Amnesty International, July 20, 2017
Clashes between paramilitary groups, the National Liberation Army and state security forces continue to violate the rights of Indigenous communities in Chocó, in the Pacific region of Colombia.
On Monday 17 July, at around 9am, an armed confrontation was reported between the Colombian Naval Infantry (Infantería de Marina de Colombia) and an illegal armed group, a few metres from the Wounaan Indigenous community of San José and Taparalito of the San Juan River. Out of fear of facing further violence, this community of 900 Wounaan Indigenous people, have found themselves in a situation of forced confinement. Community members reported the events to the relevant authorities and requested protection measures and emergency humanitarian aid.
In addition to these clashes, the planting of anti-personnel mines in land near Indigenous communities in the department has been reported.
The Wounaan Authorities’ Community Council (WOUNDEKO) have also reported the forced recruitment of Indigenous children, in addition to further occurrences of forced displacement and fear among the Indigenous communities in Chocó. The Council has warned of the severity of the situation faced by the displaced Indigenous communities, primarily in the municipalities of Riosucio, Quibdó (the capital of Chocó) and Buenaventura (Cauca Valley).
