Hundreds of families from more than 14 indigenous peoples complete more than 60 days occupying the Enrique Olaya Herrera National Park in Bogotá. The humanitarian crisis, which worsens with the passing of hours and the death of a minor of one year and nine months, once again put the magnifying glass on this community.
Indigenous peoples assure that they have been forced to leave their territories due to the armed conflict, under threats from armed groups and that is why they have remained in the National Park since last September 29.
“From our minga space we have requested a genuine dialogue table that can advance an agenda that guarantees the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples,” the community assured.
However, they assure that neither the District nor the Government has entered into real agreements with them to comply with a public policy that helps them comply with their constitutional guarantees.
Given the rumors of a possible transfer from the National Park to Florida Park, in conversation with Colprensa, Jairo Montañez, leader of the Embera community, ruled out that for now the indigenous people are going to leave the place.
“For now, the agreement we have reached is that there will be care for early childhood, prioritizing the population from zero to two years of age, on the issue of nutritional assessment and monitoring, in the company of the ICBF (Colombian Institute of Family Welfare) like the Ministry of Health ”, said the leader.
And he added that, “we are not going to go to Florida Park under any circumstances” because in his opinion, “there are some problems of coexistence, because when some indigenous people were here they got up and that generated a rupture between the people … Also, no you have the minimum conditions in terms of work, health and education, “he said.
Montañez also assured that the basis of what they ask for to mobilize has not been fulfilled, which is a public policy focused on the indigenous population, “all in compliance with constitutional actions … There are already sentences stipulated in favor of us as victims and what we ask is that the District comply with the 62 actions agreed with the indigenous people of Bakatá ”.
The indigenous people assure that the only response obtained has been the refusal to dialogue, “the opening of a police process for the eviction by the District Secretary of Government, a process that does not have any legal or constitutional guarantee.”
Likewise, indigenous leaders assured this medium that in the health brigades carried out by private bodies and entities, serious health conditions of different kinds were reported, mostly among boys and girls, lactating or pregnant women, which is why issued an early warning on November 8, 2021, with a copy to all entities and the public prosecutor.
Therefore, they assured that the events in which the minor died, “are the exclusive responsibility of the District Administration, due to the omission, laziness and inability of the district officials and directors, particularly the Secretary and Undersecretary of Government in giving answers. structural needs, which led us to regret the loss today ”.
In the face of this death, the District spoke out and said that it deeply regrets this loss. He added that five weeks ago it was proposed to transfer this population to the headquarters in La Florida, located on the outskirts of the city, which has sanitary batteries, as well as the hygienic and infrastructure conditions necessary to stay and spend the night in a more suitable.
The District added that they expect a more proactive and conciliatory position from the Ombudsman’s Office and the Victims Unit, as well as from the Embera community authorities, to achieve the relocation of these people and made a call to accept this. solution.
“The district entities in charge are looking for solutions to improve the situation of these people from the Embera indigenous community during their stay in the city; however, the will of the parties is required to accept these types of proposals and to avoid such painful situations, ”the district concluded.
For its part, the Personería of Bogotá called on the district authorities to speed up dialogue with indigenous communities and establish agreements. “We have tirelessly insisted in all scenarios that it is essential to exhaust the instances of dialogue and find points of agreement with the indigenous community settled in the National Park. We urge the District to urgently address the crisis that arises; as well as intercultural dialogue with the competent entities to define the actions that guarantee the integral protection of the fundamental rights to life, decent housing, minimum vitality of all ”, they pointed out.
Another group returns to its territory
130 families made up of 423 people from the Embera community will return to their territories this Wednesday, December 1, according to the Victims Unit.
The director of this entity, Ramón Rodríguez, indicated that these families had been staying for some time in the facilities of Parque de la Florida, in the northwest of Bogotá.
The official said that there will be a review on issues of health, education and also the offer that is available in Pueblo Rico, Risaralda, where they will arrive. “Days later, we will advance transitional justice committees in Chocó to accompany the families of La Florida Park to Mistrató and Alto Darién,” he reported.
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