dominion, n. 1. Control or the exercise of control. 2. A territory or sphere of influence; a realm. 3. A self-governing nation in the British Commonwealth.

Thenews from Dominion the grassroots www.dominionpaper.ca • February 2008 • Issue #49

Colombia Feminist Porn Palestine Religion & Gender Oaxaca The Belize Precedent

$0 to $5 Sliding scale Independent Journalism depends on independent people. Please subscribe. dominionpaper.ca/subscribe 2 In Review: January and February The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 K i t c h e n u h m a y k o o s i b was attended by Liberal foreign couver’s University of British Abdelkader Belaouni, a Inninuwug (KI)–aka “Big affairs critic Bob Rae, as well as Columbia (UBC) campus. The 40-year old blind Algerian Trout Lake”–Chief Donny Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow. group released a communiqué, refugee who has been living Morris announced that he is Similar rallies and actions taking credit for the actions in sanctuary in St. Gabriel’s ready to go to jail to defend were held in 11 cities across the and opposing commercial and Church for over two years. his community’s sovereignty. country. Days before, a rally of Olympic-related developments Solidarity pickets and embassy “I’m prepared to give myself 50 Iraq veterans gathered at the that resulted in the destruction visits were also held in most up if the court decides I’ve dis- Canadian Embassy in Washing- of public space on campus. The major cities across Canada and respected the November ruling ton urging the Canadian gov- action comes in the context of an in several cities internationally, to allow Platinex on our land. ernment to provide sanctuary ongoing campaign by Students including Tokyo, New York, I’m prepared to acknowledge Beirut, Paris, Durban, and that,” Morris stated in a press London. Belaouni’s supporters release. Two years ago Ontario- were demanding that federal based mining company Platinex Minister of Immigration Diane sued the KI First Nation for $10 Finley grant a stay of the depor- billion for preventing mining on tation order, and grant him their land in the far northwest permanent resident status in of Ontario. In November Canada. Belaouni fled Algeria’s 2007, KI withdrew from the brutal civil war in 1996, arriving legal proceedings, citing over first in the United States. He $600,000 in debt accumulated came to Montreal in 2003 while fighting the province and and applied for refugee status. Platinex. Morris’ contempt of His application was rejected court charges stemmed from an by Immigration and Refugee encounter with Platinex, where Board judge Laurier Thibault, the chief escorted officials from who had close to a 100% the company back to their plane, rejection rate amongst refugee and threatened to file trespass- claimants. Belaouni entered ing charges if they came back. sanctuary in early 2006, and Observers expect the people of has since received international the remote fly-in community support for his case, including to continue to resist attempts from Laibar Singh, currently in by Platinex to mine their lands. sanctuary in Vancouver. Said Future resistance, however, Singh in a statement issued is unlikely to be undertaken days before the solidarity through the courts. march: “The Canadian govern- ment says it raises its voice for Six Nations leaders have the less fortunate around the put towns and cities along the world but if it can’t see us, who Grand River on notice that the can it see?” land still belongs to the people of Six Nations. The stretch Solomon Islands Prime The borders of the Lakota nation, once withdrawn from treaties, of land, which extends from Minister Derek Sikua affirmed would be demarcated by the Missouri River on the northeast, the Lake Erie to the area lying to his full support of the Austra- North Platte River to the south, and the Yellowstone River to the west. the northwest of Toronto, was lian-dominated occupation granted to the Six Nations Con- to all military service personnel for a Democratic Society UBC force, known as RAMSI. The federacy in the 1784 Haldimand looking to escape deploy- (SDS-UBC) to prevent further force, consisting of over 2,000 Proclamation. “There’s no more ments with the US military. privatization of public spaces soldiers, along with bureau- of this sweeping it under the In November the Canadian on the UBC campus. SDS-UBC crats and “advisors,” who took rug. It’s not OK to steal land Supreme Court refused to says the University’s develop- effective control of much of anymore and we’re going to hear the cases of Hinzman and ment plan’s purpose “is to the Islands’ state apparatus, make people aware of that,” one Hughey, on the grounds that make the centre of campus including prisons, police, courts, representative told the CBC. they had previously been turned a corporate/private space to public service, and central bank. down by the Canadian Immigra- which students only have access Critics called the move a “neo- Three hundred supporters of tion and Refugee Board, which as customers or condo owners/ colonial” effort to “safeguard Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon considered the illegality of the renters.” SDS-UBC is orga- Australian corporate interests Hughey, the first two war Iraq war under international nizing a conference in March and maintain its regional domi- resisters to cross into Canada law inadmissible. There are at entitled “Resisting the Univer- nation.” Former Prime Minister after refusing to deploy to least 30 war resisters in Canada sity,” which will address “priva- Manasseh Sogavare had Iraq with the US military, at the moment. tization and commodification of angered Australian diplomats gathered in Toronto calling education.” when he moved to roll back upon the Canadian parliament A group calling itself the some of RAMSI’s powers over to pass a motion allowing them Wreath Underground Hundreds rallied and marched spending and pave the way for to remain in Canada. The rally vandalized buildings on Van- in Montreal in support of an eventual withdrawal. He was The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 In Review: January and February 3 ousted in a parliamentary vote, of poor and homeless. communities and environmen- and replaced with a Sikua-led Security Certificate detainee tal degradation. Human rights coalition, which has been A recent report estimated that Mohammed Harkat was lawyers contend that the mere enthusiastically current pro- between 8,000 and 15,500 seized, then released again by purchase of the mining conces- occupation. British Columbia residents are Police and Canadian Border sion is in breach of community “absolutely homeless,” while Services agents. Widely members’ rights, and Ecuador’s Despite Canada’s official stance an estimated 39,000 are “inad- referred to in media reports as constitution. of non-participation in the equately housed.” BC Forest and a “terrorism suspect” Harkat » continued on page 16 invasion of Iraq, another Housing Minister Rich Coleman is being held without charges Canadian general has been sent had previously estimated the under Bill C-3, “anti-terror- to work with the command group number of homeless at roughly ism” legislation passed after overseeing the US-led occupa- 5,000. September 11, 2001. “I think For links to sources and tion and counterinsurgency it’s a political move,” Sophie more reading, visit war. Brigadier-General Nicolas A Canadian Security Intel- Harkat told the Ottawa Citizen www.dominionpaper.ca Matern of the Special Forces is ligence Service (CSIS) report in an interview, adding that the the third Canadian general to warned of the possibility of government seeks to “stir fear” serve in the command group, “violent protests” during the in the leadup to a vote over bill ~ ISSN 1710-0283 ~ as part of an inter-military Olympic Games in 2010. The C-3. If the government does not www.dominionpaper.ca exchange program. According heavily-censored public version vote to renew Bill C-3 before the [email protected] to a report from the US State of the report has raised concerns end of March, existing security PO Box 741 Station H Dept., “the governments of about “how far CSIS will go.” certificates–including the one Montréal, QC H3G 2M7 the United States and Canada “We’re more than a little worried under which Harkat is being The Dominion is a pan-Canadian media network that seeks to collaborated on a broad array about the potential for infiltra- held–will be struck down, in provide a counterpoint to the of initiatives, exercises, and tion of non-profit societies and keeping with a Supreme Court corporate media and direct joint operations that spanned legitimate protest groups,” a ruling that found the legislation attention to independent critics virtually all agencies and every representative of the BC Civil unconstitutional. and the work of social movements. level of government.” Liberties Association told the The Dominion is published Canadian Press. The Anti-Pov- Alberta tar sands giant Suncor monthly in print and on the web. An anti-Olympics speaking erty Committee (APC) is one of has given final approval for Publisher tour visited 18 cities and Indig- the groups targeted by police a plan to increase output by The Dominion enous communities, calling and intelligence agencies. APC 200,000 barrels per day in a Newspaper Society attention to destruction caused representative Mary Claremont $20 billion expansion project. Editor by development fuelled by the said, “This is what we have The company says that the Dru Oja Jay Olympics. “There is an infra- been protesting... the coming increase is part of a plan to Managing Editor structure being created for 2010 Olympic police state. People double the company’s output that will result in the further thought we were nuts, but look, to 550,000 barrels per day by Stuart Neatby destruction of mountains and from 40 kilometers of electric 2012. Planning Coordinator valleys that are traditionally fence, surveillance cameras, Hillary Lindsay Salish, St’at’imc, and Squamish civil city, CSIS... it’s here.” Energy company TransCanada Volunteer Coordinator territory,” said Dustin Johnson. has moved forward with plans Moira Peters Resistance to “Sun Peaks” devel- A group of academics and media to build a natural gas pipeline Arts Editor opment on Secwepemc lands, watch groups filed a complaint across unceded territory Michelle Tarnopolsky one of many areas affected by with the Canadian Radio- belonging to the Lubicon Original Peoples Editor the Olympics, extends back a television and Telecommuni- Cree. In a letter to TransCan- Kim Petersen decade. There have been dozens cations Commission (CRTC), ada, Lubicon legal counsel F. of arrests, and government-su- alleging that media coverage M. Lennarson wrote that the Agriculture Editor pervised destruction of a house of the attempted deportation “response of the Lubicon people Hillary Lindsay and two traditional sweatlodges. of Laibar Singh was “not is that they are the aboriginal Environment Editor Johnson and Kanahus Pellkey accurate... or comprehensive”. owners of the land that Tran- Yuill Herbert of the Native Youth Movement CBC TV, CBC Radio, CKNW, sCanada wishes to violate with Review Editor are calling for direct action to CTV, and Global TV are cited in this huge new pipeline.” The Linda Besner shut down the Olympic Games. the complaint, which states that pipeline will transport natural Gender Editor Singh was falsely said to have gas to the tar sands, allowing Anna Carastathis Itchy the Bedbug, Creepy the come to Canada “illegally” or for expanded tar sands process- Rédacteur français Cockroach and Chewy the Rat that he “was illegal” in Canada ing capacity. will be the official mascots prior to taking sanctuary. The Vivien Jaboeuf of Vancouver’s Poverty complaint says that repetition of Ecuadorian officials revoked a Chief Copy Editor Olympics. Organizers, who falsities despite widely available total of 587 mining concessions Ross Lockhart hope to draw attention to Van- accurate information “fuelled effectively cancelling Canadian- Copy Editors couver’s “world class poverty,” ignorance in the public sphere based Ascendant Copper’s Moira Peters decried the lack of funding for and has negatively influenced bid to the controversial Junin Contributing Illustrator social housing and the devastat- perceptions of Mr. Laibar Project. The transnational Sylvia Nickerson ing effect of rapid gentrification Singh and all asylum seekers to corporation is under intense on Vancouver’s vast population Canada.” scrutiny for impacts on local 4 Arts The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Equal Porn for All The 2007 Feminist Porn Awards by Max Liboiron

