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TITLE: The March Continues, Tentions Increase In The Chapare |
AUTHOR: |
DATE: April 20, 2001 |
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Yesterday, participants in the March for Life and Sovereignty, following differing routes, reached Patacamaya (101 kms from La Paz) without government intervention. They are expected to reach Ayo Ayo, 75 km from the capital, later today. The different columns of marchers and the group from the La Paz Yungas plan to meet in Achico Grande on Sunday . Human rights workers fear possible government intervention there to impede the marchers' access to La Paz on Monday, April 23. LEGAL RECOURSES TO PROTECT MARCHERS REJECTED In an attempt to protect marchers from further detentions and to respect their constitutional right to protest and march, human rights organization filed two Habeas Corpus requests. An Oruro court rejected the petition filed by the Bolivian Permanent Human Rights Assembly (APDH). The court ruling rejected the request based on the claim that it was politically motivated. The Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, led by Ana Maria Romero de Campero presented a similar Constitutional Recourse (amparo constitucional) in La Paz today. The court refused the petition cited that the march threatens the safety of the citizens of La Paz and the Bolivian government. Even before the La Paz court decision, Minister of Government, Guillermo Fortun, stated that the government will not respect this request and will continue to intervene the march. This suggests a marked influence of the Bolivian Ministry of Government over the Bolivian judiciary. Both court decisions are unconstitutional. Bolivian Security officials could interpret the court decisions as a green light to intervene in and detain marchers and protesters, in an undeclared state of emergency (estado de sitio), seriously weakening the Bolivian democracy. Furthermore, the rejection of these petitions creates a dangerous precedent threatening all citizens' right to any future peaceful protest. Bolivian government officials have stated that if road blockades begin they will call a state of emergency. HEIGHTENED TENSIONS IN THE CHAPARE On Wednesday, April 18, shots were fired at the Isinuta Military Camp from a nearby hillside. Bolivian government officials denounced that a military eradication camp in Valle Hermoso, Parque Isiboro Secure was also fired upon. AIN has so far not been able to confirm this de nunciation. At about 6 pm, the same day two military were shot in Sillarcito, near Eterazama. Richard Choque and Jose Jaime Revollo were returning from a high school civic event. Revollo was shot in the shoulder , and may suffer from lung damage. Choque was shot in the arm. Both are in stable condition. This incident could give impetus to repression in the Chapare. General Remy Ramírez, current commander of the 7th division stated, "We have to respond with violence, we can't let them kill our soldiers." At this time, combined security forces continuously patrol the Chapare region. Coca Grower Self-Defense committees are stationed at coca markets and other strategic areas. Coca Grower representatives state the road blockades in the region will most likely begin on or soon after April 25, depending on decisions made by the different social sectors involved in the March for Life and Sovereignty. DIVERSE SOCIAL SECTORS Different social sectors continue to express their discontent with the economic crisis (partially generated by the rapid coca eradication to meet U.S. anti-drug certification requirements) and the government's inability to meet the needs of its population. Yesterday retired pensioners, primarily ex-miners, marched in Cochabamba to demand payment of the approximately 70 dollar monthly pension agreed to by the government last month. They have stated that if their demands are not met they will join the March for Life and Sovereignty. Debtors groups continue to protest throughout the nation, as the current economic crisis has not allowed them to pay interest rates 20 % or higher and exorbitant fines for late payment. On Wednesday, in La Paz debtors protested angrily in front of La Paz banks. These groups also plan to join the march. The Bolivian Workers' Union (COB) is in dialogue with the government. In spite of this they have expressed their support for the march. Health workers signed an agreement with the government on April 19. The march from the La Paz Yungas continues. Some sectors of coca growers from the region, continue to negotiate with the government while others reject this possibility and support the march. MALLKU Internal divisions continue to plague the Bolivian campesino movement. Felipe Quispe Huanca, El Mallku, leader of the Bolivian Campesino Confederation (CSUTCB) makes diverse statements to the press. On April 17, threatened to kick the K'aras, whites out, of the government and install an indigenous government. He has also threatened to lay siege to La Paz for 90 days. Although he had consistently criticized the March for Life and Sovereignty, he expressed his public support for coca grower leader Evo Morales and the march yesterday. The CSUTCB had announced that it would begin blocking the highways on May 1st, but stated yesterday that the blockades may be postponed to until after the harvest season. The CSUTCB continues to meet to determine new leadership and future measures. At this time its role in the social conflict is unpredictable. SHOW OF SOLIDARITY IN NEW ZEALAND TheWater Pressure in Auckland is holding a solidarity action outside the Bolivian Consulate on Monday April 23. The Andean Information Network is grateful for the messages of support we have received. For further information please contact: paz@albatros.cnb.net or kledebur@albatros.cnb.net
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