Misak people in Colombia calls for right to life

[Judi Lynn]

Bogota, Jun 12 (Prensa Latina) The Misak indigenous people of Colombia called for respect to its rights, territories and ancestral culture during a demonstration on the grounds of the monument to Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella the Catholic in Bogota.

Early in the morning, the Ministry of Culture removed the two statues, after the indiginous community tried to tear them down the day before due to their colonization symbolism.

To the rythm of music played with their traditional instruments, this people, which lives in southern Colombia, in the Cauca Department, celebrated its victory over the ruling elites.

The Misak and the more than 60 indigenous peoples that live in Colombia joined the anti-governmental demonstrations, through the 'minga', which means resistance seeking vindication, and other forms of protest.

These communities are calling for respect to life and human rights, to the territory. They are calling for peace and an economic model that respects Mother Earth.

Since the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2016, at least 300 indigenous leaders have been assassinated in the country, the Institute for Development and Peace Studies warns.

In addition, poverty in ancestral populations amounts to 63 percent, three times the national average, according to official data.

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