the current situation faced by Rafael Alegria, the Coordinator of Via Campesina, and urgently calls on the international community to urge the Porfirio Lobo Sosa
regime to put an end to the anxiety, intimidation, and threats against human rights defenders in Honduras.
We exhort the Honduran people to stand in full solidarity with
all fellow Hondurans who are currently living in a climate that is hostile to security and liberty, and to not give in to intimidation, as we have
demonstrated throughout this process of social resistance.
Tegucigalpa M.D.C., Monday, October 8, 2012
The Committee of Families of the Detained and Disappeared of
Honduras (COFADEH), the Union of Beverage and Related Industry Workers (STIBYS), the National Federation of Rural Workers (CNTC), the United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH), the National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH), the National Front of Campesino, Indigenous, and Afro-descendent Youth of Honduras (FRENAJUC), and Vía Campesina express the following to national public opinion and the international community:
The Coordinator of Vía Campesina International, campesino leader, and member of Via Campesina’s World Coordination, Pedro Rafael Alegría Moncada was officially informed by Minister of Security Pompeyo Bonilla of the existence of a plot to kill him. Once notified, we requested an urgent meeting with the Commission on Police Reform, presided over by Victor Meza, to inform them of these facts and similarly with President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, who confirmed to us that he possesses similar information and added that threat also
includes two of his ministers.
We are concerned about this information from the government
about threats to human life and liberty, especially that of Rafael Alegría, defender of campesino rights, principally the right to land. For this reason we are filing a formal complaint with the institutions in charge of the investigation and with international authorities.
There have been a series of prior events that strengthen the thesis that there is a plot to kill Rafael Alegria. On July 25, 2009, he was
detained in the municipality of Danlí, El Paraíso along with 45 others during a peaceful blockade in the community of Alauca on the highway to the border town of Las Manos. On this occasion, he was illegally detained for 6 hours. Inspector Molina, Chief of Police in the municipality of Danlí, affirmed that they detained him for violating the curfew.
On July 2, 2009, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) decided to amplify Precautionary Measure PM 196-09 in order to protect the lives and safety of several people in Honduras, including Rafael Alegría. The IACHR asked the state of Honduras to adopt the measures necessary to ensure the life and safety of those included in this precautionary measure. To date, the government has not adopted specific measures to safeguard the rights of the coordinator of Vía
Campesina, Rafael Alegría, who finds himself completely unprotected and thus forced to change his way of life. In the 21st century, to have to go into hiding after living a public life, is torture.
At midnight on August 11, 2009, the Honduran offices of Via Campesina, located between Third and Fourth Avenues in Colonia Alameda, Tegucigalpa, were the subject of a criminal attack when two individuals in a grey private vehicle with a double cab, with license plate PCA 1981, shot at the facility three times with high-caliber weapons. Several people who were temporarily staying in the office were inside at the time. This occurred during the de facto government declared curfew, which was in effect from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. In the days following, an unknown person carrying a firearm tried to enter the office during a meeting of the campesino leadership.
On February 8, 2011, Rafael Alegría was confidentially informed
that plans were being made in Miami for his kidnapping and torture. These plans were said to also include Juan Barahona, the Deputy Coordinator of the National Front of Popular Resistance (FNRP), and were supposedly motivated by Rafael and Juan’s participation in the forth ballot box, the term used to describe the popular consultation that President Zelaya promoted during the first semester of
2009 prior to the coup d’etat.
The September 24, 2012 murder of human rights prosecutor Manuel
Eduardo Díaz Mazariegos in Choluteca and the September 22, 2012 murder of Antonio Trejo, the lawyer for several campesino communities of the Authentic Claimant Campesino Movement of Aguan (MARCA), reflect the vulnerable situation in which human rights defenders operate in Honduras.
Given the history related to Rafael Alegría’s work combined with
the recent violent deaths of human rights defenders that were carried out with complete impunity in September, there is no doubt that we are dealing with armed groups that operate outside the law. The organizations listed on this press release urge the current regime to conduct in depth investigations in order to neutralize any plan that seeks to end the life of social movement leader Rafael Alegría.
The aforementioned organizations request the acceleration of
protection mechanisms for human rights defenders, the investigation of reports by victims of persecution and threats, and the identification and trial of the intellectual and material authors of these acts.
We emphasize that COFADEH has made the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and other international organizations aware of the current situation faced by Rafael Alegria, the Coordinator of Via Campesina, and urgently calls on the international community to urge the Porfirio Lobo Sosa
regime to put an end to the anxiety, intimidation, and threats against human rights defenders in Honduras.
