Friday, September 25, 2015

EMERGENCY PICKET MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 4PM Embassy of Colombia - 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN


EMERGENCY PICKET  
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 4PM 
Embassy of Colombia - 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN



We human rights organisations, the social and political movement, students and trade unions of southwest Colombia have worked hand in hand with FELICIANO VALENCIA and we demand his immediate release. We also demand that a disciplinary investigation be initiated against the arbitrary action of the judicial system officials who have waged a prolonged campaign against Feliciano. We express our complete solidarity with Feliciano, and our recognition of his strength, bravery and wisdom. We also express our complete solidarity with our sister indigenous organisations Asociacion de Cabildos Indigenas del Norte del Cauca (ACIN) and the Consejo Regional Indigena del Cauca (CRIC). From all around the southwest region ready for whatever protest actions may be needed to achieve Feliciano’s freedom.

FELICIANO VALENCIA is an indigenous leader            

FELICIANO VALENCIA is an indigenous leader from the Asociacion de Cabildos Indigenas del Norte del Cauca (ACIN), and was a councillor of the Consejo Regional Indigena del Cauca between 2007 and 2009. He was spokesperson of the social movement Alliance la Minga de Resistencia Social y Comunitaria, and also it’s successor the Congreso de los Pueblos. He is recognised as a ‘master of traditional knowledge’ by UNESCO, and is one of the most distinguished social movement leaders of the 21st century in Colombia. He is recognised nationally and internationally for his extensive knowledge of ethnic rights, his important contribution to advances in indigenous legislation, and his protagonist role in regional and national debates between social movements and Colombian ex-presidents Andres Pastrana and Alvaro Uribe Velez, and current president Juan Manuel Santos.

In recent years Feliciano has led countless public protests and campaign actions, which gave rise to negotiations and agreements with the government. Feliciano has been vociferous in demonstrating how the government has not complied with these agreements, and arguing that the Colombian state has a historic debt towards the social movements, communities and peoples. He has been invited to conferences, forums and to universities around the country to present the vision of peace of the indigenous movement and social movements, where he has outlined the proposal of construction of community-led, transformative peace which is inclusive and participative.

Because of his frank and uncompromising attitude in demanding respect for the collective rights of communities, he has suffered serious security threats against him, which have increased with his leadership in social protests against genocide and state abandonment of communities.

In his role as representative of indigenous authorities, Feliciano has exposed the responsibility of state and other armed groups’ in violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in indigenous territories.

THE FACTS



  • Feliciano Valencia was arrested on 15th September 2015 in La Augustina, Cauca, after having participated in an indigenous education event in the city of Popayan
  • His detention was ordered by the Tribunal Superior court in Popayan, which overruled a previous ruling which had found Feliciano innocent in the case which had been illegitimately pursued against him
  • This ruling violates the Colombian constitution, and the special indigenous legal jurisdiction which makes up part of what is defined in the constitution as a multi-ethnic, pluricultural rule of law system.
  • Feliciano Valencia has suffered constant persecution, harassment and threats, to the point that the Colombian state has classified his situation as high risk and the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights has ordered precautionary measures from the Colombian government to protect his life. Numerous international organisations have regularly spoken out over the risk to Feliciano, demanding protection for him and his family.
  • The immediate release of Feliciano
  • A disciplinary investigation into the officials who ordered his arrest
  • [Colombia Solidarity Campaign adds:] If you are in the UK, please write to the Colombian embassy at egranbretana@cancilleria.gov.co, expressing concern over Feliciano’s detention and quoting this statement from Colombian human rights organisations and social movements.



BACKGROUND:

On 10 April 2009, Feliciano Valencia was arrested at Cali airport when he was about to board a plane destined for Brazil, then on to Bolivia to participate in a regional forum of social movements. Feliciano was to represent the Minga de Resistencia Social y Comunitaria at the event. The capture was ordered by a judge in Piendamo, Cauca, who charged Feliciano with kidnapping and assault. These charges related to an incident in 2008, when along with 6000 other indigenous community members, Feliciano participated in the judgement of JAIRO DANILO CHAPARRAL SANTIAGO, a soldier from the Brigada Móvil No.2 del Batallón de Contra Guerrilla. The soldier had infiltrated the ongoing mobilisations, in order to act as an agent provocateur and to realise intelligence activities against the indigenous authorities and community members. During this process under the indigenous legal jurisidiction, human rights organisations, state human rights institutions, and national and international media were present.

On 22 October 2009, Feliciano Valencia received a death threat via a fax which also identified trade unions and human rights organisations as targets, signed by the Aguilas Negras paramilitary group.

On 9 December 2010, Feliciano received a death threat to his mobile pone, again from the Aguilas Negras paramiltary group.

