AMERICA/COLOMBIA - The Colombian dioceses ask to defend the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific

Quibdó (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of the Pacific region of Colombia (Dioceses of Quibdó, Istmina-Tadó, Guapi, Tumaco, Buenaventura) and a group of NGOs submitted a request to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) so that adequate measures are taken to protect indigenous and Afro-American communities in this area of Colombia. The Bishop of the Diocese of Quibdó, His Exc. Mgr. Juan Carlos Barreto, speaking to the local press, acknowledged the good intentions of the State, but also stressed that there is very little progress regarding the protection of the rights of this population.
The note sent to Agenzia Fides reports the words of the Bishop: "One does not solve a problem that has been going on for decades with $ 400 million. In the past, development plans were launched that did not work, and the community was not consulted. A serious and verifiable process is needed".
The head of the Regional Coordination of the Colombian Pacific, Leyner Palacios, publicly said that this request was made for the difficult living conditions of the communities, which continue to be the target of violence by paramilitary groups, guerrillas, drug traffickers, and even government forces. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2014)