Victoria Neuta's dark, warm eyes look to the floor before she speaks. She is thinking of the conflict in her country and the perils that fighting for peace can bring. As coordinator of women's affairs for the National Indigenous Organization in Colombia (ONIC), Neuta helps indigenous Colombians negotiate land disputes with the government, and supports the work of women within their communities. She has watched as indigenous men and women are pushed off their land, are wrongfully arrested and raped, have their freedoms restricted, disappear and are even killed. She knows her work is dangerous. "When we go out, we know something could happen," said Neuta, speaking through a translator during a recent visit to Toronto. "But I don't think about it. We just continue with our work."
The Central American country of Colombia has been embroiled in a brutal civil war for more than 40 years that has killed about 200,000 people. Dubbed by the UN as the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere, Colombia's struggles seem to be far from over. Human rights violations such as disappearances, kidnappings and murders are rampant in many areas of the country, whether under guerilla or paramilitary control.
As a result of the dispute, Colombia has the highest number of internally displaced people in the hemisphere and is second in the world to Sudan. A total of three million people have already been displaced – with 300,000 in the last year alone. Colombians are being forced from their homes, or are fleeing for their lives to refugee camps or neighbouring countries.
Indigenous Colombians, who comprise about two per cent of the population, have been badly affected. Neuta said they are ignored by the government, left without social services and needed supplies, while their land is turned over to big businesses interested in the country's natural resources. In turn, indigenous groups are either controlled by paramilitaries and isolated from others, or are driven off their land, left on their own to find other areas to settle. "Malnutrition, illness, death and social problems are emerging in border communities because no one is caring for them," said Neuta, her voice rising as she lists the injustices. "And the newest phenomenon is an increase in suicide."
The war is being fought by government paramilitaries and guerilla movements (namely the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which Canada lists as a terrorist organization). Land claims are at the root of the problem; stemming from the country's severely unbalanced land distribution. Three per cent of the population owns 70 per cent of the land – a serious problem when about 23 million Colombians live below the poverty line. "No matter what action is taken, it affects indigenous people," Neuta said. "It's like being in the middle of a sandwich."
Control of the country's massive drug industry compounds the problem. Colombia is the world's leading cultivator of coca, the plant used to make cocaine, and supplies 90 per cent of the United States' cocaine market. Aerial crop fumigation – intended to eradicate coca crops – remains controversial, as many legitimate crops are also affected and the health of farmers is compromised. Neuta said cancer, skin problems and newborn deformities are all on the rise in areas where fumigation has continued for several years. She said indigenous groups told the government they would get rid of the coca crops manually, but their offer was refused. "Indigenous people have their own ways of doing things," she said, her words tumbling out quickly. "We're not on one side. We want to stay out of it. But we must defend our territory and fight for unity and our culture."
Neuta's passion for ending human rights abuses and promoting peace is evident as her eyes once again well up while discussing her motivation to continue her work. "It is the hope that we give to many indigenous communities," she said, her gaze resolute despite the tears. "I need to be a voice for those who are not listened to. I'm motivated by their efforts to live and by the women who struggle. I want the government to be fair and to provide justice to all. We want to have peace." – AM
