Our report We’re only asking for what is ours was launched this morning in a press conference. The Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous communities each designated three people to speak to the press – as part of a panel and in subsequent interviews.
Even without knowing any Guaraní we could understand the power of their words and the passion with which they voiced their demands to the public. We did our best to make sure that the community representatives were the protagonists of the day, although sadly it was difficult to convince many local journalists that they should interview them directly.
Continue reading ‘Still asking for what is theirs…’
People from the Sawhoyamaxa community taking part in a workshop with Amnesty International, Kilómetro 16, Paraguay, 27 November 2008. ©Amnesty International
Last night, we met with over 30 members of the communities who had just arrived in Asunción for the launch of our campaign.
It was motivating to remind ourselves why we were here – to support their campaign for the realisation of their rights – yet frustrating that our presence is even necessary. These communities have been demanding the return of their land through all available legal means for over 15 years, and despite all of their efforts and the support of other organizations, remain living in precarious conditions at the side of the road.
Throughout this campaign, we have sought to reflect the communities’ demands truthfully. During a meeting last night, we first presented our short report to the communities, translated into Guarani. We are also producing a radio version of the report to help them, and other Indigenous communities, to raise awareness about their situation.
Continue reading ‘Making sure the Paraguayan authorities feel the full force of support’
Comunidad Indigena Yakye Axa ©Amnesty International
We are here in Paraguay to launch our campaign for the rights of the Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous communities to their traditional land, in line with two binding judgements from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. We are calling upon the Paraguayan State to demonstrate its commitment to these communities and comply with these overdue rulings.
Our delegation received an affectionate welcome from President Fernando Lugo on Friday when we went to inform him of our campaign launch on Tuesday 31 March. We handed him a copy of the short report we will be launching with the Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa indigenous communities, “We’re only asking for what is ours”. We also presented the President with a petition of over 3,000 signatures collected over the last two months from 54 countries.
Continue reading ‘Campaigning in Paraguay for Indigenous communities’ rights to their traditional land’
Below, some of the reactions of two representatives of the Indigenous Community of Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa. They participated in a workshop organized by Amnesty International and Civicus and told their story to participants.
Albino Gomez, Yakye Axa:
“What I liked most today was the participation of many people in the workshops and I am really happy with their interest in our case. They have also signed a petition to the Government of Paraguay requesting our ancestral lands back.
Continue reading ‘WSF2009: “The solidarity will help us a lot”’
