ACIMVIP rejects anonymous pamphlets and demands guarantees for the Nukanchipa Alpa Amukunapa Wasi Resguardo

by Comunicaciones COICA | Mar 13, 2020 | Destacado, Noticias, OPIAC

STATEMENT TO REGIONAL PUBLIC OPINION,
NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL

The Inga People of Villagarzón, Putumayo, denounce before
to Human Rights Institutions and other competent Entities threats and
accusations.

Villagarzón Putumayo – March 13, 2020

The Association of Indigenous Cabildos of the
municipality of Villagarzón Putumayo – ACIMVIP, in its capacity as the highest
representative body of the political and spiritual authorities of the people
Inga of Villagarzón, publicly expresses its rejection, repudiation and condemnation
and strongly denounces the anonymous Pamphlets that are
circulating on social networks and other media, since they are publications
reckless, slanderous and criminal, which place at serious risk the life and
survival of the Inga People native to Villagarzón (Putumayo), as well as
place the life and integrity of our leaders and women leaders at imminent risk
in their territories.

From the Cabildo Mayor – ACIMVIP
we consider that there are interests of actors external to the communities
Indigenous [Peoples] by fostering an interethnic conflict that has historically never existed.
Proof of this is that the Inga People have always stood in solidarity with their brothers and sisters
Indigenous people from other peoples: (Pastos, Awá, Embera), who arrive in the department and
to the municipality of Villagarzón in search of other life opportunities. How-
ever, we find ourselves in a context where there are people whose sole objective
is to divide the Indigenous Peoples with the aim of taking advantage and obtaining
benefits and economic gains from the disorder in the territory and at the expense of the
loss of the collective rights of the Inga People. A sign of this is the use of
anonymous communications, which attack the truth, the life and the honor of
our leaders and women leaders, through pamphlets that distort history
and the truth, and only seek to intimidate and sow fear in our communities.

These accusations
anonymous [pamphlets] respond to dark and private interests that disregard the
process of territorial, cultural and political struggle and resistance carried out
by the Inga People from colonization in the times of the conquest to the
present day. The same process of resistance that today has, on the verge of the
physical and cultural extinction to the Inga People, as the Honorable
Constitutional Court in Judgment T-025 of 2004 and in Auto 004 of 2009. This
Court declared an unconstitutional state of affairs and established that the People
Inga and others, is at “Imminent risk of physical and cultural disappearance”
owing to the conflict and its underlying and related factors. Therefore
we consider that such accusations and threats are serious and untrue, since they revictimize
and call into question the honor and good name of the Inga People native to
Municipality of Villagarzón (Putumayo), the same one that, on the contrary, has
characterized as a people of peace that maintains an intrinsic and
spiritual [relationship] with its territory through the systems of knowledge
traditional and governance [systems], as well as by maintaining a harmonious dialogue and
respectful with the other sectors of civil society. Likewise, the people
Inga has always been and remains consistent in the care and protection of the territory.
Therefore, we refute the accusations of corruption or of associations with
extractive interests in our territories; proof of this is that
filing several legal actions seeking the protection and defense of
territory and reflect our unconditional commitment to it.

Clearly these acts of
disinformation seek to cast doubt on and obstruct the guarantee of rights
territorial [rights] represented by the process of Constitution of the Resguardo NUKANCHIPA ALPA AMUKUNAPA WASI, which has been under way for more
than 25 years, which covers the territory of the Inga community Nukanchipa
Alpa Amukuna Wasi; said territory is and will be destined for the conservation and
protection of the natural resources and cultural elements of the community, of
agreement the exercise of governance, greater right, law of origin, uses and
customs of the Inga People. It is important to specify that the Resguardo in question
was recognized after a meticulous process carried out by the National Agency
of Lands ANT and the Inga People of Villagarzón, which was carried out with
respect for the rights of the parties and in strict observance of the Law, the
National Constitution, Decree 1071 of 2015, and other regulations in force
related to the matter.

In the last 5 years the
peasant association ADEVESCA, has been carrying out de facto actions against
the constitution of the aforementioned Resguardo and of the Inga People,
exposing the security, tranquility, life and honor of the community members and
community members of the Inga People of the municipality and of our leaders and authorities
traditional. Actions directed by persons outside the communities
peasant [communities] who have lived together on good neighborly terms and with respect for the
Indigenous communities-

Given the seriousness of the
situations described, the Association
of Indigenous Cabildos of the municipality of Villagarzón Putumayo – ACIMVIP proceeds
a:

- Report these actions to the Office of the Attorney General
criminal [acts] and actions outside the law so that in any case those responsible
be brought to justice.

- We urge the civil authorities of the municipality and of the
department and to the Public Ministry headed by the Ombudsman's Office to
international organizations such as the UN,
the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights – IACHR, and the MAPP – OAS to
that a roadmap be built that guarantees and safeguards the life and survival of the Inga People of
Villagarzón and that follow-up be carried out, in accordance with its competent jurisdiction,
regarding the various accusations and their possible repercussions or
consequences that this type of reckless expressions may have on our
leaders, women leaders, community members.

- We urge the Municipal Mayor of Villagarzón that instead of
adopt actions that increase the level of conflict, establish a scenario
of dialogue with ACIMVIP and the traditional Authorities of the Inga People where
document and appreciate the real value and meaning of the constitution of the Resguardo NUKANCHIPA ALPA AMUKUNAPA WASI.

- We demand efficiency and effectiveness from the Municipal Mayor's Office of Villagarzón
in compliance with the provisions of Ruling T-025 of 2004 and Order
004 of 2009, order issued by the honorable Constitutional Court.

- We urge the National Protection Unit – UNP, which
adopt URGENTLY the measures
necessary culturally appropriate protection [measures] for the leaders
and women leaders, as well as collective protection measures for the Inga People of
Villagarzón.

- We urge the Regional Ombudsman to
issue a substantive statement on the present aggressions and take actions in
defense of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the municipality of Villagarzón
and in any case establish an intensive training mechanism for the Mayor
municipal [Mayor], the municipal Ombudsman, municipal officials and the organization
ADEVESCA, who disregard the special regulations for the protection of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous [Peoples].

- We urge the National Commission on the human rights of the
Indigenous Peoples of Colombia – CNDDHHPI to undertake the actions
urgent and assist before the competent entities and urge the protection
of the fundamental rights, life and territory of the Inga People of Villagarzón
Putumayo.

- We urge the Indigenous organizations at the level
regional, national and international [levels] in exercise of their powers so that
accompany and activate the programs for the defense of territorial defenders and
establish the corresponding safeguard mechanisms in coordination with
the entities of the Colombian State and the Inga People of Villagarzón for the
protection and guarantees of territorial rights.

Association of Indigenous Cabildos of the municipality
of Villagarzón Putumayo – ACIMVIP – Cabildo Mayor.

KUASANKAMALLA!

Originally published by Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA) on March 13, 2020

Read the story on Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin (COICA) ↗