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News Archive - LATIN AMERICA
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Chile: Young Mapuche killed by police
January 2008
Matías Catrileo, a 22 year old Mapuche student of agriculture, died on January 3 as a consequence of shots fired by police which hit him in the back. This incidence is part of a trend of a disproportionate use of force against Mapuche social activists. In 2006 alone, 20 cases of mistreatment against Mapuche people and communities by state police forces were recorded. The trend continued throughout 2007.
 Read the Observatorio de Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas' press release (pdf)
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The Achuar people of Peru battles oil giant over pollution
March 2008
The Achuar people living in the Amazon rainforest of north-eastern Peru that filed a class action lawsuit against oil giant Occidental Petroleum in Los Angeles last year, are now awaiting a judge's decision on whether the case can proceed in the US or will be sent back to Peru, where it stands little chance of coming to court.
 Read the BBC article
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Statement on the situation in Bolivia
April 2008
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, today stated that he had completed the report on his visit to Bolivia in December of last year.
Read the statement
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Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples an historic opportunity to advance human rights
April 2008
The Organization of American States (OAS) is a vital regional agency committed to the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. The Inter-American human rights system has a strong tradition and record of progressive action in relation to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Indigenous peoples participating in this process call upon Canada and the United States to withdraw their reservations, to not block consensus, and adopt a constructive attitude to ensure the timely adoption of the draft American Declaration, that reflects in a true and effective manner our human rights.
Read the statement by Canada (14 April 2008) - (doc)
Read the public statement from Amnesty International Canada (14 April 2008) - (weblink)
Response of the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus of the Americas (15 April 2008) - (doc)
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Two IWGIA supported journalists kidnapped in Bolivia
April 2008
On Sunday 13 April, the Bolivian Vice-Ministry of Lands attempted to enter the Alto Parapetí area to undertake an inspection of large ranches that are allegedly holding indigenous Guaraní communities captive. The Vice-Minister was accompanied by, among many others, the cameraman Fernando Cola and journalist Tanimbu Estremadoiro who were making a documentary for IWGIA and the local NGO, CEJIS, on indigenous territorial demands in Bolivia. Both Fernando and Tanimbu were attacked.
Read more
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Colombia: Indigenous Women Brave War Zone to Express Solidarity
June 2008
A caravan of around 1,250 indigenous and afro-Colombian women and women's rights activists drove Saturday into an area of southwestern Colombia that is caught up in fighting between leftist guerrillas and the army, for a "Visit to the Family".
Read the story at ipsnews.net
Read about the indigenous peoples of Colombia 2007: "Indígenas sin derechos - Situación de los derechos humanos de los pueblos indígenas" (internal link, in Spanish)
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Mexico: Murder of Indigenous Reporters Fuels Hatred
June 2008
No one has been brought to justice for the murders of two young indigenous reporters in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca in April, a case that has mobilised social activists and drawn condemnation from UNESCO.
Read the article at upsidedownworld.org
Earlier news:
Protection of indigenous media sought at the UN (May 19 2008, indiancountry.com)
Two young women journalists working for indigenous community radio station in Oaxaca ambushed and shot (April 9, 2008, Reporters without Borders, web link)
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IACHR Concludes visit to Bolivia
June 13, 2008
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) conducted a visit to Bolivia from June 9-13, to gather information on the situation faced by a large number of indigenous Guaraní families known as captive communities, who continue to live in a state of bondage analogous to slavery in Bolivia’s Chaco region, in the departments of Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, and Tarija.
Read the press release (web link, cidh.org)
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Indigenous from the Peru-Brazil border are victims of illegal logging
June 2008
Two press releases from CIPIACI states that indigenous peoples from the Peru-Brazil border are victims of illegal logging and that loggers persecute them, murder them and burn their dwellings. A commission conformed by directors and technicians from CIPIACI and FENAMAD in partnership with the Asháninka Apiwtxa Association of the Amonya River, in Brazil, conducted a mission to the Peru-Brazil border, in order to ascertain the situation of the indigenous people in isolation.
Read the press release from June 27, 2008
Read the press release from June 30, 2008
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Latin America news archive 2007
Latin America news archive 2006
Latin America news archive 2004/05 |
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