COLOMBIA: EMBERA TRIBE BLOCK NEW DAM

Описание: (26 Apr 2000) Spanish/Nat

Members of an indigenous tribe in Colombia have reached an agreement with the government after four months of protesting in the capital Bogota.

The indigenous community of the Embera has been trying to block the construction of a dam, citing the environmental impact on their lands.

Now they've reached an agreement and will be heading home on Wednesday.

For two decades the Embera indigenous community of northwest Colombia have tried to stop the government from building a hydroelectric facility on their land.

One dam was built, but in 1998 a Colombian court ruled that Urra, the consortium responsible for the construction of the dam had to consult the Embera community before proceeding with a second dam.

Now they have reached an agreement with the government to stop the project aimed at bolstering the energy output of northwest Colombia.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We agreed with the government in matters of territory and environment although we have not finished talking about the benefits."
SUPER CAPTION: Kimmi Pernia, Indigenous Leader

For the past four months, more than 160 Embera Indians sheltered in makeshift tents outside the ministry of the environment as part of their protest.

Now they are going home to northwest Colombia.

The government has promised to give the Indians three thousand hectares of land.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...