CPTnet
24 March 2011
COLOMBIA URGENT
ACTION: Las Pavas community returning to its land; sign petition and share with
your networks
Dear friends of
justice,
The time has
come to act in support of the displaced Colombian community of Las Pavas.
After almost two
years of displacement, the community has decided to take the courageous step of
returning to their land within the next week. They are asking for your support
during this risky time.
Please click here
to sign a petition showing your solidarity with the community of Las
Pavas.
In July of 2009, the Colombian National Police and a police
riot squad forcibly evicted 123 families of Las Pavas—in the township of Buenos
Aires, El Peñón municipal jurisdiction, Bolivar department—from their
land. The land has since been
illegally used by the Daabon Group as a palm oil plantation, thus denying community
members access to their farms, their major source of food.
Though they are exercising their legal
right to retake their land, community members are risking serious violence
against them from the Colombian authorities and illegal armed groups. Sign
the petition
to
- demand that the law enforcement refrain from
excessive force during their return, - support the judicial process of transferring
ownership to the community, - investigate harassment by ten armed men—one a
known paramilitary—of a community leader
Your support could help secure a safe and just return for
the families of Las Pavas. Please click here
to sign the petition. Please share
this petition within your networks as well.
Let’s stand together with the people of Las Pavas!
In peace and solidarity,
Christian Peacemaker Teams, Colombia
