Thursday, February 27, 2014

Two more Indigenous leaders killed, our friend Flaminio is at risk

TWO MORE INDIGENOUS LEADERS KILLED
Now Flaminio Onogama Gutiérrez' life is at risk





Dear Tracy,

Our friend Flaminio Onogama Gutiérrez is in danger.

Last month two armed gunman shot and killed two of his family members, while looking for him.

Flaminio is prominent Indigenous leader in Colombia, as a former leading member of the Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), where he was in charge of the organization’s human rights department.

Flaminio and the Indigenous community of La Esperanza (which means "Hope") have opposed the arrival of powerful coal, copper and gold mining interests in the area, as well as paramilitaries seeking to impose cultivation of illicit crops on Indigenous lands.
He is a dear friend to us here in Canada, where he came at the invitation of Amnesty International to speak to Canadian Members of Parliament and government officials about the threat of "extermination" facing Indigenous peoples in Colombia.

He's a friend to human rights.

Please don't let him come to harm. Sign our action now.

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Sincerely,
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Alex Neve
Secretary General,
Amnesty International Canada

P.S. More than one third of Indigenous peoples in Colombia are threatened with "extermination", according to the country's highest court, and face an "emergency as serious as it is invisible." This crisis is fueled by violent incursions into Indigenous territory, forced displacement and the imposition of megaprojects. Learn more about Amnesty's work to stop this injustice and please take action now to protect Flaminio from harm.

P.P.S. Last week, we were in intensive meetings with MPs, Senators and government officials in Ottawa who are now acutely aware of this crisis, as they must be in light of Canada's obligations to monitor human rights impacts under the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. We need the Canadian government to use its influence as an important commercial partner of Colombia to press for effective protection of Indigenous lives, lands and rights. Trade and investment must not trump human rights!  Please sign our petition to Minister John Baird.

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