A criminal pattern of violent land invasions into Indigenous Bribri Territory continues with impunity - Salitre, Costa Rica

During 25-26 December 2018, the Bribri People −subjects of Precautionary Measures issued by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights ordering the State to protect them− were subjected to violence and threats in their indigenous territory of Salitre by a group of non-indigenous individuals armed with machetes and guns. To date, the State has not detained any of the perpetrators, and despite these ongoing tensions in the lands of the Río Azul community (as well as in the Huacas ranch), there is no permanent presence of the Fuerzas Públicas (local police) to guarantee peace and security. This criminal pattern −taking advantage of the end of the year and Holy Week holidays to attack, invade, assault, and illegally take possession of land− has been met with little resistance by authorities over the last 6 years, and continues in impunity. A press release describing what occurred is attached below (spanish only).

For more information, you can contact, Vanessa Jiménez, Senior Attorney at: vanessa@forestpeoples.org