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TITLE: Blockades In The Chapare Region, Human Rights Activists Tear-Gassed |
AUTHOR: |
DATE: April 27, 2001 |
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HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TEAR-GASSED DURING PEACEFUL GATHERING At noon today throughout the nation, the Permanent Human Rights Assembly and other institutions held a peaceful protest with a ten minute moment of silence to advocate dignity, economic justice and human rights (see attached Manifesto). Approximately 30 heavily armed police officers tear-gassed the group and press in attendance at the Murillo Plaza in La Paz. BLOCKADES IN THE CHAPARE At midnight on Wednesday April 25, Chapare coca growers began to block the main highway between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba through the region (150 km). At approximately 5:00 am that morning Bolivian military began to remove blockades. Since that time, coca growers have replaced blockades as soon as the security forces have removed them. This early phase of "cat and mouse" is gradually shifting to stronger blockades, as additional communities begin to participate. Road blockades in the Chapare region will most likely be consolidated on Tuesday, May 1, as other sectors begin to block highways and roads throughout the nation. On Wednesday, the strongest points in the blockade were in the Mamore Federation. Combined forces maintained a high profile throughout the region. Shinahota is under military control. However, a gradually increasing resistance on the part of coca growers, with around 650 local unions participating. Each union has 50-150 members. The coca growers' movement designates around 20 percent of members at the blockades at any given time. Members rotate approximately every 24 hours. This, paired with the possibility of a larger percentage of participants, blockades could continue indefinitely It has been confirmed that the 8th military division situated in Santa Cruz has called on its members who are now ready to move to the Chapare region to intervene with the road blockades. Bolivian government officials stated on the government station yesterday that is was safe to travel and that the highway was open. This deliberate misinformation left several hundred passengers stranded in the region during the September-October blockades last year. FIRST DETAINEES OF THE CHAPARE REGION OF COCHABAMBA The Cochabamba chief of Police, Colonel Eduardo Wayar has confirmed the detention of two individuals as a consequence of an incident that occurred yesterday when a helicopter, according to information from police authorities, was attacked by shots from firearms. Military police detained 7 individuals yesterday for instigating public disorder and obstructing traffic near San Isidro. (Felipe Flores, Alberto Calderon, Hugo Diaz Arce, Basilio Lopez, Armando Lazarte, Simon Torres, Benito Duran Garcia). Technical Judicial Police (PTJ) officers detained Maximo Torres, Alex Mendez, Elias Condori for disorderly conduct in Senda 3. All were liberated last night as a result of the efforts of the Human Rights Ombudsman's Chapare Office. There are reports of at least 4 more detainees today in Shinahota. This practice of arbitrary detentions exacerbates existing tensions between Combined forces and coca growers, increasing the possibility of violent confrontations in the near future. The government continues to refuse dialogue with coca growers. Information Minister, Manfredo Kempff stated, " There is nothing to negotiate with the ex-coca growers in the Chapare." LA PAZ YUNGAS-BLOCKADES AND MISSING PERSONS Blockades in this region are scheduled to begin sometime between tonight and May 1 in Nor and Sud Yungas. Leaders of the Colonizers' confederation denounced that 19 participants in the March for Life and Sovereignty (the great majority from the La Paz Yungas) have been missing since April 22 when security forces dispersed their group in Pongo. Union leaders are attempting to locate these individuals in their communities or elsewhere. Please contact AIN for the names of these individuals. OTHER SECTORS ANNOUNCE BLOCKADES AND STRIKES The Cochabamba Water Coordinator, water rights activists and others elected to postpone blockades until after consultative meeting with their members today. Blockades could begin at any time. Leaders of the COMUNAL (the organizations that Participated in the March for Life and Sovereignty have a meeting with Catholic Church officials tonight to develop strategies to bring the government to the negotiating table. Felipe Quispe Huanca, leader of the Campesino Federation (CSUTCB) had stated that they would begin blockades in rural areas on May 1, but has decided to debate the possibility on Monday April 30. COB- STRIKE, MARCH AND BLOCKADES The Bolivian Workers' Union COB has called an indefinite strike road blockades and a march from Oruro to La Paz beginning on May first. This group demands: 1) wage increase 2) government compliance with agreement signed with the CSUTCB in October 3) defense of the coca leaf 4) opposition to anti-drug Law 1008 5) no further privatization of government companies 6) abolition oar articles 55 and 56 of Supreme Decree 21060 7) the creation of job stability 8) immediate payment of agreed upon pensions to retired 9) industrial safety norms for construction and factory workers and others Urban teachers will go on strike beginning May 2, in support of the COB's demands. Health workers throughout the nation participate in a 24-hour strike today to protest the shift of health administration from the central to municipal governments. They complain that municipal governments do not have adequate funds or experience in this area. Yesterday (April 26), retired pensioners threatened to begin a hunger strike to protest the government's failure to comply with an agreement signed last to increase pensions to approximately 130 dollars (US). Congress has yet to sign this agreement to allow payment. Union leaders in Epizana, on the old road to Santa Cruz have also threatened to cut off this alternative route. Member of the Colonizers Confederation in the Santa Cruz rural are have threatened to join blockades because the government has not honored agreements signed in October. Debtors groups protested today in La Paz as well. 24 HOUR STRIKES LED BY CIVIC COMMITTEES Potosi Wednesday, April 25 Tarija Thursday, April 26 Oruro, Friday, April 27 For more information please contact paz@albatros.cnb.net or kledebur@albatros.cnb.net END |