On 16 August 2012, Feliciano received a death threat via a leaflet which was distributed in Santander de Quilichao, Cauca. This time the threat was signed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (paramilitaries).


WE DEMAND:



ASOCIACION NOMADESC
MOVICE-VALLE DEL CAUCA
PCN-PALENQUE REGIONAL EL CONGAL
ASOAGROS-CNA
CORPORACION SEMBRAR
DH-COLOMBIA
SINTRAUNICOL- SUBDIRECTIVA VALLE
FUNDESCODES – BUENAVENTURA
CONGRESO DE LOS PUEBLOS-VALLE
COMITÉ DE SOLIDARIDAD CON PRESOS POLITICOS
MUJERES CORTERAS DE LA CAÑA
ASOCIACION DE MUJERES Y HOMBRES DE TRIANA
COMITÉ INTERORGANIZACIONAL DE BUENAVENTURA
COMITÉ CIVICO POR LA DEFENSA Y DIGNIDAD DE BUENAVENTURA
UNIVERSIDAD INTERCULTURAL DE LOS PUEBLOS
MINGA SOCIAL Y COMUNITARIA
CAMPAÑA PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR

ACCION URGENTE

FALLO DEL TRIBUNAL DE POPAYAN QUE ORDENA LA DETENCION
DE FELICIANO VALENCIA ES POLITICO NO JURIDICO

Las organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos, movimiento social y político, sectores estudiantiles, sindicales del Sur Occidente de Colombia hemos trabajado de la mano con FELICIANO VALENCIA Y exigimos su libertad inmediata y que se inicie investigación disciplinaria por  las arbitrariedades que agentes judiciales vienen cometiendo de manera premeditada  y reiterada en su contra. Extendemos a FELICIANO todo nuestra solidaridad y reconocimiento por su fuerza, valentía y sabiduría y a nuestras organizaciones hermanas ACIN y CRIC toda nuestra solidaridad y desde diferentes organizaciones sociales del sur occidente quedamos pendientes a las convocatorias que sean necesarias hasta lograr la libertad de FELICIANO 

FELICIANO VALENCIA, autoridad indígena de la ACIN, consejero del CRIC entre 2007 y 2009,  vocero de la Minga de Resistencia Social y Comunitaria y del Congreso de los Pueblos;  considerado maestro de la sabiduría por la UNESCO, es uno de los lideres más significativos de las luchas sociales del  presente siglo en Colombia.  Reconocido a nivel nacional e internacional por su profundo conocimiento de los derechos étnicos,  sus importantes aportes en relación con los avances de la legislación indígena, la participación en los grandes debates regionales y nacionales con los ex presidentes ANDRES PASTRANA, ALVARO URIBE VELEZ y el actual mandatario de Colombia  JUAN MANUEL SANTOS.

En los últimos años ha participado de innumerables acciones públicas las cuales han culminado en mesas de concertación con el gobierno y acuerdos sobre los cuales el ha manifestado su preocupación por los incumplimientos y la deuda histórica del Estado colombiano con las comunidades, pueblos y sectores a nivel nacional.  Ha sido invitado por diversas universidades del país a presentar las propuestas de paz del movimiento indígena y social y  permanentemente convocado a  foros públicos y debates académicos en las que ha sustentado la propuesta de construcción de rutas  de paz, trasformadora, integral, incluyente y participativa.

Por su actitud franca y clara al demandar los derechos colectivos de las comunidades ha  sufrido problemas graves de seguridad los cuales se han agudizado en medio de acciones públicas de protesta por el genocidio y abandono.  En el ejercicio de sus cargos como autoridad indígena ha evidenciado la responsabilidad del estado y diversos actores armados en la violación en la violación a los DH, DIH, y DESCA, en los territorios indígenas.

LOS HECHOS

El líder Indígena Feliciano Valencia fue detenido el día de ayer 15 de septiembre de 2015, a la altura de La Agustina,  luego de haber participado en una jornada de trabajo del Programa de Educación indígena realizada en la ciudad de  Popayán.

La orden de captura fue expedida por el Tribunal Superior de Popayán quien  revoco el fallo de primera instancia que había declarado a FELICIANO VALENCIA inocente del proceso que de manera irregular se seguía en su contra.

La modificación de la sentencia obedece a un fallo que viola la constitución política de Colombia  y la jurisdicción especial indígena que hace parte constitutiva del estado social de derecho, multiétnico y pluricultural. 

FELICIANO VALENCIA ha sufrido una permanente persecución, amenaza,  hostigamiento y  su situación de  seguridad ha sido considerada por el propio Estado Colombiano de alto riesgo, cuenta con medidas cautelares de la CIDH y la comunidad internacional se ha pronunciado permanentemente exigiendo al estado colombiano prevención y protección de su integridad y la de su familia.

