Three out of four indigenous children in Colombia are malnourished and
1200 indigenous have been killed in the last nine years, a report by
the United Nations claims.
The report was presented on Thursday by the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, who is currently visiting Colombia.
The situation of the indigenous tribes is “very serious” with 75% of their children being underfed, director of the national indigenous organization ONIC, Luis Andrade Evelis, told Caracol Noticias.
At least 34 of 87 indigenous tribes in Colombia are in serious danger of becoming extinct, Andrade added.
Twelve hundred indigenous have been killed by guerrillas, paramilitaries and state agents between 2000 and 2009. The ethnic groups most affected by the armed conflict are the Kankuamos, of whom 300 have been murdered. The Awa have lost over 100 members and the Nassa more than 50.
To protest against the murders of indigenous people, 5000 members of different ethnic groups started a march on Thursday in the Cauca department. The march which will lead to Corinto, where last weekend two indigenous were killed in a guerrilla attack.
“We protest against death and to defend life. We march because death is being imposed on life and we believe that life should be above anything. We march because our territories should be free of war,” Luis Acosta, coordinator of the indigenous guard, said.