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Ecuador protests Colombia Before the O.A.S.


Patricio Carrera
Especial para Washington's Voz
08/19/05

The fumigations made by the Colombian Air Force to eradicate narcotic plants throughout the border with Ecuador motivated the protest of doctor Claudio Mueckay Arcos, recently named People's Defender by the Congress of the Andean country who filed the complaint before the Inter-American Commission of Human rights at the O.A.S. in Washington DC.

According to the civil employee, the fumigations failed to protect the environment at the bordering zone and the people who inhabit the region, which has caused them injuries, as well as the death of plants and animals, earth contamination, affecting the fundamental rights to health, and work.

The fumigations began in 2000 like part of the so called Colombia Plan in the area of Putumayo, where the borders cover the Ecuadorian provinces of Emeraldas, Carchi and Sucumbíos, the last one of which is badly affected according to a study made by the Catholic University of Ecuador.

The material used to kill the cocaine, poppy and marijuana, is composed of cosmoflux, fusarium oxiporum and POAE that conform the Round Extreme Up that according to Ecuador has been fatal.

The People's Defender indicated that it is necessary to determine all the impacts of that practice that has been coming for 5 years, to deepen in the investigations and that the Colombian state signs an agreement in order that it is not fumigated to a distance of at least 10 kilometers of the zone of border in addition it said that he is urgent to execute projects that foment the development, the health and conservation of means atmosphere of the existing populations throughout the border cord.

The study presented/displayed by Ecuador to ground the reclamation before the O.A.S. indicates that in the 100% of the investigated cases, poisoning symptoms were stated and genetics injuries in 36% of the people, which would carry cancer problems, embryonic mutations and alterations.

In Sucumbíos in 2001, 2,560 hectares were damaged and 11,828 animals were reported death due to the aspersions of the chemical. Also, in 2002 there was a complain of skin deseases and eyes, respiratory infections similar fevers to those of malaria, and massive lost of plantations and grounds. Dr Mueckay insisted on the demand that Ecuador will initiate against Colombia He said he will request the repair of the caused damages and that all the inhabitants affected properly are taken care of.