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Fears for Colombia Indian groups
Colombia's civil conflict is posing a growing threat to the survival of some of the world's oldest and smallest indigenous groups, the UN has warned.
More than 1,700 people fled after two of their leaders were killed last week.
"All indigenous communities have close links to their ancestral land, on which their cultural survival depends," UNHCR spokesman William Spindler said.
Colombia's indigenous groups are often caught up in the conflict between government forces and left-wing rebels.
People from the Wounaan indigenous group fled their homes in the north-west region of Choco last week after two of their leaders were murdered in the space of 24 hours.
"There are fears that more assassinations could follow as other leaders have received threats," Mr Spindler said.
Displaced Wounaan who have arrived through the jungle to the town of Istmina said people were afraid of coming under attack.
The director of the UNHCR's bureau for the Americas is going to Istmina on Wednesday to meet the displaced and local authorities.
Malnourished
The UNHCR has also expressed grave concern about the fate of the Nukak indigenous people, a small group of nomadic hunters whose existence was unknown to the outside world until 1988.
Last week, 77 Nukaks arrived in the town of San Jose del Guaviare in the south-eastern department of Guaviare.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4876996.stm
"All indigenous communities have close links to their ancestral land, on which their cultural survival depends," UNHCR spokesman William Spindler said.
Colombia's indigenous groups are often caught up in the conflict between government forces and left-wing rebels.
People from the Wounaan indigenous group fled their homes in the north-west region of Choco last week after two of their leaders were murdered in the space of 24 hours.
"There are fears that more assassinations could follow as other leaders have received threats," Mr Spindler said.
Displaced Wounaan who have arrived through the jungle to the town of Istmina said people were afraid of coming under attack.
The director of the UNHCR's bureau for the Americas is going to Istmina on Wednesday to meet the displaced and local authorities.
Malnourished
The UNHCR has also expressed grave concern about the fate of the Nukak indigenous people, a small group of nomadic hunters whose existence was unknown to the outside world until 1988.
Last week, 77 Nukaks arrived in the town of San Jose del Guaviare in the south-eastern department of Guaviare.
More
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4876996.stm
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