This past June, the second annual Feminist Porn Awards took place at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, reminding the public that the porn industry has a creative side beyond main- stream expectations. Chanelle Gallant, the manager of Good For Her, a feminist and trans- friendly Toronto workshop centre and sex boutique, spear- headed The Emmas (named after iconic feminist-anarchist Emma Goldman). “We created [the awards] in response to the difficulty we had communicat- ing to our distributors what we wanted when requesting videos that represented actors of color,” explains Gallant. They weren’t looking for films that portrayed minority actors as sexually fetishized objects of desire, which is what they were getting. Contemporary feminism works to privilege the agency and, in this case, the viable and nuanced sexu- alities of marginalized groups. The staff members at Good For Her were frustrated over A poster promoting last June’s 2007 Feminist Porn Awards their inability to point their customers to a decent variety of is difficult. If an enterprising substantially involved behind the award ceremonies. Gallant “sensitive” queer, transgender, viewer wants to research made- the scenes. Two: the film must hopes the annual event will help ethnic and even mainstream by-women-for-women porn on promote and represent genuine foster such a community, or at porn. So in an effort to track her own, for example, productive female pleasure. Three: the film least collaborations between down and promote the pornog- information is hard to come by. must expand on the tradition- filmmakers. raphy with positive representa- Just try googling “good porn.” ally accepted range of women’s For the second annual tions of sexuality, gender, body A viewer has little choice but sexual expression. Emmas, the selections came type and ethnicity that they to muddle through the publicly As for the opposite of mainly from Good for Her’s knew must be out there, they available options, which tend to feminist pornography, “any film stock, since the store actively inaugurated the Feminist Porn be an education in restriction made with female coercion” seeks pornography that rep- Awards. and subjugated gender roles would qualify, says Gallant. She resents minorities without By holding pornography up rather than a representation stresses that feminist porn is exoticizing them. Gallant says to certain standards of artistic of creative, sensitive, joyful, or not a genre. You can’t identify they may post an open call for and representational integrity, empowering sexuality. it by pointing to certain aspects submissions in the future. The The Emmas spotlight it as a Fuelled by the need to of storyline, sexual content, or members of Good For Her’s form of contemporary cultural establish a standard of ethical its status as soft or hardcore. staff, from the cashiers to the production. Because the porn representations of women Feminist porn does not look like manager, served as the judges. industry is usually an invisible and other minorities in porn, something in particular; it acts The store’s holistic and unpublicized system— Gallant came up with three like something in particular. approach to sexuality also that nevertheless fulfils the criteria for feminist pornog- Because of this, there really is extends beyond its selection of demand of a large, generally raphy. A film has to meet at no “feminist porn community,” pornography. Not only does it un-polled audience—feedback least two to be eligible for The and the filmmakers met each offer transgender and women- between producers and viewers Emmas. One: women have to be other for the first time during » continued on page 18

Arts Editor: Michelle Tarnopolsky, [email protected] The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Review 5 The premise is appealing: little brother) in the detailed with an epitaph from Gilgamesh, the members of the Lacuna account of two members of the to Fall on Your Knees, which Cabal Montreal Young Women’s Cabal. Because of this meta-fic- examines the bond between Book Club will act out The Epic tional approach, the characters sisters, this story’s construc- of Gilgamesh. Not everyone who seem real and unreal, mature tion may be too ambitious. The takes part is aware they’ve been and immature. A quest, a parody, dualities add up to this human given a role. And there’s a robot a mildly funny commentary on notion: “If you happen to walk involved. CanLit, as well as an earnest past a room full of people in What happens when the work of fiction, the book hovers mourning, you should probably Luna Cabal attempt to re-enact between story and literary feat. join them because they’re The Girls Who Saw Everything this epic poem is set alongside Though Dixom draws clever probably lonely.” Sean Dixon Runner Coghill’s story (parents parallels, from mentions of In Coach House, 2007 and twin sister dead, surviving the Skin of a Lion, which begins —Sheryda Warrener

The opening chapters of of her grandfather’s failed with the broader history of the Kate Barlow’s memoir read utopia, a messianic cult. Barlow’s cult. The information, however, deceptively like C.S. Lewis. There childhood home was also know as is laid out in snatches that the are rich descriptions of aged “Agapemone,” an abode of love reader slowly pieces together, as aunts and childhood hijinx— where aristocrats could await did Barlow herself. It’s a clever climbing roofs and pilfering the resurrection, having relin- device, but it sometimes slows through drawers. You half quished their possessions to the the pace unnecessarily. The level expect the bored protagonist, on group coffers. Scandals emerged of analysis is faithful to Barlow’s holiday from boarding school, to when Barlow’s grandfather, who age at the time, but this means a stumble across an old wardrobe. claimed to be a Messiah, took a more adult critical examination Abode of Love: Growing Up There certainly is a closet in the “spiritual wife,” in addition to is occasionally lacking. household, but instead of Narnia, his legal spouse. Barlow skillfully in a Messianic Cult Barlow discovers the remnants juxtaposes slices of family life —Claire Tacon Kate Barlow Gooselane, 2006.

O Cadoiro is a book of love the “fount” of Moure’s invention. English. Throughout, she calls on poetry. Hard love. The unrequit- In this book, she is consumed by the reader to witness her failure— ed kind. Moure writes, “I want to language’s failure to articulate which, it seems, is the point. She speak no ill of love / becomes I am emotional experience, by “... writes, “Where the lyric fails me, rightly afraid of it.” Further, she the nub of lyric poetry: that one the poem.” And asks: “Can you writes, “(my heart missing you / thing can stand for another. Not follow me in the markings we call its own beast loses heart).” The as metaphor...but that concrete / words through such liquidity?” poems in O Cadoiro are based experience can distill to ‘mere In O Cadoiro, Erín Moure tells on medieval Iberian lyric. Often figure’ or ‘basal significant’.” reader to suspend their disbelief, they are presented as transla- Moure tries formal structure, for, as she writes, “though poems tions of Galician and Portuguese lists, concrete poetry. She mixes recuperate, they do not solve.” O Cadoiro songs, but they are very much French, Galician, Portuguese, —Ben Hart Erín Moure House of Anansi, 2007

This new collection of poems Murray rhymes ‘utmost’ with unfamiliar with sonnets might from George Murray contains ‘paramount,’ ‘receive’ with still be enthralled. In terms of something truly new; he has ‘tuned’ (think radios), ‘signal’ subject matter, Murray covers a written a series of sonnets using with ‘pulse,’ ‘light’ with ‘dawn,’ lot of ground–from reflections an entirely novel kind of rhyme. ‘time’ with ‘ancestor,’ ‘does’ with on parenthood to the implica- It sounds unlikely, but the results ‘execute,’ and ‘rage’ with ‘blaze.’ tions of quantum physics, from more than justify the flouting While some writers might be the sex lives of the Devil and the of convention. The rhymes are tempted to let the innovation Greek gods to the annoyance of sometimes based on sound (as carry the collection, hoping home renovations. The Rush to in homophones), but more often for an audience enamoured of Here is worth rushing out for. centered around meaning–syn- formal poetry, Murray takes the —Matthew J. Trafford The Rush to Here onyms, antonyms, association, time to craft each poem into George Murray etc. To illustrate from a randomly something thought-provoking Nightwood Editions, 2007 chosen sonnet, “Lullaby”: and beautiful, so that a reader

Review Editor: Linda Besner, [email protected] 6 Original Peoples The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Indigenous Rights and the Mayan Victory in Belize Implications for Indigenous Title Rights in Canada by Kim Petersen on Mayan land. Although the Canadian gov- On 18 October 2007, the ernment–along with Aotearoa Supreme Court of Belize ruled (New Zealand), Australia, and in Cal v. Attorney General the United States–rejected the that the national government DRIP, law students and faculty must recognize the indigenous from the University of Toronto Mayans’ customary tenure had a hand in Cal v. Attorney to land and refrain from any General. The UT group worked act that might prejudice their on behalf of the Mayan farmers use or enjoyment of this land. researching, gathering evidence, The landmark Supreme Court and considering external com- ruling which recognizes the parative law. Toronto lawyer rights of Indigenous Peoples to Paul Schabas also contributed their land was a great victory for his expertise pro bono to the Mayan communities in Belize. Mayan case in 2006. The decision is the first UT Faculty of Law Dean judgment rendered with Mayo Moran gushed, “The reference to United Nations faculty of law is proud of the Declaration on the Rights of extraordinary commitment Indigenous Peoples (DRIP), that faculty, students, and A decision by Belize's highest court recently reaffirmed indigenous adopted on 13 September 2007 our law firm partner, Blakes, rights to land they inhabit. by the UN General Assembly. have made to this case … The As such, the Belizean Supreme are doomed to fail to establish resources, and environment. Supreme Court of Belize will Court judgement could have a stable land-tenure regime” While agreeing the DRIP now have the opportunity to legal repercussions abroad. because the Mayan lifestyle is non-binding, Conteh argued set an important precedent in In 2001, the Belize gov- “requires access to a variety that principles of general inter- the area of indigenous rights of ernment began giving rights to of land types in order to grow national law contained in the the Maya of Belize and U of T’s logging, oil, and hydro-electric and gather all the crops and declaration should be respected. Human Rights Clinic will play concerns on traditional Mayan resources they need to survive Moreover, he noted, the DRIP an important role in the court’s lands, denying Mayan farmers in any given year.” was adopted by an “over- deliberations.” access to their ancestral land. Conteh held that Mayan whelming number” of states Also involved were the The Chief Justice of Belize, rights to occupy their lands, thus reflecting “the growing faculty and law students at Abdulai Conteh, stated that farm, hunt and fish pre-date consensus and the general prin- the University of Arizona. The British colonial and subsequent European colonization and ciples of international law on UA law professors held that acquisition of land in Belize did remain in force today. Conteh indigenous peoples and their landmark case would probably not abrogate the Mayan people’s noted, “[A] mere change in lands and resources.” aid the cause of indigenous primordial rights to their land. sovereignty does not extin- Conteh focused on Article peoples elsewhere. In his judgement, Conteh guish native title to land. … 26-1 of DRIP, which states: UA College of Law Dean upheld that “the Maya people Extinguishment or rights to “Indigenous peoples have the Toni Massaro, like her UT live, farm, hunt and fish; collect or interests in land is not to be right to the lands, territories counterpart was proud of UA’s medicinal plants, construc- lightly inferred.” and resources which they have connection to Cal v. Attorney tion materials and other forest Referring to Delgamuukw traditionally owned, occupied General. Massaro said: resources; and engage in cer- v British Columbia, Conteh or otherwise used or acquired.” “Ideas that take root in emonies and other activities on said, “Indigenous title is now Based on this and other one place can–and often do– land within and around their correctly regarded as sui legal law and precedents, he migrate. This suit was based communities; and that these generis.” In other words, the ordered the government of on a concept of property rights practices have evolved over very fact of Original Peoples Belize to “determine, demarcate that has possible theoretical centuries from patterns of land having inhabited a land over and provide official documen- and practical implications for use and occupancy of the Maya time confers land title rights to tation of Santa Cruz’s and people across the globe, and people.” the Original Peoples. Conejo’s [two Mayan villages] here in the United States, who Conteh found the Maya In his decision, Conteh title and rights in accordance analyze property across time, had a “complex traditional set cited the Belizean Constitution with Maya customary law and across cultures, across legal of land tenure regulations.” and several international legal practices.” He also ordered systems. I expect many to take Furthermore, “all attempts to precedents that affirmed the the government to desist from notice of the Belize case in the divide up the customary village existence of Indigenous Peoples’ any logging, mining or other years ahead.” land into arbitrary-sized parcels collective rights to their land, resource exploitation projects

