International Solidarity

1 December 2008

by Justin Podur

I would have preferred to do some kind of letter to the editor, but it won't work. The need to react precisely precludes writing in Spanish, the need to write quickly precludes finding a translator, and the need to explain a great deal precludes the writing of a short letter. This article concerns the recent articles in el Tiempo, Colombia's national newspaper, on the FARC in Canada.

“Les juzgaremos conforme a las acciones masacrándoles en plazas públicas para que el pueblo conozca la justicia social que se merecen los traidores a la patria.” Carta de Amenaza de: Colombia Libre de Comunistas. Brazo Político Armado de las AUC. Febrero 5 de 2007.

We are very pleased to report the following news. The maximum authority of the indigenous territories of Northern Cauca, the Indigenous Tribunal, has found, after the report of its Investigative Commission that worked for a year and four months on the investigation, that the accusations against Manuel Rozental are entirely unfounded, without evidence or merit, and that the accusations represented an attack on the indigenous movement.

Open Letter from the "In the Name of Democracy" collective to the Organization of American States (OAS) and to the People of Ecuador

Saturday November 25, 2006

Mr. Jose Miguel Insulza
Secretary General
Organization of American States
Washington, D.C.
And
People of Ecuador

The people of Ecuador have a right to participate in free and fair elections. We support them in their struggle to exercise this fundamental right. We add our concerned voice to that of others demanding transparency and denouncing the grave irregularities reported in the first round of the presidential elections on October 15, 2006. We are particularly concerned with allegations regarding the unethical and partial behavior of the OAS head of mission, Rafael Bielsa, in the face of irregularities and manipulations on the part of Alvaro Noboa´s campaign. Our concern with the situation in Ecuador, based on abundant and reliable information and allegations of fraud in the first round and upcoming run-off in the presidential elections makes it imperative for us to write this public statement.

Manuel Rozental
Pueblos en Camino
Toronto, 2006-03-24

A partir de unos hechos recientes en Ecuador y en Colombia, se presenta una interpretación general y unos desafíos globales. Considero que los hechos reclaman una capacidad de reconocimiento y de reacción mayor y mas apropiada de la que existe en la practica, sin las cuales, los pueblos que resisten se quedan solos en sus actos heroicos y el imperio y sus agentes mienten, roban y matan a nombre de la justicia, la libertad y la democracia desde el inmerecido pedestal de la respetabilidad y el reconocimiento que, por criminales no merecen. Desde el clamor de los hechos de hoy y frente a responsabilidades y decisiones concretas, la historia de estos momentos nos llama para que la lucha digna no se ahogue en la soledad y para que la indignidad no siga avanzando impunemente. Examinar lo que venimos haciendo, lo que hicimos o dejamos de hacer en estos días, lo que podemos y debemos cambiar requiere de tomar las decisiones necesarias para tener la capacidad de reconocer la dimensión y magnitud de lo que los hechos representan y la responsabilidad individual y colectiva que nos corresponde para afrontar el horror y defender la dignidad.

En Camino’s Stance in support of Christian Peacemakers Team: Iraq and Beyond

We were shocked and saddened by the news of the kidnappings of the 4 companieros in Iraq. We must reiterate our absolute admiration and support for the committed work all CPTers carry out throughout the world. We in Colombia have been beneficiaries of your extraordinary convictions turned into action. We know you don't stay under cover to act on behalf of justice, peace and freedom. Yes, this involves consciously taking enormous risks. Yes, this is a decision based on an ethical stance that many more people in the north would benefit from following: you do not accept as a matter of fact that war, terror, misery, exclusion, deprivation and persecution are to be exerted against "them", while "we" remain under cover expressing, at most, our distant and heartfelt compassion. You get in there. You do not accept "we" and "them". We respect you profoundly for this and believe that those, intolerant to peace with justice, be them from the dominant established right or from any other group or position, are against life, justice, peace and humanity even if they all act (or state they act) for peace, justice, democracy or freedom. We will do what we can to promote the right to freedom and respect for the 4 kidnapped team mates and companieros. We offer our solidarity and share our own commitment: And

The Price of Our Struggle: Individuals and Groups, using threats and dirty war, seek to silence us

Action Alert

Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN)

October 29, 2005

The Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN) –CXAB WALA KIWE, announces the following to national and international public opinion.

1. In the past several days, a wave of threats has fallen over various of our community members, leaders, and authorities. To us this translates to a clear message that there are those who seek to destabilize the process of the indigenous communities in the northern zone of the department of Cauca.

Greetings from En Camino.

Silence from the media is expected. But what of the silence from the 'left', while massacres are going on?

Anthony Fenton
March 15, 2004

One thing we didn’t have during the 1991-94 *original* Aristide coup years was the World Wide Web. Back then, leftists could [maybe] be forgiven for their ignorance toward Haitian realities. This time around, there is no excuse. Where between 91-94 there was a relative dearth of insight and analysis into the actualities of the coup and its aftermath, in the lead up to and following the recent coup, we have seen a boon of such articles. In general, alternative, independent media ought to be commended for this.