Sample letter:
A violent eviction has been ordered against the U'wa indigenous people

June, 27th 2000

Your Excellency,

We are deeply moved and distressed by the results of the violent eviction that has been ordered against the Uwa indigenous people. We want to express our support to this community in their courageous struggle for dignity and life.

According to reports, the security forces of your government undertook a violent eviction against this community in the early hours of Saturday June 24th, action which continued throughout the whole weekend, until Monday the 26th, which was a religious holiday in Colombia.

Since the 22nd of May the Uwas have maintained a peaceful blockade on the road that leads to the State of Santander, in a place called "Soberanía". This protest is another act in their continuos struggle against the drilling plan initiated by the OXY multinational Oil Company in their territory.

This blockade is a way in which the Uwas are trying to call public attention to the serious threat proposed by oil exploitation on their cultural survival and the preservation of the natural ecosystems of the region.

Finally, we want to highlight that according to Colombian legal procedures, this case has not been resolved, and accordingly we plead and appeal to your government that their way of life and the constitutional indigenous rights of the Uwa community are respected.

Yours sincerely,

Sr. Andrés Pastrana
Presidente Constitucional de Colombia
Palacio de Nariño Santafé de Bogotá
Fax: 571 562 9300 / 571 336 2109
e-mail: pastrana@presidencia.gov.co