Original Peoples Editor: Kim Petersen, [email protected] The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Accounts 7 Fear, Impunity and State Power Colombia’s paramilitary regime and social movements by David Parker peasant leaders, Afro-Colom- bians, indigenous leaders and In August of 2007, Paola, a community members. mother, university student Paramilitary and military and teacher, received a written forces have honed a method of death threat. She is a member instilling fear and producing of the Committee for Solidar- forced displacement through- ity for Political Prisoners, a out the country. Jose Antonio group that struggles for the knows this tactic well. An Afro- rights of political prisoners in Colombian peasant, a subsis- Colombia. It is a country where tence farmer until his forced state repression has broken displacement and the theft of his the social fabric, where being lands in 1997, he and his family a human rights defender can have lived it first-hand. As we have dangerous consequences; walked through the African since 2002, there have been 955 Palm plantations in Choco, Jose assassinations committed by Antonio showed me the former the Armed Forces, the highest location of his community. Ten level of politically motivated years ago, under Operation homicide in the Western hemi- Genesis, the whole region was sphere. attacked by air, water and land, a In a country where repres- concerted military and paramil- sion of social organizations itary operation that massacred, involves selective and collective tortured, assassinated and assassinations, disappearances, forcibly displaced over 4,000 detentions and massacres, fear traditional communities living of death is part of daily life. On ancestral lifestyles. He showed the bus on the way to the Indus- me the former location of his trial University of Santander in brother’s small farm, which is Bucaramanga, Paola handed now rows of African Palm trees. me a note sent by the para- Jose Antonio pointed to military organization known as where there used to be a river “Aguilas Negras” to 11 student and said, “Over there, my organizers, accusing them of brother used to fish.” being linked to networks of the “He was fishing one day FARC and ELN, Colombia’s with his four children, when two largest guerrilla groups. the paramilitaries came to him. 3 military soldiers standing amid an African Palm plantation in The death threat assured their They tied his hands behind his Choco, during an armed incursion into peasant communities in recipients that their actions back, cut open his chest and 2005. Simon Bruno were being monitored and their removed his innards with their days numbered. “You and the hands. They told his children to have been 2,515 union leaders Foundation, members of the organizations you represent are leave and not to come back to assassinated. The National AUC–a former paramilitary a problem for Colombia... The this land.” Federation of Municipal organization–have invested in plan to annihilate you all will The statistics of systematic Councils (FENACOM) reports three million hectares of land, begin with the very next student violence in Colombia show the 251 council members assassi- while drug traffickers have strike.” endemic nature of the problem. nated since 1985. According to bought one million hectares. The death threat is a The Union Patriotica, a political the Colombian Commission of Seventy per cent of landown- common tactic from this party seeking a humanitar- Jurists, between 1996 and June ers are small-scale farmers who nationwide right-wing para- ian accord between the FARC 2006, 31,656 people were either possess only five per cent of total military group. Weeks ago, the and the government since killed or disappeared. Of these land area. The reality of forced local office of SINALTRAINAL, the 1990s, have suffered the massacres, 83.07% are attrib- displacement by State forces a national union of food assassination of over 5,000 uted to State forces. and the subsequent purchasing workers, received a written members. The highest rates of The Consultation of Human of large quantities of land by death threat under the front homicide of indigenous people Rights and Forced Displace- paramilitary members are facts door. Fear courses in the veins have been among the Embera ment (CODHES) has stated that demonstrate the illegal of the country; a legitimate fear, Katio, the Wayuu and the that between 1985 and 2005, appropriation of land through a well-sanctioned and reason- Kankuamo peoples, who have there were 3,720,428 citizens violent means. Meanwhile, most able fear for the safety of human suffered 234 homicides since registered as forcibly displaced. » continued on page 19 rights defenders, unionists, 1999. From 1986 to 2006, there According to the Ideas for Peace 8 Gender The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Gender, Race, and Religious Freedom The Bouchard-Taylor Commission’s Hijacking of ‘Gender Equality’ by Anna Carastathis publicly constructed identity. the hijab’ and how there needs of gender inequality ‘within’ For example, invoking a Muslim to be ‘limits to multicultural- certain religions or cultures Last November, the West identity is not about defining the ism.’ renders invisible the universal Coast LEAF (Legal Education beliefs of a person of Muslim First, it is hypocritical systems of patriarchy that all and Action Fund) issued a faith; rather, it is a euphemism to talk about Canada’s “over- women contend with, while report based on its Women’s for Arabs, Middle Easterners, tolerance” of multiculturalism homogenizing and fossilizing Equality and Religious Freedom and South Asians (who may when the very nature of the religions in definitive ways. Project (WERF). Some of the not actually be Muslim). In the debate positions racialized overarching questions that the context of the “War on Terror” immigrant communities as not In the report, I found your Project explored were “What this racialized imagery is very ‘belonging’ to Canadian society; critique of the distinction is the nature of religious dis- important, as there is a need as Outsiders” who need to be between polygamy and crimination experienced by to have an identifiable ‘enemy’ accommodated. It reveals the polyamory compelling. women of faith? What are the who is supposedly threatening shallow self-congratulatory Can you elaborate? ways in which women balance Western values. The use of such nature of Canadian multicul- and navigate the experiences of language and imagery is rooted turalism under which rests a One of the major problems discrimination and interlocking in a colonial legacy; therefore fundamentally white national with the distinction between systems of oppression in their fighting patriarchy is intrinsi- consciousness. Second, such a polygamy and polyamory is daily lives?” The report also cally linked to fighting coloniza- debate aims to portray a sense that it relies on and perpetu- addresses specific areas such as tion and racism. of victimization where Canadian ates racist assumptions. While same-sex marriage; polygamy; This is also an issue for culture is being violated by polyamory is used to define a use of religious arbitration in feminists because feminism is “Outsiders.” This process of relationship based on mutual family law; and immigration currently being, as it historically demonization, ‘othering’ and negotiation between “indepen- law. The full report can be found has been, co-opted by imperial racism that targets particular dent people,” polygamy refers here. and colonizing forces. Historian communities for greater scrutiny to a “cultural practice.” Such a The Taylor-Bouchard Leila Ahmed has written, has very real consequences in dichotomy reinforces assump- Commission on “reasonable “Whether in the hands of patriar- the present day context, being tions that women in racial- accommodation” in Québec chal men or feminists, the ideas used to sell illegal wars and ized cultures are being more has prompted a great deal of of western feminism essentially occupations across the globe, exploited and less independent commentary on the relation- functioned to morally justify and restricting the rights and than “autonomous women” ship between gender equality the attack on native societies civil liberties of migrants within from dominant white cultures. and freedom of religion. For and to support the notion of these borders. This is not to suggest that instance, the Conseil du statut the comprehensive superior- It is also problematic to talk polygamy cannot be critiqued; de la femme du Québec (CSF) ity of Europe.” An increasing about secularism in a seemingly it is to highlight this double has recommended that the number of feminists have neutral way as it ignores the standard and how such dif- Québec Charter of Rights and expressed concerns regarding foundations of Christianity ferentiations are based on Freedoms be amended so various state interventions on within the Canadian state and the premise that racialized that gender equality is given behalf of the “disempowered the violent role that Christian- cultures are inherently more relative priority over the right foreign woman”. For example, ity has played in colonizing and hostile to women. The reality to religious expression. feminists have questioned the assimilating indigenous peoples is that the practice of both In light of these develop- use of “protecting women” as for example. It is also ironic polygamy and heterosexual ments, the Dominion inter- a rationale for the occupation that many of those rejecting the polyamory exist within a global viewed Harsha Walia, who of Afghanistan. Similarly, the “authority” of religion so readily context of systemic discrimi- authored the report based on discourse surrounding human accept the authoritative ideolo- nation against women and Advisory Committee discus- trafficking taps into notions of gies of capitalism, consumer- girls. The current-day reality sions, to get an anti-racist and victimized Third World women ism, and liberal secularism, is that 99% of polygamous feminist perspective. and justifies restrictive border which are far more normalized marriages are characterized controls. in Western societies. by men having multiple wives. The Dominion: Why The most damaging con- But it is dangerous to suggest is religious freedom a What do you think sequence of this debate is that that the roots of polygamy lie feminist issue? about the discourse it removes the capacity for in ‘religious culture’ because of “reasonable women’s agency by reinforcing cultures and religions do not Harsha Walia: This is an accommodation” that has the idea that being a ‘Muslim offer homogenous narratives. important issue because the come to dominate public feminist’ for example is impos- Various conservative ideolo- “religious freedom debate” discussions in Québec? sible; forcing women to accept gies are on the rise across the actually has less to do with narrower definitions of self, globe because that is the socio- religion or secularism than it It is astounding how many despite occupying multiple political context within which does with race. Particularly in people who identify themselves locations across citizenship, we are operating. Religion can the post 911 climate, religion is a as pro-feminist are expressing religion, class, sexuality, and » continued on page 18 highly politicized, racialized, and the need to ‘save women from race. Furthermore, discussions The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Photo Essay 9

From “Refusing to Accommodate Racism,” by Tatiana Gomez. The full photo essay can be found online: www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1589

he Bouchard-Taylor Commission on “reasonable accommodations”, mandated to consult Quebeckers Ton the practice of accommodat- ing cultural differences, made its way to Montreal after a highly sensationalized tour of rural Quebec. The tour, marred by media attention that mixed issues of multicultural- ism, expressions of religious faith, the rights of women, and the alleged dangers to the French language and Quebecois identity, became a forum where the open expression of racism was normalized. As the com- mission arrived in Montreal, community groups were ready to introduce the media to a new discourse and organized to oppose the commission they deemed racist.

Top: At the door of the commission, pro- ance and injustice lived by migrants in Police charge demonstrators as they leave testers unfurled a banner that read “we will Quebec, they sought to make their voices the building, allegedly hitting participants not accommodate this racist commission”. heard. Middle from left to right: Par- with their batons. Above: A press confer- Refusing to submit to a commission that is ticipants in a demonstration organized by ence representing over 20 Montreal groups, forcing so-called minorities to justify their No One Is Illegal make their way to the united in opposition to racism, sexism, and very existence while ignoring the intoler- second floor of the Palais des Congrès; xenophobia. 10 Mining The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Canada’s Mining Continuum Resources, Community Resistance and “Development” in Oaxaca by Dawn Paley

CAPULÁLPAM DE MENDEZ, OAXACA–It is an open secret that throughout the Americas and the world, people are strug- gling against the intrusion of Canadian mining companies and their short term "get the gold and get out" strategies. The backlash against Canadian mining companies has, in some cases (particularly in Guatemala and Peru), strengthened broader social and political movements re-vindicating local control over land. In Oaxaca, Mexico, the struggle against a Vancouver based mining company is unifying an isolated Zapotec community, and bringing their struggles to state and nation- wide attention.

