 
Open Letter to Colombian President-Elect Álvaro Uribe Vélez
June 2, 2005
President Álvaro Uribe Vélez
President of the Republic of Colombia
Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 No.7-26
Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia
Re: Fourth anniversary of the abduction of Kimy Pernia Domico
June 2, 2005
Dear President Uribe:
I write to you today on behalf of KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice
Initiatives. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the abduction
of Kimy Pernia Domico. There has been no progress in locating
him or bringing the perpetrators of this crime to justice. Mr. Pernia
led his community in peaceful protest against the impacts of the
Urra hydroelectric dam, including the flooding of Embera Katío’s
crops and sacred sites.
Mr. Pernia was forcibly disappeared in the town of Tierralta, June
2, 2001 by three armed men. While no one has claimed responsibility
for this act, the way in which the abduction was carried out suggests
that members of a paramilitary group perpetrated the abduction.
Mr. Pernia continues to be remembered and missed in Canada, by
both the Canadian people and their government. You may recall that
over 40 ministers of the Canadian Parliament signed a letter of
concern to the government in Colombia on June 5, 2001 immediately
following Mr. Pernia’s disappearance. In 2003, Mr. Pernia
was awarded the prestigious Canadian John Humphrey award for his
work in human rights. Canadians remember the date of Mr. Pernia’s
disappearance with sadness and concern that those responsible for
this crime have not been brought to justice and that targeted attacks,
disappearances and assassinations of indigenous leaders, human rights
defenders and community workers continue with impunity throughout
Colombia.
Mr. Pernia’s community continues to peacefully protest the
impacts of the dam. In December 2004, more than 400 Embera Katío
set up an encampment outside the Colombian Ministry of the Environment
in Bogotá to press for protection against further violence
and for steps to mitigate the effects of the dam on their lives.
Mr. President, we urge you and your government to complete a thorough
investigation into Kimy Pernia’s disappearance and to ensure
that those responsible for the crime are promptly arrested and charged.
We request that the Colombian government provide the promised measures
for the Embera
Katío’s survival, including compensation, new lands,
and guarantees of their safety.
We anxiously await your response on this important matter.
Yours truly,
Mary Corkery
Executive Director
cc. Ambassador Jean-Marc Duval
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