We exhort the Honduran people to stand in full solidarity with
all fellow Hondurans who are currently living in a climate that is hostile to security and liberty, and to not give in to intimidation, as we have
demonstrated throughout this process of social resistance.
Tegucigalpa M.D.C., Monday, October 8, 2012
Press release July 31, 2012, Toronto Canada
Extractive Industry Tarnishes Canada's Reputation
On August 1st 2012, there will be a Continental Day of Action to highlight the exploitive practices of Canada’s extractive industry including oil, gas, mining of precious metals and energy resources. Close to 70 organizations representing impacted communities, labour, students, NGOs, solidarity groups, and environmental organizations in 35 cities across the Americas will conduct coordinated actions. The aim of this campaign is to raise public awareness about the negative impacts of Canada’s extractive industry on indigenous and farming communities both globally and here in Canada.
Canada is a global mining giant that leaves a massive ecological footprint on the earth’s surface. Sixty per cent of the world’s exploration and mining companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. These corporations account for over 3200 projects around the world.
“We are a mining union. We support responsible mining with well-paid jobs, good health and safety records, protection of the environment and respect for the communities, “says Ken Neumann, the United Steelworkers’
National Director for Canada. “But that is not how mining is been done in other parts of the world.”
Across Canada, on August 1st, there will be letter-writing campaigns to public forums, street protests and theatre.
This unprecedented action demonstrates the broad and collective opposition to Harpers corporate driven polices and points to a
growing and diverse coordinated hemispheric movement to hold the extractive industry accountable for systematic abuses. Increasingly, this industry, which lacks binding legislative regulation and operates under a self-regulated banner of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is contributing to human rights violations, environmental degradation and the tarnishing of Canada's global reputation.
As Harper said at the recent summit of the Americans in Cartagena, Colombia, “Looking to the future, we see increased Canadian mining investment throughout the Americas - something that will be good for our mutual prosperity and is therefore a priority of our government.”
Not everyone agrees with Harpers vision of prosperity.
According to Raul Burbano from Common Frontiers and one of the organizers of the Continental Day of Action, “It’s exactly these types of corporate-driven policies that we are confronting. Looking to the future, what many communities see is increased displacement, re-militarization, destruction of community-based livelihoods, human rights violations, lack of community consultation, long -term health impacts and irreversible loss of biodiversity.’’
Events and actions are planned across eleven cities in Canada. In Toronto, a carnival-style solidarity event will be held at on the south side of Queens Park on August 1st from 12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. Organizers across Canada will educate people about the injustices of Canada’s extractive industry, the urgent need for legally-binding accountability, an end to abuses and the need to put people before profits.
Raul Burbano Common Frontiers Coordinator 416 522 8615
Caren Weisbart Maritimes-Guatemala Solidarity Network 647 466 6643
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Coup d'etat in Paraguay: Aspirations of real democracy once again crushed
June
25th, 2012
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network-LACSN would like express its deepest solidarity with the people of Paraguay and its deposed president Fernando Lugo.
With less than one year before democratic elections are celebrated in the country, the Senate of the country has voted to impeach its president alleging“poor performance in office.” This vote came after inadequate time was allowed to prepare a proper defense and merely two hours granted to the defense team to present its arguments in a public parliamentary hearing.
We believe that such process is illegitimate as it violates basic democratic rights and freedoms as they relate to due process afforded to any person accused of a crime. As such we consider the impeachment of President Fernando Lugo and the subsequent swearing in of Federico Franco an illegitimate act.
Once again the hope to establish true democratic institutions in Latin America has been violated by individuals behind corrupt power structures who utilize and manipulate public institutions
to pursue their selfish interest. This most recent violation of our nascent democratic process adds to the pattern of coup d’etat attempts in the region (including Haiti, Venezuela, Honduras and Ecuador) and constitutes a slap in the face against entire nations who have placed their trust in the development of democratic institutions.
We demand that Paraguayan authorities guarantee the rights and freedoms of those who publicly oppose and criticize the decision of the Paraguayan Senate.
We commend ALBA and UNASUR’s continued support for the recently impeached President of Paraguay and call on their governments to take appropriate measures to find a negotiated solution to
restore the legitimate, democratically elected president of the
country.
We reject the Canadian government's expressed support for the illegitimate impeachment of President Fernando Lugo and the coup d'etat in Paraguay. We urge Canada, instead, to work with its southern partners to find a peaceful solution that upholds democratic
rule in Paraguay.
25th, 2012
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network-LACSN would like express its deepest solidarity with the people of Paraguay and its deposed president Fernando Lugo.
