Thank you for helping indigenous communities under threat in Colombia

I got this from Amnesty International:


5th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 
Thank you: your support is bringing attention to the threat facing communities in Colombia 

	Read messages from Colombia's Indigenous Peoples on our slideshow - Please share!

Dear human rights supporter,

Thank you so much again for signing our petition calling for vital protection for the rights and survival of threatened Indigenous peoples in Colombia. I wanted to acknowledge your help on this day, when we mark the 5th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Your voice, together with tens of thousands of others who have signed on to date, enables us to pull the veil of silence off this issue and make clear to our own government that Canadians expect action.

Canada’s free trade agreement with Colombia – and the special relationship it has created -- offers both an opportunity and an obligation for Canada to speak up - and take meaningful action for human rights. Amnesty International Canada is continuing to use every means at our disposal to bring attention to the crisis in Colombia.
This week, we have brought Colombian Indigenous leader Luis Evelis Andrade Casama to Canada! As Chief Counsellor of the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia, he has courageously led efforts to make visible the emergency situation facing more than a third of the 102 distinct Indigenous nations in his country which today face complete destruction. Tonight, Chief Andrade will be our special guest as we present a moving collection of photos at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa on the 5th anniversary of adoption by the UN of the landmark Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

These are the photos featured in our online slideshow - view here

Entitled “This is what we want to tell you: messages from Indigenous Peoples at risk of annihilation in Colombia”, the photo exhibit tells a story of pain, injustice and courage. The individuals depicted call out for our solidarity with a message that is impossible to ignore: “the survival of Indigenous Peoples with dignity in Colombia is in all of our hands.”

Chief Andrade will take this same message to meetings we have set up with government officials, opposition politicians, media and potential new allies with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations alike. We will be there too to share the concerns of our members and supporters, people like you who have signed our petitions. Together, we must press for solutions. Inaction is simply unacceptable.

Your support has been vitally important. If it's possible for you, please join us this week at exciting action events in a variety of locations across Canada, and invite your friends and family to join you or sign our petition. If you are not able to attend an event, please take 5 minutes to send a simple message to Canada's Foreign Minister calling for protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia (the address can be found below).

Thank you once again for showing you care. Together we are making change happen!

In solidarity,
Sincerely,



Alex Neve