Colombian communities stand up to paramilitaries who have given them 72 hours to leave their homes

Just weeks after a grenade was hurled into a community gathering on May 4 2019, Colombia’s Afro-descendant leaders have once again been threatened. This time paramilitary organisations have given them 72 hours to leave their territory in the region of Northern Cauca – with July 15 at 2pm marking the end of this notice period. The leaders, who include 2018 Goldman Environmental Award winner Francia Márquez, are standing in resistance against this new threat, and standing up for their rights to life, dignity, collective territory and peace with social justice.

Forest Peoples' Programme condemns these threats, and continues to work with our partners of the Palenke Alto Cauca, the regional governance body of Black Communities – Proceso de Comunidades Negras – in defence of their physical and territorial integrity. 

For more information, see W Radio's full report.