ANTECEDENTES DE LAS ACCIONES DE PERSECUCION, AMENAZA CONTRA FELICIANO

El 10 de abril de 2009,  Feliciano Valencia fue detenido en el aeropuerto de Cali Alfonso Bonilla Aragón. Los hechos se produjeron cuando algunos miembros del DAS interceptaron a Feliciano en el momento en que se disponía a abordar un avión con destino al Brasil, y luego Bolivia donde  participaría  en un encuentro de organizaciones sociales como vocero de la Minga Social y Comunitaria. La captura se produjo por una orden del juzgado segundo de Piendamó, Cauca que le imputo secuestro y lesiones personales. Estos delitos se le atribuyeron desde el año 2008 por encontrarse como mas de seis mil indígenas mas en el juzgamiento del Militar adscrito a la Brigada Móvil No.2 del Batallón de Contra Guerrilla No. 15 JAIRO DANILO CHAPARRAL SANTIAGO que se infiltró el resguardo indígena de la María Piendamó para realizar acciones de inteligencia, atentados y montajes contra las autoridades y demás integrantes de las comunidades movilizadas, donde participaron representantes de la defensoría del pueblo, de organismos de derechos humanos y medios de comunicación nacionales e internacionales.

El 22 de Octubre de 2009, fue amenazado por medio de un panfleto que llego a organizaciones sindicales y de derechos Humanos vía Fax suscrito por Aguilas Negras.  

El 9 de Diciembre 2010 fue amenazado vía mensaje de texto a su numero celular suscrito por Aguilas Negras

El 16 de Agosto de 2012 recibió amenazas vía panfleto que repartieron en Santander de Quilichao suscrita por las Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC)

El 24 septiembre 2012         

SOLICITAMOS

Libertad Inmediata para el líder y autoridad indígena del Norte del Cauca Feliciano Valencia
Investigación en contra de los funcionarios judiciales que expidieron la orden de captura



ASOCIACION NOMADESC
MOVICE-VALLE DEL CAUCA
PCN-PALENQUE REGIONAL EL CONGAL
ASOAGROS-CNA
CORPORACION SEMBRAR
DH-COLOMBIA
SINTRAUNICOL- SUBDIRECTIVA VALLE
FUNDESCODES – BUENAVENTURA
CONGRESO DE LOS PUEBLOS-VALLE
COMITÉ DE SOLIDARIDAD CON PRESOS POLITICOS
MUJERES CORTERAS DE LA CAÑA
ASOCIACION DE MUJERES Y HOMBRES DE TRIANA
COMITÉ INTERORGANIZACIONAL DE BUENAVENTURA
COMITÉ CIVICO POR LA DEFENSA Y DIGNIDAD DE BUENAVENTURA
UNIVERSIDAD INTERCULTURAL DE LOS PUEBLOS
MINGA SOCIAL Y COMUNITARIA
CAMPAÑA PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR



Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Reclaim Power and Defend Life: A Tour



On the 9th and 10th of October, grassroots movements across the world will join together as part of #ReclaimPower, two days of international action to transform our energy and economic systems and stop climate change. They will be demanding an end to dirty energy and extraction, and a rapid shift to people-controlled renewables. 

Over the same dates, Peru will be hosting the annual gathering of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Local movements will be assembling to oppose the unaccountable powers and destructive impacts of these institutions. 

London is one of the centres of the global financial system, and a major hub of dirty energy industries around the world. 

To #ReclaimPower here in the UK, and show our solidarity with those in Lima, various London-based groups will be leading an action tour in Central London on the 9th of October. The tour will stop at various companies and government agencies that are enabling and financing dirty energy projects around the world, and delaying the swift and just energy transformation we so desperately need. The list of stops will include Vedanta, Glencore, BP, Anglo American, Rio Tinto, the UK Export Credit Agency, and the offices of the World Bank.

During the course of the tour, we will be hearing from affected communities and experts about the impacts of company projects, and will be coming together to say:
- No to dirty energy and yes to people-controlled renewables! 
- End the financing of planetary destruction! 
- Respect Indigenous Land Rights!
- Protect people’s rights to food, water, and justice!  
- Protect people's rights to say no to dirty energy and extractive projects! 
- No to the criminalization of protest and dissent! 

Join us on the 9th! 


*** DETAILS
The tour will start at 3pm on the 9th of October just outside Green Park Underground station, and will finish at 5:15, with a rally outside the offices of the World Bank. If you cannot make the beginning the tour, please feel free to join us along the way or for the closing rally at Millbank Tower, SW1P 4QP.

More details about the tour and the route will be released soon.

Supporting Organisations:
Movimiento Jaguar Despierto
Oil Vay: Jewish Climate Action UK
This Changes Everything UK
War on Want