Urgent Call for Action

It is with great shock and grief that we announce the kidnapping and disappearance of our dear friend Camay Pernia Domico, an indigenous Embria Katio leader from Tierralta, Columbia.

Kimy Pernia Domico is a highly respected leader of the Embera Katio indegenous nation in the Northern department of Cordoba, Colombia. Kimy had testified that a controversial dam in his region was flooding Embera homes, land and crops, as well as killing fish and thus the threatening the livelihood of his people.

Disturbingly, Kimy Pernia shared with the Parliamentary Committee the fact that paramilitary death squads had murdered foru Embera leaders who had protested this situation on beyhalf of the Embera communities.

"Let me be clear; saying these things to you today puts my life in danger. The [paramilitary] gunmen have set fire to our boats to prevent us from going to meetings. They have set up checkpoints on rivers and detained people. Anyone who dares to speak out about Urra is accused of being involved with the guerilla and with that pretext, they have declared both our communities and leaders to be a military target. you can understand that my people live in great fear both of imminent attack, as well as what the future holds for us without land or fish."

On Saturday June 2 at 6:20 p.m., Kimy was abducted from the headquarters of the Embrea Katio in Tierralta, Colombia by three armed men, who fled with Mr. Pernia Domico by motorcycle.

CALL TO ACTION!

Help us demonstrate our outrage about the "disappearance" of this peaceful and brave leader. Send your letters immediately!

1. Demand the safe return of Kimy Pernia Domico to his community

2. Demand an immediate stop to the harassment and violence thast has been directed against the Emera Katio people and their leaders.

3. Demand that the armed actors in Colombia's conflict respect the Embera territory and that they do not convert it into a war zone.

4. Demand that the government comply with the April 19th Accord, which promises to respect the human rights of Embera leaders and communities.

Send your letters to:

Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana Arango
Presidente de La Republica
Palacio de Narnio, Carrer 8 No. 7-26
Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: + 571 287 7939, + 571 284 2186 + 571 289 3377 or + 571 337 1351
[email protected]
[email protected]

Senor Vicepresidento Gustavo Bell Lumus
Cra. 8 # 7-26, Palacio de Narino
Sanda Fe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax + 571 337 1351

Copies to: Hon. John Manley
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Fax: (613) 996-3443
[email protected]

Organizacion Nacional Indigenia de Colombia ONIC
Apartado Aereo 32395
[email protected]

Cabildo Mayor Embera Katio CAMAEMKA
[email protected]

ICCHRLA
Fax: (416) 921-3843
[email protected]