The Oidhaco General Assembly calls for guarantees for peaceful public demonstration in light of the Social and Community March in South-Western Colombia for the defence of life, territory, democracy and peace (La Minga), set to take place on 10 October 20

On 7 and 8 October 2020, the Oidhaco network of 35 European and international organisations working for the defence of human rights and peace in Colombia, held its General Assembly. We learned that indigenous people are planning to hold a public demonstration known as a Minga starting on 10 October. Due to past experiences, we would like to express our concerns about the risk of violent repression by the state security forces against the protesters. The General Assembly would like to call for respect for all the rights related to freedom of expression and peaceful public demonstration[1] during the protests planned for this Saturday 10 October, known as the Social and Community March in South-Western Colombia, for the defence of life, territory, democracy and peace (La Minga).