With less than one year before democratic elections are celebrated in the country, the Senate of the country has voted to impeach its president alleging“poor performance in office.” This vote came after inadequate time was allowed to prepare a proper defense and merely two hours granted to the defense team to present its arguments in a public parliamentary hearing.
We believe that such process is illegitimate as it violates basic democratic rights and freedoms as they relate to due process afforded to any person accused of a crime. As such we consider the impeachment of President Fernando Lugo and the subsequent swearing in of Federico Franco an illegitimate act.
Once again the hope to establish true democratic institutions in Latin America has been violated by individuals behind corrupt power structures who utilize and manipulate public institutions
to pursue their selfish interest. This most recent violation of our nascent democratic process adds to the pattern of coup d’etat attempts in the region (including Haiti, Venezuela, Honduras and Ecuador) and constitutes a slap in the face against entire nations who have placed their trust in the development of democratic institutions.
We demand that Paraguayan authorities guarantee the rights and freedoms of those who publicly oppose and criticize the decision of the Paraguayan Senate.
We commend ALBA and UNASUR’s continued support for the recently impeached President of Paraguay and call on their governments to take appropriate measures to find a negotiated solution to
restore the legitimate, democratically elected president of the
country.
We reject the Canadian government's expressed support for the illegitimate impeachment of President Fernando Lugo and the coup d'etat in Paraguay. We urge Canada, instead, to work with its southern partners to find a peaceful solution that upholds democratic
rule in Paraguay.
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network condems Charest's Draconian Law - Bill 78
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity
Network expresses its solidarity with the Quebec Spring that has manifested itself via the Quebec student protestors
that have taken to the streets for close to five consecutive months now.
The breakdown came after Education Minister Line Beauchamp barred members of the Coalition de l’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (CLASSE) from participating in talks. Quebec students have taken to the streets in protest to Premier Jean Charest’s plan to increase tuition by 75% over the next five years.
Although the proposed tuition hike was the catalyst for the protest, student
demands go beyond tuition hikes to include broader societal concerns over
inequality, the environment and public services in Quebec. This has resonated
with many in the rest of Canada who feel the same way.
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network condemns the
draconian laws of bill 78 proposed by the provincial government of Premier Jean
Charest's and passed this past Friday by the Quebec National Assembly that
violate basic freedoms. The laws violate fundamental freedoms of the Canadian
Charter of Rights and freedoms, specifically freedom of peaceful assembly.
“This bill infringes many of the fundamental rights of our citizens. The basis of a
democracy is the rule of law. We must respect the law. We must also respect
fundamental freedoms, like the freedom to protest peacefully, the freedom of
speech and the freedom of association,” bar association president bâtonnier
Louis Masson.
Not only are these laws unjust and anti-democratic, their sole purpose is to stifle the wave of popular protest and democratic fervor that is the Quebec Spring. Like students from across Latin America from Chile to Colombia who are also rising up to challenge neo-liberalism and its polices of austerity that seek to privatize profits and
socialize debt. We salute the Quebec students for having the courage to
challenge the system and dream that another world is possible. We stand in
solidarity with the Quebec students and hope that others from across Canada will
do the same.
According to internet reports a march is being called for tomorrow in support of striking students in Quebec against Law 78 by Occupy Toronto and others who are answering the call from Quebec to bring the spirit of the student strike to Ontario. The march will coincide with a massive march in Quebec.
“Spread the Quebec Strike. Demand Free
Education”.
Tuesday May 22, 2012
2:00 pm
Hart House (U of T)
7 Hart House Circle
Network expresses its solidarity with the Quebec Spring that has manifested itself via the Quebec student protestors
that have taken to the streets for close to five consecutive months now.
The breakdown came after Education Minister Line Beauchamp barred members of the Coalition de l’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (CLASSE) from participating in talks. Quebec students have taken to the streets in protest to Premier Jean Charest’s plan to increase tuition by 75% over the next five years.
Although the proposed tuition hike was the catalyst for the protest, student
demands go beyond tuition hikes to include broader societal concerns over
inequality, the environment and public services in Quebec. This has resonated
with many in the rest of Canada who feel the same way.
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network condemns the
draconian laws of bill 78 proposed by the provincial government of Premier Jean
Charest's and passed this past Friday by the Quebec National Assembly that
violate basic freedoms. The laws violate fundamental freedoms of the Canadian
Charter of Rights and freedoms, specifically freedom of peaceful assembly.
