Awá leader in Tumaco murdered

A message to the public
Ago 01 de 2022

We, the Red de Derechos Humanos del Pacífico Nariñense y Pie de Monte Costero -ReDHPaNa and the Colectivo Sociojurídico Orlando Fals Borda COFB-Colectivo OFB, reject the violent acts that the ethnic territories of the Pacífico Nariñense have been suffering over the last few months.

Last Sunday July 31, 2022, the Awá leader María Verónica Pai Cabeza member of the Piguambi Palangala Indigenous Protected Area, member of ORIPAP and pregnant of 6 months was murdered in the vereda Vaquerio in Tumaco, department of Nariño and the South of Colombia.

During the last months of the year 2022, the indigenous territories of the Awá community in the city of Tumaco, have been the target of various victimizing events such as confinements, forced disappearances, homicides and the disrespect for their ancestral sacred places and their authorities. Less than a month ago, on July 3, 2022, three indigenous members of the Awá community were assassinated in the Inda Sabaleta protected area. The murdered leaders were: Juan Orlando Moriano, John Faver Nastacuas and Carlos José García.

We call on all armed actors to respect the life and integrity of every citizen of the Pacific, especially our sisters and leaders, who are the guardians of life and keepers of the cultural legacy of our communities.

We also demand that the national, regional and municipal governments build mechanisms to achieve a stable and lasting peace that allows the survival of ethnic peoples. It is time for dialogue to facilitate the construction of a society that respects the life and integrity of we all.

"Solidarity with the Resguardo Piguambi Palangala".

HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK OF THE PACIFIC OF NARIÑO AND COASTAL FOOTHILLS - "REDHPANA".

ORLANDO FALS BORDA SOCIO-LEGAL COLLECTIVE "COFB".

Calle 14, carrera 16, Calle del comercio, barrio la calavera, house No.5-34,

Cell phones: 323 232 32 22 - 316 823 58 05 / Email: [email protected]