Two Indigenous Leaders killed in Arauca
Written by Humanidad Vigente
(Translated by Emily Schmitz, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN’s Volunteer Editor)
Thursday August 19, 2010
Included among the victims encountered was the Saravena coordinator of Indigenous Affairs, who is part of the U’wa community and a member of the El Esperanza Sikuani Indigenous chapter.
The deaths occurred in Saravena and Tame in the department of Arauca.
Carmen Elisa Mora Uncacia, four months pregnant and an U’wa leader for 31 years, well-known for her work in the Saravena mayor’s office on indigenous issues, was assassinated this past Friday, August 13 in front of her husband and children. Unknown attackers entered her home located in the José Vicente ll Etapa neighborhood and shot her.
Another violent act against the indigenous community occurred on Saturday, August 14th, when the 34 year-old Sikuani indigenous leader Jaime Reyes Sampier, member of the Esperanza chapter, fleeing the violence that displaced him from La Siberiawas, was assassinated in Barcelona, municipality of Tame.
The Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights and the Association of the Indigenous Authorities of Arauca reported the two incidents as violations against indigenous rights and demanded the events be clearly explained to civil, military and judicial authorities and “to punish, with the entire weight of the law, those physically and intellectually responsible for the assassination of our indigenous brothers.”
Additionally, the statement issued by the Permanent Committee for the defense of human rights respectfully urges “authorities and the Araucana community to protect and respect our indigenous as part of the region’s heritage and of humanity.”
Latest update Monday, August 23 2010 at 20:42
This translation may be reprinted as long as the content remains unaltered, and the source, author, and translator are cited.
(Translated by Emily Schmitz, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN’s Volunteer Editor)
Thursday August 19, 2010
Included among the victims encountered was the Saravena coordinator of Indigenous Affairs, who is part of the U’wa community and a member of the El Esperanza Sikuani Indigenous chapter.
The deaths occurred in Saravena and Tame in the department of Arauca.
Carmen Elisa Mora Uncacia, four months pregnant and an U’wa leader for 31 years, well-known for her work in the Saravena mayor’s office on indigenous issues, was assassinated this past Friday, August 13 in front of her husband and children. Unknown attackers entered her home located in the José Vicente ll Etapa neighborhood and shot her.
Another violent act against the indigenous community occurred on Saturday, August 14th, when the 34 year-old Sikuani indigenous leader Jaime Reyes Sampier, member of the Esperanza chapter, fleeing the violence that displaced him from La Siberiawas, was assassinated in Barcelona, municipality of Tame.
The Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights and the Association of the Indigenous Authorities of Arauca reported the two incidents as violations against indigenous rights and demanded the events be clearly explained to civil, military and judicial authorities and “to punish, with the entire weight of the law, those physically and intellectually responsible for the assassination of our indigenous brothers.”
Additionally, the statement issued by the Permanent Committee for the defense of human rights respectfully urges “authorities and the Araucana community to protect and respect our indigenous as part of the region’s heritage and of humanity.”
Latest update Monday, August 23 2010 at 20:42
This translation may be reprinted as long as the content remains unaltered, and the source, author, and translator are cited.
posted by CSN at 2:34 PM
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