“This bill infringes many of the fundamental rights of our citizens. The basis of a
democracy is the rule of law. We must respect the law. We must also respect
fundamental freedoms, like the freedom to protest peacefully, the freedom of
speech and the freedom of association,” bar association president bâtonnier
Louis Masson.
Not only are these laws unjust and anti-democratic, their sole purpose is to stifle the wave of popular protest and democratic fervor that is the Quebec Spring. Like students from across Latin America from Chile to Colombia who are also rising up to challenge neo-liberalism and its polices of austerity that seek to privatize profits and
socialize debt. We salute the Quebec students for having the courage to
challenge the system and dream that another world is possible. We stand in
solidarity with the Quebec students and hope that others from across Canada will
do the same.
According to internet reports a march is being called for tomorrow in support of striking students in Quebec against Law 78 by Occupy Toronto and others who are answering the call from Quebec to bring the spirit of the student strike to Ontario. The march will coincide with a massive march in Quebec.
“Spread the Quebec Strike. Demand Free
Education”.
Tuesday May 22, 2012
2:00 pm
Hart House (U of T)
7 Hart House Circle
Mexican Government fails to protect its
Citizens
protest against violence in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Demonstrators wore skull masks or painted their faces as skulls to symbolize the victims of violence in Mexico. Over 50,000 people have died since Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched his offensive against organized crime in 2006. (Marco Ugarte)
For the past two decades Mexico has experienced devastating social, economic, and political impacts as a result of policy choices made by
its government.
Changes made to land tenure systems, agricultural support and privatization in the years leading to the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), as well as the impacts of the trade deal itself, had harsh consequences for Mexicans. These changes led to massive migration North and to Mexican cities, the growth of Narco-criminal gangs, the repression of social movements (like the Zapatistas in Chiapas, the teachers and trade unions in Oaxaca and the Mexican Electrical Workers (SME) in Mexico City), an alarming rate of murders of women (Femicides) along the US border and in the State of Mexico where PRI Presidential Candidate Enrique Peña Nieto was the Governor until recently.
Privatization has dismantled the ocial fabric and communal-land holdings of communities via the privatization of public programs and institutions while Mexico’s NAFTA partners turn a blind eye to the dismantling of the independent labour movement, systematic repression of human rights defenders, journalists, and activists struggling for justice, and family members who seek justice for victims of the violence.
With the killing of more than 60,000 civilians including migrants since 2006, along the deployment of police and soldiers across the country, the violence in Mexico has spiraled out of control. Activists recently killed or disappeared include: Nepomuceno Moreno Núñez, José Trinidad de la
Cruz Crisóstomo, Pedro Leyva Domínguez,Eva Alarcón and Marcial Bautista.
Mexican police and army forces have shown themselves to be rife with
corruption, leading some to call Mexico a “narco-government” instead of the “democracy in transition” that Mexico is called in Canadian and other media. Under the veil of the drug war declared by President Felipe Calderón, Mexican government forces have continued their repression of the population and not taken steps to improve the situation for Mexicans.
We stand in solidarity and support of movements, organizations and communities in Mexico that have organized for a more dignified and just life, but also against the escalating violence. The current Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity builds on the mobilizations organized by other such social movements. Models of indigenous communities that exercise autonomy and self-determination serve as alternatives
to the current violence.
TAKE ACTION
Support Amnesty International urgent action requests seeking justice for those that have been murdered or disappeared by sending a letter to Mexico’s Minister of the Interior, with a copy to Canada's Secretary of State for Latin America.
For Journalists: http://www.amnesty.ca/media2010.php?DocID=1079
For Violence against women: http://www.amnesty.ca/writeathon/?page_id=3485
For Human rights defenders: http://www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/take_action.php?actionid=322
For Migrants: http://www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/take_action.php?actionid=427&
Signatories
Common Frontiers - Canada http://www.commonfrontiers.ca/
International Council of Latin American and Caribbean Women of Canada http://www.latinascanada.org/index.html
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network - Toronto http://lacsn.weebly.com/
Mexican Action Network on Free Trade (RMALC)- Mexico
http://www.rmalc.org.mx/index.shtml
Maquila Solidarity Network – Canada http://en.maquilasolidarity.org/
The Council of Canadians – Canada http://www.canadians.org/
Support Statement for KI Water Declaration and Consultation Protocols
We, the undersigned, recognize and respect the Kitchenuhmay koosibInninuwug (KI) Water Declaration and Consultation Protocols
which were passed by a community referendum on July 5, 2011 with the support of 96% of ballots cast, and brought into force as Indigenous Law by KI Chief and Council through a Band Council Resolution along with a spiritual ceremony and blessings of the results.