* * * Francisco Garcia López, a member of Capulálpam’s Commission of Communal Goods. Dawn Paley "Welcome to Ixlán: Our "For 230 years, gold and cessions in the state of Oaxaca. underground water, which land is communal land, not to silver mining companies have The reactivation of the historic resulted in the disappear- be bought or sold," pronounces been exploiting tunnels in the "Natividad" site, reportedly ance of springs. The company a rusting billboard just outside mountains," he explains. Oaxaca’s richest gold and silver maintains that "the mine and regional centre of Ixlán, 60km Thousands of people mine, has been spearheaded by the mining activity are not north of the Southern Mexican from Calpulálpam worked in Continuum, majority owners in responsible for the disappear- state of Oaxaca’s capital city, the mine, until the union was a joint venture which started up ance of the springs." Oaxaca de Juarez. broken in 1993. Only a few in 2004 with a Mexican firm. "People in Capulálpam A couple of bumpy, hundred people, mostly from At the Natividad project alone, know that mining isn’t sustain- graveled kilometers from Ixlán the nearby town of Natividad, Continuum holds more than able" says Aldo Gonzales Rojas, lies Capulálpam, a remote stayed on. In the last few years, 54,000 hectares of concessions. a member of the Union of Orga- mountain village flanked by there has been little activity at Underneath the entrance to nizations of the Sierra Juarez locally owned riverside eco- the mine. the mine, an area where waste (UNOSJO), an organization tourism getaways. The town Today, residents of Calpu- rock, chemicals and tailings devoted to popular education center is but a square block, lálpam as well as former miners have been thrown directly into and farmer-to-farmer outreach. as the majority of community from the town have agreed the river below for centuries In addition to dried up springs members are rural indigenous that reopening the mine will looks like a sagging black stain and contaminated water, Zapotec farmers, who farm to not benefit the community. on the hillside. But it gets worse. "people can’t use sand from the support their families. "The quantity and quality of Out of service electrical trans- rivers anymore because it’s con- "The whole territory of our water supplies have been formers, once used to power taminated, nor can we capture Capulálpam is communally negatively affected by mining the mining operation, are now the frogs that are part of our owned," explains Francisco activity, that’s the main reason generating toxic Polychlori- diet without leaving our tradi- Garcia López, a member of we’re demanding the cancella- nated biphenyls (PCBs), which tional territory," says Rojas. Capulálpam’s Commission of tion of all mining concessions community members fear could Communal Goods, standing in our communal land," says be entering the water system. Roadblock for Negotiation on a rock above a river valley López. According to López, over and indicating with a sweep of Skyrocketing gold prices, the last few years, 13 streams "All of our complaints to his arm the forests, rivers and favorable mining laws and a have disappeared completely the government were falling on mountains that comprise the recent flood of speculation- because of Continuum’s explo- deaf ears," says López, referring municipality. linked financing for junior ration activities. The National to the dozens of attempts by He then points down to a mining companies have opened Water Commission (Conagua) the municipal council and series of white buildings, with up the way for Vancouver-based has confirmed that during community organizations to mining carts on tracks leading Continuum Resources to buy up the course of their activities, » continued on page 20 to openings into the earth. the majority of the mining con- Continuum Resources captured The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Opinion 11 Placing Curfews on Themselves Palestinian forces repress their own protesters by Christine Bro and his current burial ground. tear gas suffocation. The people who guarded the I am a Canadian-Palestin- RAMALLAH–It is a sad day Muqataa’ during Bush’s visit ian that has attended countless when one observes a Palestin- came from outside a day or two demonstrations in Montreal, ian member of the security before, while Palestinian police and it was the first time I had force tearing a sign that reads guarded the outside. Roads attend a protest in Palestine. It “end the occupation.” This was were dug and repaved, and was disheartening to see the way what took place during the every sewer in Ramallah was the Fatah-allied PA is dealing anti-Bush protest in Ramallah. checked for security purposes. with its Palestinian citizens Observing the current situation Residents living around the protesting Bush’s policies in in Palestine, I admire the will Muqataa’ particularity felt the the region. Demonstrators and perseverance of the Pales- high security alert and curfews were met by pepper spray and tinian people, who are met with as they were told that for their clubs and security forces began inconveniences and distur- own security not to open the tearing posters and banners. bances on a daily basis. windows of their homes or Arguments broke out between George Bush’s visit to the climb their rooftops. In case of the security forces and the occupied Palestinian territories an emergency, residents were citizens. The latter decried the on January 10, 2007 illus- given a number to call in which shame of Palestinians denying trated the grim reality on the a helicopter would come and other Palestinians from their ground created by Abu Mazen’s take them from their homes. right to protest, and taking takeover of the West Bank. A curfew was imposed in these over the role of the occupation Walking in the streets, many closed areas from 3am until 4pm forces. Palestinians remarked that it and residents were not allowed The demonstrators felt they were under curfew as to move by car or foot. Some remained and continued to they were during the days of the residents in this area were even chant in Arabic slogans such intifada. placed in hotels. When the high as “CIA out,” and “Bush not Most shops and roads security alert was at its peak, the welcome.” For Mahmoud Abbas were closed and Palestinian stress and anxiety was palpable demonstrators chanted that residents were cautious to leave in the streets of Ramallah. “Palestine is one nation” and their homes. Some could not, Bush met Mahmoud Abbas even turned against security even if they wished to. These (Abu Mazen) in the Muqataa’, forces saying “enough from road closures and curfews were and the Palestinian political the police.” Later, Palestinian not enforced by the Israeli elite welcomed him as a man women sat down in defiance of military, but rather by our very of peace and a president that police demands to move and own Palestinian government would help create a viable Pal- disperse and instead began to in cooperation with the United estinian state by January 2009. sing national songs such as the States and Israel. In the main At the same time, at least 1,000 Palestinian national anthem square of Ramallah, known as protesters took to the streets for among others. Al Manara Circle, one needed an anti-Bush demonstration, Seeing Palestinian people permission to take pictures. I, despite a ban on public protests. stand against Bush renewed my along with a young Palestinian Protesters were gathered at faith and re-instilled hope for student, learned this after our Ramallah’s Orthodox Club, not continued resistance against passports and cameras were too far from the presidential imperial policies in Palestine confiscated. compound, and attempted to and a “peace” forced on the Pal- Neither Bush nor Israel have move towards the Clock Square estinians that in no way would nothing to worry about. Abu but were violently pushed back bring justice to the people. Mazen and his gang are doing a by Palestinian security forces. Unfortunately for Palestinians phenomenal job in maintaining In addition 25 protest- citizens in the West Bank, the order and crushing any form of ers were seized by Palestinian Palestinian quasi-state that resistance or civil disobedience security forces, of whom ten Abu Mazen is attempting to in the West Bank. Even before were arrested and two injured Top: a ripped sign; middle: create already seems to mirror Bush’s arrival, the Palestinian and taken to the government protesters struggle to prevent other corrupt Arab regimes in Authority (PA) took precau- hospital in Ramallah. Bashir police from arresting a participant; the region that ban its people tionary steps to ensure that Kahyri, a senior leader of the bottom: women defy an order to from protesting. To deny one Bush’s visit would be as smooth Popular Front for the Liberation leave the protest area. Christine Bro of the few means of fighting for as possible. Two days before of Palestine (PLFP) who served political and social justice is to Bush’s arrival, two helicopters 16 years in an Israeli prison, demonstrator suffered from a jeopardize the very essence of landed in the Muqataa’, Yasser was treated in the hospital for broken nose while others were the Palestinian cause and its Arafat’s former compound a fractured shoulder. Another being treated in the hospital for resistance. 12 Foreign Policy The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Endorsing Death Squad Economics Canada’s Lightning Speed Trade Negotiations with Colombia by Jennifer Moore

