FLIP Demands the National Army to Clarify the Circumstances of the Murder of Reporter Abelardo Lis

The Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) rejects and mourns the murder of Abelardo Lis, a reporter from Nación Nasa indigenous radio station in the municipality of Corinto, who was covering a demonstration of indigenous peoples in the north of Cauca department. FLIP requests the authorities to investigate those responsible for these criminals acts to issue the appropriate punishments.  

On August 13, the indigenous communicator received bullet shots in the chest and abdomen while covering the process of ‘liberation of mother earth’ advanced by the indigenous peoples in El Barranco village of the municipality of Corinto, in the north of Cauca department. The attack occurred amid the operation carried out by the National Army to evict the indigenous communities of Granadita and Gracia Arriba estates. Two more people in the community were injured. 

Reporters who are part of the Fabric of Communications for Truth and Life of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of North Cauca (ACIN in Spanish), who were also covering the public demonstration, told FLIP that the shots came from the sector in which the members of the National Army were located. In addition, the communicators reported that members of the institution impeded the passage of the van where members of the same indigenous community attempted to transport the three injured persons. FLIP was informed that the communicator died while being transferred to Corinto hospital.

The Association of Indigenous Peoples of North Cauca has denounced in a statement that they have been the victims of attacks on their lives and integrity by riot police (ESMAD in Spanish), mounted police and army officers since the 12th of August.

The Foundation for Press Freedom rejects the press release of the National Army, issued on the 13th of August, in which the impacts on civil society in the middle of the operation are disregarded, and the causes of the death of Abelardo Lis are not clarified. In this regard, FLIP expresses its concern at the military's remarks against indigenous communities, against whom it makes responsible for the alleged attacks on the law enforcement personnel to justify its disproportionate military actions, which in this case compromised the lives of three people, Including that of Abelardo Lis. 

FLIP demands the National Army to investigate these events promptly to clarify the circumstances of the death of the indigenous communicator, and to determine the responsibility of the officers in charge of the operation in these events. The Foundation asks the institution to give precise instructions on the fulfillment of its duty as guarantors of press freedom in this type of scenarios, where the presence of press teams is a guarantee of transparency around military operations.

The Foundation for Press Freedom calls on the Attorney General's Office of the Nation to start a disciplinary investigation into the procedures advanced by members of the law enforcement personnel in these operations, and to follow up on the investigations that are carried out inside the National Army. FLIP also requests the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate community complaints in order to advance relevant actions to ensure respect for human rights of those involved in the protest actions and those who make information coverage of these events. 

Finally, FLIP deeply regrets these events and sends a message of solidarity to the family of Abelardo Lis and to the entire indigenous community of Cauca department.