The KI Watershed Declaration applies to a vast 13,025 square kilometer area of boreal lakes, rivers, forest, and wetlands in KI Homeland that is over 20 times the size of the City of Toronto, including 661 square kilometer Big Trout Lake.
It states that:
“We declare all waters that flow into and out of Big Trout Lake and all lands whose waters flow into those lakes, rivers, and wetlands, to be completely protected through our continued care under KI’s authority, laws and protocols… No industrial uses, or other uses which disrupt, poison, or otherwise harm our relationship to these lands and waters will be permitted. ”
Activities affecting KI’s lands and resources must only proceed with KI’s free, prior and informed consent. The Consultation Protocol sets out how KI consent will be given freely, where KI people are fully informed of the consequences prior to any decisions being made, and according to KI’s own laws and decision-making processes.
The KI Water Declaration states that:
“We call on our supporters to recognize and respect this declaration. We call on you to fulfill your duty as treaty people to take action, under our direction, to hold your governments accountable to respecting this declaration. Please stand with us as we assert and implement our Indigenous Laws and responsibilities. Together we can protect this sacred water for all people,
all animals, all plants and all life.
”We commit to supporting KI in implementing and enforcing these Indigenous Laws, and we accept our joint responsibility to protect water as the sacred source of life. We call on the governments of Ontario and Canada to recognize and
respectKI’s Water Declaration and Consultation Protocol.
KI has governed the watersheds that are at the core of KI culture since timeout of memory. We call on Ontario to begin respecting KI's Water Declaration by immediately giving the watersheds interim protection and commencing negotiations with KI on the recognition of KI's governance of the watersheds. We also call on Ontario to respect KI’s moratorium on all logging, mining exploration and development activity (including airborne exploration, claim staking and early exploration), energy developments, research projects and any other activities that would impact KI lands and resources unless and until they have been agreed to through KI’s Consultation Protocol. We will help ensure that KI’s
Declaration and Protocol is recognized and respected by all governments and corporations
Boreal Forest Network
Council of Canadians
Earthroots
Greenpeace
Latin American and Caribbean solidarity Network
Mining Watch Canada
Rainforest Action Network
Background
In 2008, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Nation in northwestern Ontario celebrated a precedent-setting victory against Platinex mining company. Supported by Indigenous nations and allies across the country, KI community members used everything from blockades to letter writing, demonstrations to sleep-ins on the lawn of Provincial Parliament, to stop Platinex from exploring its platinum prospects in the territory.
KI is a small fly-in Oji-Cree community. At the heart of the community is Big Trout Lake, a rich body of water long eyed by corporations with intentions to “develop” the territory. Like many other Indigenous communities across Turtle Island exercising their sovereignty, KI was told by the provincial government they would be forced to “negotiate”with Platinex, in direct violation of treaties signed and their inherent right to refuse extractive industries on their traditional lands. In the face of mounting opposition, the McGuinty government paid Platinex $5 million plus court fees to reluctantly leave the territory.
This victory was not easily earned. Chief Donny Morris and five other brave community members were jailed for defending traditional lands. Had it been successful, Platinex would have done what mining companies are doing elsewhere across traditional territories globally: invading Indigenous lands for mining while contaminating water supplies and fisheries, dumping cancerous chemicals, clear-cutting forests, and displacing the rightful custodians of the land.
Today, KI again faces an attack on their territories. The gold mining corporation God’s Lake Resources has staked claims over sacred KI burial grounds and is threatening to invade within weeks. A joint panel between KI and the Ontario government has collapsed, bringing the KI community back to where it was at the beginning of the Platinex dispute. The focus of their exploration site is the rich watersheds around Big Trout Lake.
KI and its supporters are now forced to mobilize in a renewed struggle against the colonial Canadian government and laws and
its corporate allies. KI First Nation has governed and cared for the
Homeland, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki, that is at the core of their culture since time before memory. This vast area of boreal lakes, rivers, forests, and wetlands provides KI's pristine water supply, the lake trout the community rely upon, and their sacred landscape. KI has a vision for the future of their lands and environment that benefits both KI and all life.
Ontario must respect KI's rights by:
1. Respecting KI's Right to Say No;
2. Recognizing and respecting KI's Water Declaration which
excludes all industry from the Big Trout Lake and Fawn River watersheds;
3. Respecting KI's Indigenous laws. Kanaawayandan d'aaki!
With the Ontario government refusing to act, the KI Nation has called for allies in Toronto to urgently support their political campaign to defend their lands and sovereignty.
Support KI against corporate takeover.
