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RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 1018
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008697 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL ECON SOCI CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA'S NATIONAL INDIGENOUS GROUPS CONGRESS 
FORGES UNITY, OUTLINES CONCERNS 
 
¶1.  Summary: The National Organization for the Indigenous in 
Colombia (ONIC) held its Seventh Congress December 9-14, 
declaring unity among all indigenous groups in South America 
and calling for protection of indigenous communities and 
their way of life.  Complaints ran high against private 
investment, free trade agreements and aerial spraying. 
Delegates demanded territorial land rights and government 
assistance in security, education and health programs.  The 
group also denounced violence against the indigenous, as well 
as displacement, stigmatization and discrimination. 
Indigenous groups account for 1.4 million, or less than 2%, 
of Colombia's population. End Summary. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Self-governance and Indigenous Rights 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  The National Organization for the Indigenous in Colombia 
(ONIC) held its Seventh Congress in Ibague, Tolima December 
9-14.  Nearly 3000 participants met in an outdoor pavilion at 
the University of Tolima to discuss land rights, health and 
education projects, and human rights issues.  Amid chantings 
by medicine men, communal cooking and handicraft displays, 
speakers called for indigenous unity and empowerment through 
self-governance.  ONIC president Luis Evelis Andrade Casama 
said self-governance and the fight for the indigenous way of 
life are threatened by commercialization, globalization and 
government indifference.  In a series of resolutions, ONIC 
voiced support for indigenous throughout South America, 
particularly for its "brother," Bolivian President Evo 
Morales.  Resolutions also criticized Colombia's forestry 
law, rural development law and free trade as "grave risks" to 
indigenous groups because they allegedly undermine indigenous 
rights to determine the use of territory and resources. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
Rally Against Private Investment and Spraying 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Joanne Washington, an ONIC coordinator, voiced 
disappointment over the lack of media interest in the event 
and absence of high level officials invited to the 
conference. ONIC's president publicly recognized the USG 
alongside the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights 
(UNHCHR) and the European Commission for attending the 
conference.  In private conversations, attendees told us they 
were surprised at the USG presence, especially in light of 
strong criticisms of aerial spraying and free trade, but said 
they appreciated the willingness to listen to their concerns. 
We highlighted USG assistance for indigenous through USAID's 
projects on alternative development, infrastructure, food 
security, justice and governance programs. The USG has 
committed to invest over $6 million between 2005-2008 through 
USAID's alternative development program for indigenous 
projects. Assistance to these communities focuses on 
strengthening indigenous governing councils, inter-cultural 
exchanges among indigenous groups, cultural preservation, 
building social infrastructure, and promoting environmental 
awareness. 
 
¶4. Andrew Miller of U.S.-based Amazon Watch told us land 
rights and opposition to private development were a hot topic 
at this year's Congress.  Ecopetrol, Colombia's state oil 
company, is viewed as a threat to the livelihood of U'wa 
groups in Norte de Santander, Boyaca and Arauca departments. 
Many speakers criticized President Uribe's Democratic 
Security policy, which they said leads to increased violence 
against the indigenous. Dario Mejia, ONIC's Education and 
Intercultural Coordinator, said aerial spraying has caused 
illness and displacement among the indigenous.  He cited an 
ONIC study that concluded 47 indigenous people are displaced 
daily (9% of total). Members of the Senu tribe in Cauca said 
they recognized GOC's efforts to improve security in general, 
but complained of being ignored by the government. Lack of 
basic needs, including housing, food and health, remains a 
serious problem. They preferred manual eradication to aerial 
spraying. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Violence and Displacement Among Concerns 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  ONIC officials expressed concern over arbitrary 
 
detention, physical threats, forced displacement, armed 
violence and criminal recruitment. ONIC also defines as human 
rights "violations" the negative impacts of multinational 
projects, spraying, stigmatization and discrimination, 
occurring mostly in Cauca, Putumayo and Guajira departments. 
Reports of increased violence against indigenous women were 
also highlighted. ONIC claimed that for all "violations" that 
occurred between 1998-2007, the GOC is responsible for 61%, 
paramilitary for 20%, and guerrillas for 7%. During that ten 
year period, 67,749 indigenous were displaced, 1897 leaders 
killed, 434 disappeared and 242 kidnapped, according to ONIC 
data.  Indigenous groups account for 1.4 million, or less 
than 2%, of Colombia's total population.  The GOC has granted 
over 30% of its national territory to protected indigenous 
communities (resguardos). 
Nichols