“Why is it ridiculous to ask that human rights be respected in order to do free trade with Colombia?” asked award- winning Colombian journalist Hollman Morris during an interview on national public radio in Canada a couple of weeks ago. Morris was reflecting on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comments made in Bogotá this past July where he announced the launch of three-way free trade negotia- tions with Colombia and Peru. During a press conference with President Alvaro Uribe, Harper said that Canada is prepared to negotiate with Marie Clarke Walker, representing the Canadian Labour Congress, speaks at a labour rally held in Colombia despite being facing Toronto on November 29th in opposition of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Common Frontiers the worst humanitarian disaster in the hemisphere according only seven convictions, says head of secret services under this will set back our cause far to the UN. Alluding to US a statement released this Uribe. As well, marked failures more than any Latin American Democrats currently blocking month by the Canadian Labour in Uribe’s paramilitary demo- dictator could hope to achieve. approval of the US-Colombia Congress (CLC). bilization program have been By its bold actions, Colombia free trade agreement, he stated, Morris added that Uribe demonstrated as paramilitaries has proved itself worthy of “We are not going to say, ‘Fix also continues attacks on the are observed to be reorganizing, America’s support–and I urge all your social, political and press. He says that he has also sustaining their political Congress to pass this vital human-rights problems and recently “delegitimized journal- influence following recent local agreement as soon as possible.” only then will we engage in ists [such that] a number have elections. As to why Harper can get trade relations with you.’” His left the country within the last Considering what might be away with such offensive state- negotiating team has proved its month.” Morris himself has pre- motivating the Canadian Gov- ments despite Canada’s image determination to sign a deal and viously been accused by Uribe ernment’s lack of concern for the of itself as a human rights may have wrapped up fast track of having ties to left-wing guer- deep rooted corruption, human champion, Manuel Rozental talks in Lima this week. The rillas, comments later revoked, rights abuses and impunity in says a key reason is that the negotiations between Colombia but which still put Morris’ life in Colombia, Morris proposed, Canadian public hasn’t really and the US took 21 months. jeopardy. “I think what Canada is trying responded. Rozental recently “Prime Minister Harper’s Harper’s comments are a to do is to put pressure on the completed a CLC-sponsored, statement is quite offensive,” strong endorsement for Uribe at democrats in the US to support cross-country speaking tour said Morris, pointing out that a time when his administration the FTA with Colombia, which about the trade negotiations, “Colombia is the country in faces a grave crisis of legitimacy. fortunately won’t be signed urging Canadians to demand which trade unionists are the The “para-politics scandal” has during the Bush administration that the deal be stopped until most endangered in the world shaken even his key alliance and we are very happy for this.” a full debate take place in the [and] in the last couple of years with the US as a substantial In fact, the Harper Index Canadian Parliament. In July there has been a phenomenon block of US Congress holds up reported in late November that he commented that “Harper of the dismantlement of trade approval of the US-Colombia President Bush has indeed been wouldn’t even dare to behave unions. I’m wondering, is it Free Trade Agreement. Forty taking advantage of Harper’s the way that he’s behaving ridiculous to protect them?” congress people, including policy toward Colombia. and go to [visit] this regime if In 2006, there were 72 senators, governors and mayors Speaking with the Greater there was any political reaction reported killings of trade representing the President’s Miami Chamber of Commerce from the majority of Canadian unionists. Over the course political coalition, are under in October, the Harper Index people, but there isn’t.” of the Uribe administration, investigation for alleged rela- quotes Bush as having stated, Harper’s trip to Bogotá four hundred union officers tionships with paramilitary “As Prime Minister Stephen sparked minimal critique and rank-and-file members chiefs and collusion in elections Harper of Canada said, if the within the Canadian press and have been murdered and of fraud. Seventeen are already United States turns its back » continued on page 21 these crimes there have been in jail including the former on its friends in Colombia, The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 International 13 Echoes of Revolution (Part I) Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara by Stefan Christoff Aziz Fall: First it’s important Thomas Sankara, the to say that Sankara’s case former president of Burkina remains relevant and critical to Faso, a political leader renowned the understanding the current across Africa as a revolutionary, debate on ‘African develop- died 20 years ago in an assassi- ment.’ nation that sent political shock This year is the 20th anni- waves across the continent, versary of Sankara’s death and marking a critical moment for for 20 years the circumstances progressive social movements surrounding Sankara’s death in Africa. remain unknown. In this Burkina Faso, a small context, GRILA recently won western African nation formally a major victory at the United known as Upper Volta, was Nations, in establishing a legal renamed Burkina Faso, meaning precedent against impunity in “the land of upright people,” Africa. Until today, the official after the 1983 revolution that death certificate in Burkina Faso brought Thomas Sankara's gov- Thomas Sankara has become a symbol of self-determination and claims that Thomas Sankara ernment to power. alternatives to development dictated by the West. died of natural causes and this As president, Sankara is certainly not true. actively appealed for pan- through events such as Live Aid of the International Justice for It is the first time within the African self-determination, or campaigns such as "Make Sankara Campaign on behalf UN system regarding African for the full cancellation of Poverty History." of Thomas Sankara's widow, affairs that in the investigation foreign national debts across Independently driven Mariam, and his children, of a case in the death of a former the continent and for liberation development policies and an Auguste and Philippe. head-of-state, a UN body has from apartheid in South Africa. anti-colonial political platform Aziz Fall is a member of the ruled on the side of justice, "The question of debt is the brought international attention Group for Research and Initia- outlining clearly [in its recent question of Africa’s economic to Burkina Faso, inspiring tives for the Liberation of Africa decision] that people have a situation, as much as peace; grassroots social movements (GRILA) and the international right to know the circumstance this question is an important across Africa, and won Thomas co-ordinator for the Inter- surrounding Sankara’s death condition of our survival," Sankara powerful political national Justice for Sankara and that the family has the right Sankara said as president. enemies in France, Europe and Campaign. In this interview, to be compensated. "The debt cannot be repaid. the US. Aziz Fall reflects on the case of If we do not pay, our creditors Ten years after the death of Thomas Sankara 20 years after In the context of the will not die. We can be sure of Thomas Sankara, the Montreal- the assassination and outlines recent UN decision, why is that. On the other hand, if we based Group for Research and contemporary efforts to seek Sankara’s death significant pay, it is we who will die. Of that Initiatives for the Liberation justice for the 1987 assassina- in terms of struggles for we can be equally sure." of Africa (GRILA) launched an tion. social justice in Africa? In 2007, Thomas Sankara international legal campaign remains a powerful symbol into the circumstances sur- Stefan Christoff: October Sankara incarnated the last within grassroots social rounding Sankara’s death. In 2007 marks the 20th African revolution, the last movements in Africa, as the the courts of Burkina Faso, anniversary of Thomas radical African experience of 1983 revolution of Burkina Faso GRILA put forward a contro- Sankara’s assassination, to the 20th century; today, we can catapulted an alternative vision versial legal challenge to the highlight this anniversary collectively reference no other of African development onto government of President Blaise you recently participated similar political experiences the world stage. Compaoré, a close ally of France in an international in Africa. In the Burkina Faso Revolution in Burkina Faso who organized a coup d'état speaking tour organized revolution, there was the estab- led to a national development against Sankara and who has by the Justice for Sankara lishment of self-reliant develop- model rooted in "self-reliance" held power since. Compaoré is Campaign, focused on ment. Concretely, this meant and social solidarity. widely understood as having the UN case surrounding there was a serious attempt on Burkina Faso presented a direct role in Sankara's 1987 Sankara’s killing. In this a national level to ensure that a radically different concept assassination. context, can you reflect on the peasantry would have the of development to the charity After complete dismissal the political significance correct amount of food crop to model common today, strongly within the courts of Burkina of Sankara’s case in supply the national population promoted by international Faso, GRILA presented relation to contemporary with nutrition, prior to consid- institutions like the Interna- Sankara’s case to the UN Human African history and also to ering the possibility of exporting tional Monetary Fund (IMF), Rights Committee. In 2006, the international movements » continued on page 22 or fashionably displayed UN Committee ruled in favour for social justice? 14 International The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 North America’s Guilt Industry Sudanese Slavery and the Christian Right by Jay Heisler trade increasing and even the possibility of slave prices rising “It’s all about money. as a result. There are also reports They’re exploiting people’s guilt that people will claim to be and they’re making a fortune.” slaves in order to make money Dan Eiffe, manager of once they are “redeemed.” the Sudan Mirror, has been There are political dangers involved in Southern Sudan for as well. Accusations that decades. Through his work with Southern Sudanese rebels are the Mirror, an English-lan- backed by the United States guage paper based in Nairobi, are given more credence when as well as numerous other American Christian groups NGOs and aid organizations, keep such a high profile in the Eiffe has become a well-known area. Khartoum is then able to voice in Sudan and the inter- claim to be a victim to Western national community. A former crusaders and raise support Irish Catholic priest, Eiffe is among the Muslim world. This especially critical of efforts by is, of course, unfounded. The fundamentalist Christians from Bush administration has made Europe and the United States to Khartoum an ally in the war stop the slave trade in Sudan. on terror. And, just like the Slavery, though a scourge A rusted tank outside of a village in Southern Sudan. Sudan's small world superpowers who play in the area since long before rural villages were often victims of human rights abuses committed a blood-soaked chess game Sudan became a nation-state, by pro- and anti-government forces during the country's civil war. in Sudan, the Christian Right resurfaced as a serious issue Jay Heisler has been fickle throughout the in the 1980s. It became clear the Martyrs, groups which he tians. The fact that Khartoum history of this conflict. Former that soldiers and militias believes have been “genuinely is Muslim and many (but by US President Ronald Reagan backed by Sudan’s Northern committed” and should not to no means all) of the slaves are gave financial and diplomatic Khartoum government were be tainted by the less scrupu- Christians is especially high- support to Khartoum during capturing women and children lous organizations. He will not lighted when approaching this the early years of Sudan’s dev- from Dinka villages and selling mention the offending organi- demographic. astating civil war in the 1980s them into domestic servitude. zations by name, saying only “It’s actually become a and once visited then-President In addition to being a source that the majority are American business. You can fly to the Jafaar Nimairi with a group of of profit, this practice served fundamentalist churches. United States on a big salary Christian televangelists. The as a weapon of terror against Many of these churches will and you become a big name. slave trade was active at this civilian populations, in the same fly into Nairobi on chartered You’re saving slaves in Southern time. vein as mass rape and scorched- planes and stay in five-star Sudan’s war.” There is a silver lining to this earth campaigns. To this day, hotels, before spending a brief Eiffe explains that the main cloud, however. As Eiffe points Khartoum will only admit to amount of time in Sudan filming way for potential donors to dif- out, the South was fighting “abductions.” a documentary that they will use ferentiate between good and bad a forgotten war, “a forgotten When the international for fundraising at home. Very Christian charities is to check if tragedy,” and Christian community learned about the little of the money they raise they have any staff, structures, charities raised awareness in resurgence of the slave trade ends up back in Sudan. or programs in Southern Sudan the apathetic West. Although in Sudan, there was uproar “They have a flying visit. itself. Another important step is he cautions that an emphasis in Western countries. For the They pay off some corrupt to check whether they have any on the slavery issue ignores the first time, Republican Chris- officials within the movement other programs internation- political roots of the conflict and tians like Kenneth Star and and they have everything ally, instead of just “picking over-simplifies the world’s view African-American activists like organized for them,” Eiffe something sexy somewhere” to of it, he is glad that even a small Louis Farrakhan had found a explains. “They don’t have any ensure donations. amount of attention was given cause they could agree upon. programs on the ground. They In addition to the financial to Southern Sudan. However, in their ostensible come here for a week or two and exploitation involved, many He remembers an NBC efforts to free the exploited, make a movie, then you don’t critics suggest that the strategy journalist who was sidetracked many religious organizations see them again for 10 years. And taken by slave redemption by a wildlife park when coming ended up practising a different people will fill their buckets. programs actually encourages to investigate the slavery issue. sort of exploitation. Their movie is very dramatic the slave trade. Many of the He quotes the journalist as Eiffe explains that there when you show it in affluent Christian charities will pay saying: “Americans care more are many legitimate faith-based communities.” slaveholders for slaves, quite about dead elephants than dead charities, in particular the Most of the donors are literally buying them back. This Africans.” Samaritan’s Purse and Voice of elderly fundamentalist Chris- has led to reports of the slave The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 Opinion 15 Freedom of Expression in Afghanistan Restrictive laws, self-censorship keep criticism to a minimum by Waheed Warasta are several organizations in Afghanistan working in the field After the collapse of the of defending freedom of expres- Taliban regime in Afghanistan, sion: Afghanistan PEN centre as President Hamid Karzai came a branch of International PEN, to power, one of the promising Centre for International Jour- things he did was to declare nalism, Committee to defend freedom of the media. Afghan Journalists, Afghani- Soon a Media Law was stan National Journalists Union ratified ensuring more freedom and others. It is very important of the media under which indi- for all of these organizations to viduals could run independent be united and to defend each papers, publications, radios and other’s rights. Unfortunately, TVs. But still some of the articles many of them have their own in the Media Law were contro- ethnic and linguistic divisions versial and could still bring all A Canadian military photo shows children playing with a new radio. which prevents them from other articles of the media law Freedom of expression in Afghanistan, says Warasta, faces many unifying. Only if they are able to under question. Under such enemies. Combat Camera/Bruno Turcotte unite, despite their differences, articles, no one has the right attacks of the Taliban on the negative points. The fear among and defend each other’s rights to write or say anything that is news headline, nor could they the media was that Zahir Shah to freedom of expression, can considered against “national criticize the US-lead coalition, has been declared the Father one be hopeful for the future of interests.” But there is no clear and no one could air and publish of the Nation in Afghanistan’s freedom of expression in this definition of what national news that would decrease constitution, and those who country. Otherwise, this notion interests are that journalists people’s morale and spirit. dared speak against him could will be just a fragile dream. must not touch. In the media This letter was distributed be arrested on the charge of The fighters of freedom of law it is also stated that no one by the Afghan intelligence to the insulting him. expression are in dire need of can write or say anything that media and came under severe I remember a few years ago, moral support from the inter- affronts Islam. Such articles criticism after President Karzai, when Dr. Sima Samar, the head national community. Currently can easily be misused by the in his speech in Madrid confer- of Afghanistan’s Independent there are some elements within enemies of free media. ence, highlighted freedom of Human Rights Commission, the Afghan parliament and Under the media law a com- the media in Afghanistan as had spoken of secularism in government trying to revise the mission was set up to deal with one of the greatest achievement her interview with a Canadian media law in order to enforce journalistic violations of the of his administration. Interest- newspaper. Soon after her more restrictions upon journal- media law, however, because ingly, the spokesman of the interview was made public in ists and free thinkers. the minister of information president later claimed that he Afghanistan, papers belonging As Canada is one of the and culture himself chaired the did not know that the intelli- to the Mujahiddin denounced main countries involved in commission, the decisions of gence had issued such a letter. her heavily and attacked her Afghanistan’s reconstruction, the commission in most cases This could mean that there in several articles, describing I believe Canadians can play were biased in favour of those are still fragments of power in her as the “Salman Rushdie an important role by urging in power. The commission soon Afghanistan and powerful indi- of Afghanistan” meaning the their government officials, came under severe criticism viduals in the government that enemy and insulter of Islam particularly those who visit after which some other can unilaterally take individual in Afghanistan. She could do Afghanistan, to keep reminding representatives from civil action against journalists and nothing but keep quiet and the Afghan president of his society organizations were the free media. wait for the media noise to cool obligations to protect freedom included among its member- Self-censorship is another down. Finally, all she could say of the media in the country. ship. This again did not work big enemy of freedom of expres- to the media was that her words Such a pressure from the inter- due to the face that the minister sion in Afghanistan, one that have been misunderstood and national community, including still headed up this commission prevents writers and journal- that she hadn’t meant to insult Canada, can prevent the Afghan and the independent members ists from expressing certain Islam. Even after this noise died government from taking the were a minority. things. As an example, recently down, she had to keep body- wrong decisions to repress free The government itself has Afghanistan’s last king Zahir guards in her presence at all media and strangle the throat of proved not to be in favour of Shah passed away. All private times, and was forced to severely freedom of expression. freedom of expression. Proof of TV channels felt forced to make restrict her movements. this can be found in the Press exclusive programmes about But perhaps the biggest Waheed Warasta is the Guidelines paper that was him and in the ensuing round challenge to independent media Executive Director of the distributed to the free media table discussions only people in Afghanistan is the lack of Afghanistan PEN Centre in runners last year in which it who would speak in favour of unity among the so called Kabul. He also served as coor- was stated that no media could the king were invited. No one defenders of freedom of expres- dinator of the Open Media run information about suicide could utter a word about his sion in Afghanistan. There Fund for Afghanistan. 16 The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 “In review,“ continued from page 3