Take Action now!
http://kilands.org/tell-mcguinty-to-respect-ki-sacred-landscape/
Honduras: Campaign Against Impunity - Open Letter
LACSN - In solidarity with the Occupy Toronto Movement
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) stands in solidarity with the Occupy Toronto movement and their right to camp in St James Park. The occupy movement is a legitimate and peaceful manifestation of public assembly and expression protected under section two of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Occupy movement, like other expressions of discontent is a legitimate and deep seated expression of rejection of the current political, economic and social system in Canada, and across the globe; a system that seeks to benefit the few at the expense of the majority.
LACSN sees today’s court ruling by Ontario Superior Court Justice David Brown as another form to sanction the systematic criminalization of protest that has taken place in Toronto since the G8/G20 crackdown. The courts along with the police seek to hide from public view a manifestation of discontent, anger and rejection by the 99% but in reality will only fan the embers of discontent. Although they may physically clear out protestors from St. James park and their supporters, they cannot evict the courage and resolve from those that currently inhabit the park. Ideas cannot be evicted from the hearts of women and men who seek a more equitable and just society.
Across the Americas, people have risen up and demanded that their voices be heard. On the streets of Bolivia and Honduras, in the rainforest of the Amazon, in the mountains of Chiapas, people are forming real participatory structures to address economic and environmental injustice. Occupy Toronto is part of a global movement in solidarity with these movements in Latin America and around the world, from Cochabamba to Tahir Square to Oakland to Port-au-Prince. The spirit of these movements will not be arrested.
LACSN stands in solidarity with Occupy Toronto and with movements for liberation and participation around the world. We call on our members and allies to not stand by and watch in silence as the police attempt to evict the Occupy Toronto Camp. Today they attempt to evict Occupy Toronto Camp, tomorrow they may attempt to evict us from our places of assembly
LACSN Coordinating Committee
LACSN sees today’s court ruling by Ontario Superior Court Justice David Brown as another form to sanction the systematic criminalization of protest that has taken place in Toronto since the G8/G20 crackdown. The courts along with the police seek to hide from public view a manifestation of discontent, anger and rejection by the 99% but in reality will only fan the embers of discontent. Although they may physically clear out protestors from St. James park and their supporters, they cannot evict the courage and resolve from those that currently inhabit the park. Ideas cannot be evicted from the hearts of women and men who seek a more equitable and just society.
Across the Americas, people have risen up and demanded that their voices be heard. On the streets of Bolivia and Honduras, in the rainforest of the Amazon, in the mountains of Chiapas, people are forming real participatory structures to address economic and environmental injustice. Occupy Toronto is part of a global movement in solidarity with these movements in Latin America and around the world, from Cochabamba to Tahir Square to Oakland to Port-au-Prince. The spirit of these movements will not be arrested.
LACSN stands in solidarity with Occupy Toronto and with movements for liberation and participation around the world. We call on our members and allies to not stand by and watch in silence as the police attempt to evict the Occupy Toronto Camp. Today they attempt to evict Occupy Toronto Camp, tomorrow they may attempt to evict us from our places of assembly
LACSN Coordinating Committee
OPEN LETTER
The bombs of democracy to liberate
the few and enslave the majority
The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) condemns UNSC resolution 1973 which has enabled operations to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. This military operation imposed a foreign military solution to the conflict within Libya; that far from protecting the civilian population creates the conditions for further intervention and looting of the nation’s Oil resources
We support and call for:
1.- End Canada's participation in the war against Libya
2.- Libya's unity and territorial integrity to be respected and reject any form of foreign military intervention
3.- Support the Libyan people’s inalienable right for self-determination
LACSN
http://tiny.cc/u1g1b
Justice for Juan Francisco Duran Ayala
The organizations below hereby express our dismay at the murder of another environmentalist, member of Environmental Committee of Cabañas, Juan Francisco Duran Ayala.
We are deeply concerned about this murder as it indicates a trend of organized persecution against environmental activists in El Salvador. For several years members of environmental organizations have publicly denounced harassment and threats against their lives. Unfortunately, the death of Juan Francisco Duran Ayala follows the death of other activists of the same organization: Dora Alicia Recinos, who was eight months pregnant before she was assassinated on December 26, 2009; Ramiro Rivera, who was murdered during a military style ambush on December 20th 2009 and Marcelo Rivera, who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in June 2009. None of these murders have been properly prosecuted.
There is evidence that the escalation of violent attacks against environmentalists is related to the presence of the foreign mining corporations in El Salvador. For years, these corporations have fostered a climate of conflict and social division in communities located in the department of Cabañas, and in the Salvadoran society in general, in order to obtain political and institutional support for their mineral exploitation projects.
