In the Choco region of Colombia, Afro-Colombian
communities are fighting for their right to live
and work in peace in their own territory.
Harassed, displaced and persecuted since the late 1990s, these
communities are on the frontlines of the war for land — their land.
On the other side are agribusiness firms backed by paramilitary
groups that want to use the land to grow African palm for the
production of agrofuel. It's an ongoing battle between life and profit.
In the Choco region of Colombia, it is the Afro-Colombian communities that have experienced the worst violence
in the war for the appropriation of their territory.
Murders, rape, displacement and intimidation have
haunted their life for more than 10 years.
Here is testimony from some brave people who have
lived through these times.
The Comisión Intereclesial Justicia y Paz, partner of
Development and Peace in Colombia, decided to act to
help the afro-Colombian communities of the Chocó region.
Thanks to the interventions of Justicia y Paz, communities
obtained recognition of their land rights. Humanitarian zones, which the armed forces are forbidden to enter, were established.
There is a lot still to be done, but the women living in these protected zones want to share some words
of solidarity with Canadians .
Development and Peace is the official international development organization
of the Catholic Church in Canada and
the Canadian
member of Caritas Internationalis.
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 420, Toronto, Ontario CANADA M4Y 1P9