Canadian mining financier density neighbourhoods and In Vancouver, 1500 demon- Daniel Turner, Deputy Director Frank Giustra was at the center high car use, while those living strators effectively paralysed the of Public Liaison at the US of a political scandal in the in high-density neighbourhoods Vancouver International Airport State Department. According to United States involving Bill were relatively far less likely to and halted the planned depor- delegation members, the legal Clinton and a mining deal in use cars. tation of 48-year old paralysed basis for this withdrawa stands Kazakhstan potentially worth Punjabi refugee Laibar Singh with the continuous violation tens of millions of dollars. Representatives from Ven- on December 10–international of the 1851 and 1868 treaties by According to the New York ezuela’s grassroots social Human Rights Day. The vast the United States, as well as the Times, Giustra gained access movements gathered to discuss majority of the supporters were conditions of extreme poverty to Clinton’s inner circle after ways to advance a grassroots members of Vancouver’s Sikh that exist within the Lakota he donated $31 million dollars socialist agenda, while address- community, who had been mobi- communities. to the former US President’s ing growing bureaucracy within lizing and campaigning against foundation. Giustra subse- the Chavez-led government. Singh’s impending deportation Environmentalists have perhaps quently accompanied Clinton “There is a reformist sector that to India for months, while he won a partial victory after the on a trip to Kazakhstan, where has been working internally lived in sanctuary within a Sikh United States and Canada he signed a deal that “stunned to construct a force to build a temple. On January 9, a second both backed down from their the mining industry, turning counterweight to the revolu- attempt by the Canadian Border obstructionist positions at the an unknown shell company tionary sector that is in the gov- Services Agency to deport Singh UN Climate Change Summit into one of the world’s largest ernment,” said one participant. was thwarted after officials in Bali. After the summit was uranium producers,” according Another spoke of a “return to showed up at the Nanak Sikh extended an extra day, Canadian to the Times. the street,” adding “we didn’t Temple in Surrey at 4AM to Environment Minister John realize that the bureaucracy find 300 of Singh’s supporters Baird, who had been dogged by George Habash, Palestin- isolated us from this reality and blocking the entrance to the a delegation of Canadian youth ian leader, and founder of the this deterioration in which we temple. Singh’s supporters have activists throughout the week, Popular Front for the Libera- are living.” argued that he should remain in reversed his original position tion of Palestine (PFLP), died Canada on Humanitarian and against a binding target of 25 January 26th, 2008 at the age In response to the ongoing Compassionate grounds due to to 40 per cent reductions of of eighty-two after six decades Israeli siege of Gaza, a his medical needs. carbon emissions from wealthy of struggle. Habash dreamt of convoy of Arab and Israeli countries by the year 2020. Arab unity and an end to the peace activists held a dem- The Canadian Supreme The United States also agreed dispossession of Palestinians. onstration of between 1500 Court ruled that the Safe Third in the end to endorse the “Bali Seen by supporters as “the and 2000 at the Eretz border Country Agreement–legislation roadmap,” although only after conscience of the Palestinian crossing, calling for an end to that has cut refugees’ eligibil- the section requiring binding revolution,” Habash effected the Israeli siege of the Gaza ity to remain in Canada–was targets for all nations to collec- his politic treating the poor for strip and the immediate lifting illegal. The STCA, enacted tively reduce carbon emissions free as a medical doctor, and of the blockade of badly needed by the Martin government, was removed. Some environ- through the Popular Front for medical equipment, fuel, and prohibits political refugees from mentalists have argued that the the Liberation of Palestine, the food. The demonstration, which remaining in Canada if they summit’s key failing was the largest secular resistance group was organized by organizations have landed first in the US. The “single-minded focus on getting in Palestine. U.S., Canadian, such as Gush-Shalom and the ruling declared that the United Washington on board,” to the and Israeli governments have International Coalition Against States could not be deemed a detriment of actually achieving branded Habash as a terrorist House Demolitions, was held in “safe” country for refugees due firm carbon-reduction targets. for bombings and hijackings conjunction with the delivery of to its violations of the UN Con- carried out by the PFLP during 5 tons of food aid to the border vention Against Torture and the In Haiti, grassroots leader Rene the 1970’s. Many Palestinians, crossing near Gaza city. A dem- Refugee Convention. Civil was released after spending however will remember Habash onstration of 200 Palestinians 20 months in prison. Civil was a as a man who “embodied Pales- was held in Gaza at the same The Lakota Sioux nation member of the Lavalas party of tinian and Arab aspirations.” time, from which speeches were made steps to legally secede from former Haitian president Jean- broadcast to the Eretz gathering the United States on December Bertrand Aristide and was also Despite reports of rising via amplified cellphones. The 20 in Washington after Lakota a leader of the Popular Power environmental conscious- Israeli military barred the aid representatives withdrew from Youth (JPP), a grassroots orga- ness among Canadians, car supplies from entry into Gaza, all treaties signed with the US. nization of youth from poor ownership and usage is on the ordering that they be stored at Following years of discussions communities. Civil was arrested rise. A study conducted by Sta- a nearby Kibbutz. Organizers amongst treaty representatives in August 2006, shortly after tistics Canada found that 74 per have pledged to petition the within the various Lakota com- organizing a demonstration cent of Canadian adults made Israeli supreme court in order munities throughout Nebraska, calling for the release of political all of their trips by car. A similar to allow the aid supplies to be North Dakota, South Dakota prisoners and the return to the study in 1998 found 70 per cent delivered to Gaza, where 83 Pal- and Montana, the notice of country of Aristide. However, using cars for all of their trips, estinians, including 16 children, withdrawal from the 1851 and another grassroots activist, while the number was 68 per have died due to the ongoing 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties Wilson Mesilien, acting director cent in 1992. The study found a Israeli siege. was hand-delivered by a four- of the September 30th founda- strong connection between low member Lakota delegation to tion, a human rights organiza- The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 17 tion, was recently forced into and 2005. News to dub this escalation “the into the 1995 Ontario Provincial hiding after receiving death The Bush administration’s case worst onslaught by state forces Police killing of Dudley George threats. Mesilien’s predeces- for war with Iran was dealt in the last 10 years.” Since the last May. The land was origi- sor, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, a severe blow after sixteen 1994 uprising by the Zapatis- nally expropriated from the remains at large after he was different US intelligence tas, indigenous self-rule has Stony Point band in 1942 to kidnapped by unknown figures agencies concluded that the been quietly built within the allow the federal government to last August. The US and country had ended its nuclear region, as the Zapatistas have build a military base. Canadian governments took weapons more than four years established their own health, part in the military overthrow of ago. Despite this, George W. education and development First Nations survivors of Aristide in 2004, and Canadian Bush, claimed publicly that programmes, while forming the Canadian residential RCMP officials currently head he still believed Iran to be a their own governing “caracoles,” school system received their the UN training program for threat to the United States. The or good-government councils. first cheques as part of a$2 the Haitian National Police, completion of the report by the billion compensation settlement which is accused by Haitians National Intelligence Agency In Bolivia, clashes continued for the collective experience and international observers of had reportedly been held up and between middle- to upper-class of mass sexual and physical human rights abuses including postponed by vice-President supporters of the the Democratic abuse suffered by indigenous mass murder, sex trafficking Dick Cheney for two months. and Social Power (PODEMOS) children at Catholic-run schools and rape. political party and the social between the 1950s and 1980s. In Toronto, a new report by movements and indigenous Eighty thousands First Nations In Pakistan, in the midst of the provincial government has communities united under the people are eligible for this political turmoil in the week found that, despite crackdowns, Movement Towards Socialism compensation, which is paid in following the assassination 31,000 people currently receive (MAS) of current president lump sums, and which amount of Benazir Bhutto, the United a “special diet” supplement Evo Morales. Partisans of the to an average of $28,000. This States government announced designed for welfare recipients right-leaning PODEMOS, amount, however, only accounts it would approve the nearly with medical dietary needs. The which include the governors of for the federal government’s five-hundred million dollar sale supplement, valued at $250 four eastern departments, have portion of the settlement; The of eighteen Lockheed Martin extra dollars for food per month, been staging blockades, strikes, Catholic church is also respon- fighter jets to the regime of is an obscure and often over- and demonstrations for months sible for paying 30% of the Pervez Musharraf. Although no looked government program. against the proposed constitu- settlement. Although viewed definitive investigation has been The Ontario Coalition Against tional changes championed by by residential school survivors carried out of Bhutto’s murder Poverty (OCAP) has publicly set Morales and the social forces as an important milestone (the Pakistani President has up special diet clinics throughout united under the MAS, largely in the process of achieving refused to allow a UN investi- the city and province in recent movements of the country’s justice, the size of the settle- gation of the killing), many of years, arguing that individuals majority poor and indigenous ment pales when compared to Bhutto’s supporters, as well as on welfare live in conditions of peoples. The constitution would a similar settlement given to Democratic candidate Hillary state-sponsored poverty, which grant the central government Australian aboriginals of the Clinton, have expressed belief limits their dietary health. Over greater control over the country’s “Stolen Generation,” whose that elements of Pakistan’s the last two years, this campaign rich natural resources, but treatment at the hands of their military may have been behind effectively redirected over $30 would also guarantee expanded government throughout the the assassination, and have million of provincial revenue autonomy for departmental twentieth century bears many criticized the continued sale of into the hands of the province’s governments and indigenous striking similarities to that of arms to the regime. poorest residents. communities. The opposition the Canadian aboriginal experi- disagrees with the limitations ence. A new report issued by the Recent reports from human on land ownership established Canadian Department of Foreign rights organizations in in the document, as well as the In New Orleans, police Affairs and International Trade Chiapas, Mexico indicate that redirection of departmental attacked, tazered and pep- has found that Canadian arms the Mexican government is gas revenues to a new National per-sprayed public housing sales reached $700 million, the ramping up its military presence Pension Fund for all citizens of residents who had arrived at highest levels ever recorded, in in regions under heavy influence the country over the age of sixty. city hall to take part in a “public 2003. This figure did not include of the indigenous Zapatista Late last month, the opposition hearing” about the proposed sales made to the US which, if Liberation Army. According to has declared autonomy from demolition of 5000 public counted, would have brought the Centre for Political Analysis the central government for the housing units in the city. In the the total sales of Canadian arms and Social and Economic city of Santa Cruz, establishing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, to over $2 billion. According Research, a human rights a new police force, television there remains a homeless popu- to Ken Epps, an arms control NGO based in Chiapas, there station and special ID cards. lation of 12,000 within New researcher with Project Plough- has been a marked increase Orleans. City Hall and private shares, many of these sales were in the presence of military The Ontario government finally developers have nonetheless made to countries with dubious and paramilitary deployments announced that the province intensified efforts to demolish human rights records, such as within this Southern Mexican will be returning the Ipperwash public housing in order to make Colombia, China, and Saudi state which, coupled with an Provincial Park lands to the way for commercial property Arabia. Epps also noted that the increase in expropriations of Chippewas of Kettle and Stony and high-priced condomini- Pakistani military purchased land occupied by indigenous Point First Nations. This ums. Police had initially erected $250 million worth of helicop- Mayan sympathizers of the announcement follows the con- » continued on page 23 ters from Canada between 2004 Zapatistas, has prompted IPS clusion of the Ipperwash inquiry 18 The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 “Feminist Porn,“ continued from page 4 “Religious Freedom,“ continued from page 8 only shopping hours, but Good complete with a dysfunctional be used to justify polygamy, gender equality and ‘sameness’ For Her also hosts the largest film crew, spoofs on typical but if we recognize that the onto other women. This does number of sexuality workshops “lesbian” porn and “behind the current practice of polygamy is not imply that we become cul- in Canada. Besides expected scenes” footage. not about a particular religion turally relativist and begin to topics like “Muff Diving for Men: or culture (which reinforces support any unjust practice. The Art of Cunnilingus,” you Hottest Bisexual Sex racism)–it is, rather, a manifes- Cultural diversity or freedom can also find “From Swinging Scene: tation of a universal system of of religion should not serve as to Polyamory: Guidelines for The Bi Apple patriarchy–then we can more a shield to scrutinize against Open Relationships,” and “Sex Audacia Ray; Adam and readily reject those “freedom gender-oppressive practices. for Survivors: Sensuality and Eve Pictures, USA. of religion” arguments that Pleasure,” all on a sliding pay are used to prevent discussion scale. Like the crews respon- Audacia Ray is a sex-work- about the effects on women in “Such a theft of feminist sible for the films featured in er-rights advocate, the executive an anti-racist manner. principles is advancing The Emmas, the staff members editor of $pread magazine, at Good For Her make it their an art curator, a sex worker, How should feminists everything but genuine business to arm the public in its and an academic. The movie’s be addressing the issue equality for women.” quest for healthy sexuality. official tag line is “New York of religious freedom girls like boys doing boys who as it intersects with A sampling of the winners: like to do girls,” and includes a the marginalization of Walking this line requires scene that illustrates Gallant’s racialized, immigrant, and us to pay attention to specific Hottest Group Sex Scene: mandate to expand the range of indigenous women? contexts, to listen to those Under the Covers. women’s sexual expression, in women whose rights we purport Candida Royalle; Femme which a woman clearly derives We must contend with the to stand for, and to under- Productions, USA. voyeuristic pleasure from reality that culturally-imperial- stand that we occupy different watching two men together in ist feminisms are being forced relationships of power and Royalle is the founder of a shower. Both the depiction upon women across the world privilege. All oppressed women Femme Productions, a member of male homoeroticism in a and the narrative of women’s equally deplore sexism and of the American Association film not specifically meant for rights serves as a crucial tool in misogyny, but women’s libera- of Sex Educators, Counselors gay men and the portrayal of a the pro-war and anti-immigrant tion movements must be cultur- and Therapists (AASECT), a woman being aroused by male propaganda machine. Such ally sensitive and relevant so as founding board member of homosexual activity while not a theft of feminist principles to oppose patriarchal elements Feminists for Free Expres- physically participating are rare is advancing everything but without attacking or destroying sion (FFE), and also works as in mainstream pornography. genuine equality for women. non-white cultures, religions, a mentor for emerging female Instead, we must choose a or identities. Women of colour directors. Under the Covers is a Hottest Gonzo Sex Scene path that is feminist as well as and indigenous women have comedy about women who work and Hottest Diverse Cast: anti-racist, anti-militarist, pro- consistently pointed out that and inhabit the sex industry. Chemistry 1 immigration, queer- and trans- reducing their oppression to Tristan Taormino; Adam positive, and class-conscious. their ‘culture’ represents deeply Hottest Trans Sex Scene: and Eve Pictures, USA. This includes questioning and colonial attitudes. The greater In Search of the Wild challenging the legitimacy given oppression that some women Kingdom Taormino has a degree in to state-based responses such as face is directly linked to policies Shine Louise Houston; American Studies, co-edited