Given the current atmosphere of gross violations of the rights to life, freedom of association and freedom of expression, we invoke the Salvadorean Environmental Law which establishes the “right to a clean environment and a healthy ecological equilibrium” and commits the government to “promote and defend this right in a systematic manner in order to ensure harmony between humans and nature”. In the spirit of the law we call:
1. On the President of the Republic of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes, the Attorney General, Romeo Barahona and the Minister of Public Security, Manuel Melgar, to ensure these crimes are investigated and that safety and peace return for all environmental activists who seek to protect the fragile ecology of the country.
2. On the Minister of Economy, Hector Dada Hirezi, and the Minister of the Environment, Herman Rosa Chavez, to declare an immediate cease of all metallic mining activity in El Salvador.
3. On the members of the Legislative Assembly to approve the mining legislation introduced by the National Roundtable Against Mining in El Salvador. This legislation prohibits metallic mining and regulates non-metallic mining exploitation.
4. On the mining companies to withdraw their operation from El Salvador. In particular we call upon Pacific Rim to cease its demand for compensation against the government of El Salvador under the CAFTA-DR arbitration rules.
5. On all international solidarity and Salvadorean Diaspora organizations to demand justice for environmental activists murdered in El Salvador.
Finally we would like to express our solidarity with the family of Juan Francisco Duran Ayala and all those who are under threat of death for defending the environment. We hope the rule of law will prevail and will ensure just prosecution and punishment for the intellectual and material authors of these crimes.
Atlantic Solidarity Network (Canadá)
Canadians Against Mining in El Salvador, CAMES
Canadian Labour Congress, CLC
Canadian Union of Public Employees, CUPE-Ontario
Center for Alternative Mining Development Policy(Wisconsin)
Comité pour les droits humains en Amérique latine, CDHAL(Montreal)
Committee for the Development of El Salvador, CODESES (Vancouver)
Educators for Peace and Justice, (Toronto)
Guatemala Solidarity Network, GCN (Canadá)
Jamie Muffet Media Design and Production (Philadelphia)
Justicia Minera (Ottawa)
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network, LACSN
Latin American Researchers of Ontario, LARO-Organizing Committee
Maryknoll Office for Global concerns (Washington)
Maryknoll Office for Global concerns (Washington)
Public Service Alliance of Canada, PSAC
Ontario Public Interest Research Group, OPIRG (Ottawa)
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF
Polaris Institute(Ottawa)
Salvadorean Canadian Association, ASALCA (Toronto)
Salvadorean Canadian Association of the Ottawa Region, ASCORCAN
Salvadoreans in the World, SEEM-Toronto
Student Christian Movement(Canada)
Radio Raíces Radicales(Toronto/México/El Salvador)
St. Mary's Kerrisdale Cristosal Base Community (Vancouver)
The Democracy Center (San Francisco)
US-El Salvador Sister Cities, Seattle WA
We are deeply concerned about this murder as it indicates a trend of organized persecution against environmental activists in El Salvador. For several years members of environmental organizations have publicly denounced harassment and threats against their lives. Unfortunately, the death of Juan Francisco Duran Ayala follows the death of other activists of the same organization: Dora Alicia Recinos, who was eight months pregnant before she was assassinated on December 26, 2009; Ramiro Rivera, who was murdered during a military style ambush on December 20th 2009 and Marcelo Rivera, who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in June 2009. None of these murders have been properly prosecuted.
There is evidence that the escalation of violent attacks against environmentalists is related to the presence of the foreign mining corporations in El Salvador. For years, these corporations have fostered a climate of conflict and social division in communities located in the department of Cabañas, and in the Salvadoran society in general, in order to obtain political and institutional support for their mineral exploitation projects.
Given the current atmosphere of gross violations of the rights to life, freedom of association and freedom of expression, we invoke the Salvadorean Environmental Law which establishes the “right to a clean environment and a healthy ecological equilibrium” and commits the government to “promote and defend this right in a systematic manner in order to ensure harmony between humans and nature”. In the spirit of the law we call:
1. On the President of the Republic of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes, the Attorney General, Romeo Barahona and the Minister of Public Security, Manuel Melgar, to ensure these crimes are investigated and that safety and peace return for all environmental activists who seek to protect the fragile ecology of the country.
2. On the Minister of Economy, Hector Dada Hirezi, and the Minister of the Environment, Herman Rosa Chavez, to declare an immediate cease of all metallic mining activity in El Salvador.
