Posted by [EMAIL PROTECTED] : distributed via LISN Subject: Colombia: Company Floods Indigenous Lands Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 12:02:32 -0800 From: Amazon Alliance <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE ON THE AMERICAS November 28, 1999 COLOMBIA: COMPANY STARTS FLOODING INDIGENOUS LANDS On Nov. 18, the Urra S.A. company began filling its dam on the Sinu river in Colombian department of Cordoba, with authorization from the Environment Ministry. Indigenous leaders of the Embera Katio community of the Alto Sinu region charge that this action has been taken without consulting with the communities, without relocating local residents who will be flooded out of their homes, and without indigenous authorization for use of the territory. The filling of the dam will directly affect indigenous homes and crops and will flood various sacred sites, causing destruction of the social, economic and cultural life of the Doza, Beguido and Amborromia communities, home to 24 families. Indigenous leaders are asking supporters to send urgent messages to President Andres Pastrana Arango (by fax to +571-284-2186, 289-3377 or 286-7434 or by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]) and Environment Minister Juan Mayr Maldonado (fax +571-288-9788 or 288-9892 or by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]) demanding that the filling of the dam be called off pending true consultation with the communities. [Urgent Action from Embera Katio community 11/18/99] ****************************************************** Distribuido por: Distributed by: 'AMAZON ALLIANCE' FOR INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL PEOPLES OF THE AMAZON BASIN 1367 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036-1860 tel (202)785-3334 fax (202)785-3335 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.amazoncoalition.org Disclaimer: All copyrights belong to original publisher. The Amazon Alliance has not verified the accuracy of the forwarded message. Forwarding this message does not necessarily connote agreement with the positions stated there-in.