A prisons as a solution to violence, of the state, histories of coloni- Blowfish Video, USA. Girl’s Guide to Taking Over the border controls as a solution to zation, the nature of capitalism, World, and wrote The Ultimate trafficking, child apprehension and the powerful rise of global Houston is a lesbian porn Guide to Anal Sex for Women as a solution to women and conservative ideologies. Most producer, the founder of Pink and Pucker Up: A Hands-on child poverty, and militariza- importantly, we must walk and White Productions, and Guide to Ecstatic Sex. Chemistry tion as a solution to third world alongside those women who are the only queer woman of color 1 is another genre-bender, this women’s liberation. on the front lines of their own currently with a distribution time in the vein of reality TV. It is important to avoid struggles and who are agents of deal. She made her first film The scenario: seven porn stars falling into the racist traps that their own transformation. They in 2005 in response to the dif- have a house to themselves for infantilize racialized women, do not need pity or charity, but ficulty she had recommending 36 hours. No script, no stunts while at the same time main- solidarity and our respect for hot women-on-women sex to and no bad “porn acting.” There taining a basic commitment to their leadership and agency. lesbian customers that wasn’t are even confessionals. gender and sexual equality that made for or directed by men cannot be breached by religious All opinions expressed are while she worked as a sex shop For more information and or cultural justifications. We of Harsha Walia alone and clerk. In Search of the Wild for a full list of winners, you must avoid a culturally impe- do not imply endorsement by Kingdom is a humorous moc- can visit Good For Her online rialist feminism that seeks to West Coast LEAF or other par- kumentary about lesbian sex, at www.goodforher.com impose Western notions of ticipants in the Project. The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 19 “Fear and Impunity,“ continued from page 10 small-scale farmers are forced tutional and rural violence, zones of consolidation, eruption authoritarian criminal control, either to find smaller parcels stimulated by the Conserva- of local para-states, interlinked which inhibits the possibility of of land to cultivate, or join the tive Party, left 300,000 dead into a national phenomenon of citizen action without coercion, growing waves of urbanization. without investigation and left power.” making municipal and depart- In either case, they continue to thousands without homes. The Armed right-wing para- mental elections very prob- face the threat of violence. resulting armed uprising from military groups have had lematic. Relying on a network A traveller passing through rural sectors precipitated an ample support from corporate of informants, paramilitary the cities of Colombia might internal conflict that to this day sectors, large scale farmers, infiltration into communities see a moderately developed continues to spill blood. The merchants, State security insti- and authorities at all levels of country, an urbanized popula- State doctrine since the 1960s tutions, Armed Forces, police society has broken the social tion and a burgeoning middle has been one of counterinsur- and regional government. fabric, creating suspicion and class. Liberal economic journals gency and has authored system- They have even benefited from mistrust among communities, describe Colombia’s economy as atic, generalized violations of significant representation in neighbours and even family. a prosperous, growing market, According to Leonardo rich in natural resources and Jaimes M, a lawyer with the ready for investment. But many Committee for Solidarity with Colombians understand the “Canadian and other foreign companies Political Prisoners (FCSPP), it situation as an ongoing civil is common in penal processes war. The State apparatus of certainly figure prominently in the paradigm to observe lists created by mili- control and repression–legit- taries that include many people imated through impunity and of State violence for economic development. (students, small farmers, maintained through the con- unionists, civilians) accused of solidation of executive military being guerrillas. power in all branches of govern- According to The Globe and Mail, Canadian “No one knows how these ment and a broken social fabric lists are formed, what criteria with violence being a continual investments in Colombia are an estimated are held, or what proof exists threat in all levels of society– to conclude guerrilla participa- has maintained a state of siege $1 billion from 17 corporations, making tion. The majority of these listed and atomized the Colombian people are later assassinated or countryside. Informants and Canada the 10th largest investor in the disappeared by State agents or military and paramilitary forces paramilitary groups.” create local fiefdoms, regional world. The investments are concentrated in Canadian and other foreign strongholds of ultra-right-wing companies certainly figure power. Urban centres are infil- the sectors where repression of unionists is prominently in the paradigm trated by networks of infor- of State violence for economic mants and surveyed by police greatest: oil, gas and mining.” development. According to and military. Maria Jimenez of The Globe and “The most preoccupying Mail, Canadian investments in factor of the situation is the Colombia are an estimated $1 appearance of normality which human rights and crimes against Colombian parliament and billion from 17 corporations, this military and political project humanity. A key element of the share a profound affinity with making Canada the 10th largest has acquired”, says Soraya counterinsurgent strategy has the current administration of investor in the world. The Gutierrez Arguello, president been paramilitarism, which uses President Uribe Velez. The investments are concentrated of the Jose Alvear Restrepo terrorist tactics and benefits Colombian Office of the United in the sectors where repression Lawyers’ Collective. Specific from state support. Nations’ High Commission of of unionists is greatest: oil, gas elements of social control, such Paramilitarism has worked Human Rights has signalled the and mining. as paramilitarism, impunity and to annihilate social resistance ongoing connections between While scandal erupts State power, have kept much of and democratic opposition paramilitary groups and the in Colombia over President the country’s population in a of civil society, creating new State. Uribe’s ties to narco-traffickers state of terror. agents of capitalist accumula- The paramilitary strategy and paramilitaries, Canada is tion while generating forced is excused with claims that putting trade negotiations with Paramilitarism: displacement. victims are suspected guerril- Colombia in overdrive by signing Infiltrating Civil Society According to Arguello, las or guerrilla collaborators. In a new Free Trade Agreement. and Rending the Social paramilitarism has united the reality, the victims are system- The FTA will open up Colombia Fabric anti-insurgent struggle with atically targeted members of the for more foreign development drug trafficking and State civilian population. According to and resource extraction for the Most socio-political studies support under one apparatus a follow-up mission conducted profit of Canadian companies agree that the origins of con- of “irregular right-wing war, by the Organization of American at the expense of the basic civil temporary violence in Colombia constructing paramilitary States in July 2007, paramili- rights of Colombians. began in the mid-1940s. Insti- corridors, owned territorialities, taries maintain and exercise an 20 The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 “Continuum,“ continued from page 10 have the federal or state govern- consult these peoples, with a have worked, at least temporar- ment intervene in environmen- view to ascertaining whether ily. tal conflicts with the company. and to what degree their On my first evening in In October of 2007, the interests would be prejudiced, Ixlán, I went to a gathering place Federal Environmental Protec- before undertaking or permit- behind the church to watch a tion Agency (Profepa) ordered ting any programmes for the fireworks display in honor of Continuum to halt all exploita- exploration or exploitation of the city’s patron saint. Less than tion activities at Natividad due such resources pertaining to a block away was a military jeep to environmental complaints. their lands." with six heavily armed soldiers, Locals were glad that the López, a lifetime resident of monitoring the crowd. government stepped in, but Capulálpam, says that neither A man approached me, and remained concerned that the the government of Mexico nor noticed I was looking at what company would continue explo- the company has consulted with seemed like too many soldiers ration work. the people of the village. The for a small town festival. "We decided to take col- main prospects for Continuum’s “They’re not here to protect us,” lective action," says López, expansion of the Natividad mine he said quietly, “they’re scared referring to the decision by lay under communally owned of us. We supported the resis- members of the community, property in Capulálpam. tance in Oaxaca City, they know including the mayor, to block we’re strong.” the main highway out of Oaxaca “Protest and Violence” in For his work advocating City. Context Mining site near Ixlán, Oaxaca, for the rights of the 70,000 Dawn Paley "On October 16th, we Mexico. Zapotec people in the Sierra blocked the highway with fifty “Investors may be aware Observation describes the state Juarez, as well as his stand pickup trucks for five hours, that political and social tension repression of the uprising as “a in solidarity with the popular demanding the permanent has lead to incidences of protest juridical, police, and military uprising in Oaxaca in 2006, closure of the Natividad mine." and violence in Oaxaca over the strategy... whose final objective Aldo Rojas from UNOSJO has They withdrew the roadblock past six months,” warns a pro- is to intimidate and gain control received email death threats once a working dialogue with motional piece for Continuum over the civilian population.” from unidentified individuals, the Secretary of Economy, the Resources prepared by Funda- Stripped of its context, the and has reportedly appeared on sub-Secretary of Government mental Research Corporation “protest and violence” referred military black lists, accused of and Profepa was agreed upon. in April of 2007. to in Continuum’s promotional being a guerilla. Profepa issued another In her new book The Shock material is rendered innocuous, Rojas continues his work document in November of Doctrine, Naomi Klein summa- and the company unabashedly for justice in the area, as do 2007, noting that among other rizes recent events in Oaxaca in capitalizes on it: “While other the citizens of Capulálpam, infractions, Continuum had not the context of popular resistance companies have shied away regardless of intimidation from carried out hydro-geological to the current economic model from exploration due to the a government that has proven studies required of it, because in Mexico. Klein writes, “...the violence in Oaxaca, Continuum it is willing to kill, torture and "[the company] lacks permis- right wing government sent in has been able to acquire highly imprison its citizens in the sion from the authorities of riot police to break a strike by prospective properties with very name of control. Capulálpam to enter in their teachers who were demanding large land areas due to a lack of It is in this climate of jurisdiction or territory." an annual pay raise. It provoked interest there.” “protest and violence” that Continuum acknowledges a statewide rebellion against the Continuum has made good Continuum Resources is in official documents that it corruption of the corporatist off of “protest and violence,” determined to carry its project has received environmental state that raged for months.” doing deals with Oaxaca’s forward, and the likelihood complaints and that Natividad The scale of repression is corporatist governments, and is that the mainstream media has been subject to temporary captured in part by Mexico’s joining a host of other mining and the Canadian Govern- closure. The company does National Human Rights Com- companies, like Vancouver’s ment rallies behind them in not appear to have adopted a mission, which reports that Eurasian Minerals in Haiti and promoting the extractive indus- protocol on corporate social stemming from the repression others in Colombia, aiming to try’s “development” model in responsibility. of the teachers’ strike in Oaxaca, make a profit in parts of the Southern/Indigenous territory. Mexico has ratified the between June and December Americas where repression For communities strug- International Labour Organi- 2006 20 people were killed, and violence are often directed gling against the extractive zation’s Convention 169, on 25 people were disappeared, against popular movements. industries, consensus around Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 349 people were detained and who benefits and who pays is Article 16 of which reads "In 370 people were wounded. The Oaxaca, 2008 perhaps more easily reached cases in which the State retains report notes that “the sections of than it is around other issues. As the ownership of mineral or the Federal Preventative Police In the city of Oaxaca today, the popular Latin American folk sub-surface resources or rights (PFP) that intervened to restore there is little more than graffiti song reminds us, “El pueblo, to other resources pertaining public order have used repeti- as physical evidence of the 2006 unido, jamás será vencido/The to lands, governments shall tive and excessive violence.” rebellion. The full-scale repres- people, united, will never be establish or maintain proce- The International Civilian sion intended to decimate the defeated.” dures through which they shall Commission for Human Rights popular movements seems to The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 21 “Death Squad Economics,“ continued from page 17 failed to trigger any response in efforts this time to ensure that workers needs to start before donment basic food staple the streets. However, this is not labour organizations have no any negotiations take place. production in the country, and an indication that Canadians do say in the process. Rick Arnold, They call for a thorough and leaving aside industrialization not mobilize. When the crisis in Coordinator of Common prior assessment of risks to while integrating Colombia into Burma erupted, the Canadian Frontiers Canada, reported this workers noting in particular the global economy through public was infuriated. Canadian month that “A Colombian trade the great asymmetry between over-exploitation of cheap media coverage of the situation negotiator recently let slip that the Colombian and Canadian labour.” Rural livelihoods are was extensive and numerous the Canadian government told economies. They outline already seriously compromised protests took place. Colombian negotiators to keep additional concrete measures in Colombia with internal However, resistance to the draft labour text secret, well that would help address the displacement at around 3.8 Canada’s overdrive free trade away from Canadian unions systematic dismantlement million. talks with Colombia and Peru and non-governmental organi- of Colombian labour. During However, much remains is evident, as several labour zations.” 2006, just over 60,000 workers, to be seen from the Canadian and human rights organizations According to the Harper of an economically active popu- public. If the CLC campaign released statements opposed to Index, in order “to inoculate lation of twenty million, were catches on, their demands for a Canada-Colombia FTA in late itself against criticism, earlier able to benefit from collective real change in the situation in November. The CLC, in addition this month Federal Labour bargaining. Colombia also implicate serious to their statement, held a march Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn RECALCA, the Colombian changes to the current Canadian of several hundred in Toronto announced $1 million being Action Network Against Free model; “An international on November 29th and called given to Colombia under the Trade and the Free Trade Area business deal with Colombia or for public support of delegates International Program for Pro- of the Americas, also points out any other country,” according participating in labour conven- fessional Labour Administra- that Colombia’s negative trade to the CLC, should “foster “fair- tions across the country at which tion (IPPLA).” The Index quoted balance with Canada amounted trade”, and not only benefit they will “consider this issue the Minister as saying that “this to $225 million dollars in 2006. international investors while and demand an end to trade funding will help the Colombian According to RECALCA, this worsening widespread condi- negotiations.” The CLC rejects Government to strengthen and agreement is likely to reinforce tions of poverty and social that such negotiations could be enforce labour laws on behalf of Colombia’s orientation as a exclusion.” remedied by “ineffective labour workers here, and will support producer of tropical and mineral The Harper government, and environmental side agree- good governance by building products in exchange for manu- in its rush to complete this ments with no teeth on rights capacity for the effective admin- factured goods and machinery. free trade deal, is unlikely to or standards will do nothing to istration of labour legislation.” They note that the themes being do this on its own. A serious improve the situation.” However, a joint statement addressed by these trade nego- and vigorous public debate in In defiance of Canadian released in July by the CLC and tiations are the same as those Canada is urgently required. labour demands, and despite a national Colombian labour covered by US-Colombia talks the general secrecy that usually organization, the Central and conclude that an FTA with A previous version of this surrounds bilateral free trade Unitaria de Trabajadores de Canada would “lock Colombia article was published at ALAI. negotiations, it appears that the Colombia (CUT), says that into free trade, paralyzing the current Canadian negotiating addressing the potential threats state’s capacity to promote team has been taking special of a free trade agreement to development, leading to aban-

