Members of this indigenous population will speak at the Parliament on 26 November. The event will also see the launch of ABColombia‘s new report on “Colombia: Violence and LGBTQI+ women and LGBTQI+ people, its causes and consequences”.
Louise Winstanley*
Both the indigenous people’s visit and the event are organised by ABColombia, the organisation that has produced this report, whose information comes from a conference they held in Bogotá, Colombia, with the UN Special Rapporteur on Women and Violence, its Causes and Consequences, Reem Alsalem, and women from all rural areas of Colombia.
The Sierra Nevada is a sacred and vital space for the Wiwa, Kankuamo, Arhuaco and Koguí Indigenous Peoples. This region is known for its enormous natural value but also for its spiritual importance. These Peoples call it the “Heart of the World” due to its role in maintaining the cosmic order and the harmony of life on Earth and is defined by the invisible ring or boundary formed by the sacred spaces of the Black Line.
The Sierra is a strategic ecosystem for the planet’s sustainability as recognised by UNESCO when it declared it a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1979).
Today, the Wiwa are engaged in a dangerous struggle to remain on their land – as control over their territory is disputed by illegal armed and criminal groups, mining companies and other large-scale development projects. The context of armed conflict, together with the advance of mining and other megaprojects, represents a direct threat to the life, culture and the biodiversity of the Wiwa Indigenous Peoples territory.
“These armed groups use extreme violence and torture to the extent of dismembering and displaying the dismembered bodies to instil terror in the communities in order to consolidate their control.” Jenny Ortiz, CINEP
According to Global Witness’ annual report, Colombia is the worst country in the world for the killing of environmental and land defenders. According to a Colombia think tank, INDEPAZ, to date 156 human rights defenders and community leaders have been killed this year (2024)
“Wiwa women are victims of multiple forms of violence, femicide, sexual and gender-based violence and physical abuse perpetrated by legal and illegal armed actors, tourists and others…”, explains Edilma Loperena, indigenous Leader
Women are forced to live in silence without access to adequate cultural or health care and threats and killings of indigenous leaders, male and female, have increased significantly.
And Jose Felix Martinez, a Wiwa leader, says: “The armed actors have burnt our traditional and ceremonial buildings; this is a symbolic and profound loss for the Wiwa people. These attacks are destroying our heritage, and our cultural and spiritual identity – ‘the heart of the world’ is in danger’ – it is time for the world to hear the urgent call of the peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.”
Date, time and place: Tuesday, 26 November, 5 pm, IPU Room, Palace of Westminster. More information: ABColombia.
*Louise Winstanley, ABColombia Programme and Advocacy Manager.
(Photos: Pixabay)
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