Editorial
Genuine agrarian counter-reform in Colombia: That is how many analysts describe what has been happening in the Colombian countryside in recent decades. A few official statistics are enough to show the extent of the problem. In 1984, 32.7% of the country’s cultivable area was concentrated in the hands of 0.5% of landowners; in 1996, 0.4% of landowners held 44.6% of this area (1); and, currently, 0.43% of them own 62,91% of cultivable land. In contrast, 57.87% of landowners own barely 1.66% of the land.
Colombia in Europe
European NGOs prepare for the Spanish Presidency of the EU: OIDHACO held its general assembly in Madrid on 24 and 25 November, and took the opportunity to have a meeting with the Secretary of State for Latin America, Juan Pablo de Laiglesia and with representatives of civil society movements.
News from Colombia
More violent acts committed by the paramilitaries than by the guerrillas: The Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris (New Rainbow Corporation) has stated that since 2008 there have been more operations by the paramilitaries than by the FARC and that at the beginning of 2009 they were double those of the guerrillas. The report has had a hostile reception from the government which refuses to accept criticism of its democratic security policy. The organisation’s director has referred to the government’s reaction to the report. Reactions of the director of the Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris.
Español
ONG europeas se preparan para presidencia española de la UE: La Oidhaco realizó su asamblea general en Madrid el pasado 24 y 25 de noviembre. Esta fue la ocasión para sostener una reunión con el Secretario de Estado para Iberoamérica, Juan Pablo de Laiglesia y con representantes de los movimientos de la sociedad civil.