3. On the members of the Legislative Assembly to approve the mining legislation introduced by the National Roundtable Against Mining in El Salvador. This legislation prohibits metallic mining and regulates non-metallic mining exploitation.
4. On the mining companies to withdraw their operation from El Salvador. In particular we call upon Pacific Rim to cease its demand for compensation against the government of El Salvador under the CAFTA-DR arbitration rules.
5. On all international solidarity and Salvadorean Diaspora organizations to demand justice for environmental activists murdered in El Salvador.
Finally we would like to express our solidarity with the family of Juan Francisco Duran Ayala and all those who are under threat of death for defending the environment. We hope the rule of law will prevail and will ensure just prosecution and punishment for the intellectual and material authors of these crimes.
Atlantic Solidarity Network (Canadá)
Canadians Against Mining in El Salvador, CAMES
Canadian Labour Congress, CLC
Canadian Union of Public Employees, CUPE-Ontario
Center for Alternative Mining Development Policy(Wisconsin)
Comité pour les droits humains en Amérique latine, CDHAL(Montreal)
Committee for the Development of El Salvador, CODESES (Vancouver)
Educators for Peace and Justice, (Toronto)
Guatemala Solidarity Network, GCN (Canadá)
Jamie Muffet Media Design and Production (Philadelphia)
Justicia Minera (Ottawa)
Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network, LACSN
Latin American Researchers of Ontario, LARO-Organizing Committee
Maryknoll Office for Global concerns (Washington)
Maryknoll Office for Global concerns (Washington)
Public Service Alliance of Canada, PSAC
Ontario Public Interest Research Group, OPIRG (Ottawa)
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, OSSTF
Polaris Institute(Ottawa)
Salvadorean Canadian Association, ASALCA (Toronto)
Salvadorean Canadian Association of the Ottawa Region, ASCORCAN
Salvadoreans in the World, SEEM-Toronto
Student Christian Movement(Canada)
Radio Raíces Radicales(Toronto/México/El Salvador)
St. Mary's Kerrisdale Cristosal Base Community (Vancouver)
The Democracy Center (San Francisco)
US-El Salvador Sister Cities, Seattle WA
OPEN LETTER
Freedom of Shuar leaders is a triumph of
Indigenous and Popular organizations in Ecuador
We express our solidarity with the indigenous peoples of Ecuador, victims of systemic persecution by the Ecuadorian government as a result of their firm opposition to extractive mega-projects, principally mining. These projects have been shown to benefit only the transnational companies involved, not the local people.
We are shocked that a government who has self-identified as ‘left,’ whom states that defending the interests of the country and their citizens, and who works to develop a constitution that includes the The Wellbeing of the people and The Rights of the Natural Environment and who has ratified the International Labour Organization’s convention 169 Act in contradiction to these constitutional and international principles, illegally jailing three indigenous leaders, accusing them of TERRORISM and SABOTAGE, for opposing the entrance of mining operations into their territories.
We condemn the criminalization of protest and dissent, we welcome the mobilization and pressure from the indigenous movement and popular organizations that have successfully achieved the release of Pepe Acacho, Pedro Mashiant and Fidel Kaniras through a Habeas Corpus, demonstrating that lawsuits and detention were illegal and unconstitutional.
We consider it a triumph of the indigenous movement, workers and the Ecuadorian people who mobilized in the streets and demanded the release of indigenous leaders. Similarly we request the dismissal of lawsuits that the Ecuadorian government still carries on against close to 200 indigenous organizers active in defending their territory.
We support and will continue to work in solidarity with the National Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities in Ecuador (CONAIE, Spanish acronym), and Indigenous Federation and Shuar Centre of Morona Santiago (FICHS, Spanish acronym) against this new wave of aggression instigated by the Ecuadorian government. A government that more and more reveals their push to the right and a neoliberal agenda, at the expense of the interest of the Ecuadorian peoples.
We are calling out to the international community, human rights defenders, social movements and civil society in general to condemn the abuse of power against the indigenous peoples of Ecuador.
Toronto, February 9, 2011
MINING INJUSTICE SOLIDARITY NETWORK
http://www.solidarityresponse.net/
C O M U N I C A D O "GRINGO"
Green Go (home)
Green (color del uniforme de los soldados estadounidenses)
Green Go (home)
Green (color del uniforme de los soldados estadounidenses)
COMMUNITY OPEN LETTER DENOUNCING THE JEWISH DEFENSE LEAGUE’S RALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE ENGLISH DEFENSE LEAGUE
honduras_declaration_june_2010.pdf | |
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