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* If you don’t know who he is, check “in review,” in this issue. 22 The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 “Sankara,“ continued from page 12 to the international market. development and the develop- ties of self-reliant development ment idea of a true pan-African In Burkina Faso, on a ment of a local or indigenous models. It is interesting to note movement for liberation. national level, there was an definition of development was that the World Social Forum effort to establish a model of fundamental to the economic in Nairobi, Kenya, echoed the Can you explain for self-reliant development in program that Sankara was African Social Forum in rec- yourself why Sankara’s regards to food, education and advocating. This is why Sankara ognizing Sankara’s policies as case is touching for you on healthcare; within four years, died; this is why Sankara was potential models for self-reliant a political level? How do the national political mentality assassinated. development. Sankara’s ideas strike you? and national production model Today in Africa, there is a Why are they important to were shifted in a progres- What has been the echo- growing movement in support you as a social activist? sive direction that no other effect of Thomas Sankara– of Sankara, with political African nation has succeeded in the way in which the legacy parties based on Sankara’s It’s simple to understand. achieving before. of Sankara’s alternative ideas in Burkina Faso and Mali; GRILA was born the year of This political process had economic ideas impacted this movement didn’t exist the revolution in Burkina Faso, an enormous impact on the all of Africa, the political while Sankara was alive, but is based on the same values that imagination of the youth, while and economic ideas that thriving today with an amazing Sankara advocated, as GRILA also had an impact in regards are being discussed today number of associations, groups shared a similar world view, to the neo-colonial framework in Africa within networks and organizations around Africa shared a similar dream of estab- of development within Africa, advocating for social and and abroad that are very active lishing a self-governed model mainly in regards to the ongoing economic justice? today. for development in Africa, French influence over African In 2007, I met with many which explains the attachment, development. In terms of civil-society: I organizations in multiple the connection. France, in reality, hasn’t must first admit that I have countries who continue to work Self-governed, or managed granted independence to the mixed feelings concerning the on Sankara’s case while also development, means that former colonies due to the neo- role of civil-society today, as advocating for the political nations must rely on their colonial economic development and economic ideas surround- internal forces first, before framework that it continues to ing development that Sankara looking to external assistance. impose on Africa. France utilizes “Major parts of pushed while alive. Throughout Development must be rooted mainstream development our recent international caravan in creating your own markets models to smuggle resources civil-society on an from Mexico to Europe, where of consumption. A nation must from Africa, to have easy we visited multiple countries, feed its own population, which access to valuable minerals, to international level I was amazed by the crowds means that all citizens must have access and influence over that welcomed us and the have access to the national land, the maintenance of a system have been co-opted support and solidarity that we while the natural resources and of capitalist development in witnessed. mineral wealth should be owned Africa. An economic develop- by the international Sankara’s ideas are still by the people, not foreign ment system that can only be extremely relevant today. companies. maintained with the support neo-liberal economic Internationally, people are Sankara advocated for a of local puppets that are totally wearing t-shirts and buttons model of development as focused reluctant to listen to the griev- framework and throughout the world, so on first fulfilling the basic needs ances and demands of their own institutions like the Sankara is becoming an icon, of the population, including population. which is not necessarily a good providing access to clean water, Sankara’s project in World Bank and IMF.” thing; however, it illustrates to quality education, to housing Burkina Faso is certainly a the support for Sankara’s ideas and healthcare. Once these project that is important to today in Africa. Sankara is the critical elements are fulfilled consider for Africa because it major parts of ‘civil-society’ Che Guevara of Africa, who on a national level, then you relates directly to pan-African- on an international level have died at almost the same age, at can adapt to modern economic ism, the collective integration been co-opted by the interna- 37, accomplishing great things markets and modern technol- of the African nation-states, tional neo-liberal economic in a short time while operating ogy based on the rhythm of your certainly an economic model framework and institutions like with political honesty, with a own society and culture. that advocates something inher- the World Bank and Interna- total dedication to the people of Today, most African ently different than NEPAD tional Monetary Fund (IMF). Burkina Faso and Africa. nations aren’t in a position to [the New Economic Partner- However, there are still very African social movements compete in the world capitalist ship for African Development], authentic and participatory continue to recognize Sankara’s market due to realities such as which is actually a plan that elements to networks today in legacy in terms of the demand the subsidies within the agricul- is fostering relations between Africa that are labelled 'civil- for debt cancellation, an uncon- tural market within European Africa and western nations. In society.' ditional demand for cancella- countries and the unfair nature reality, NEPAD can’t be viewed In this context, it’s tion of national debts, as part of of the international economic or understood as an African important to note the contem- an effort to change the balance system. African nations must plan for development. porary recognition of Sankara’s of power between modern rely on their own forces first, Today, Africa needs to economic and political ideas as economic imperialism and while co-operating with other outline an African plan for models for exploring possibili- Africa, towards the develop- nations in the global south. The Dominion, February 2008 — Issue #49 23 b y He a t h e r Me e k

“In Review,“ continued from page 17 a metal gate around city hall, twenty years. Critics of the dam overwhelming opposition and para-military attacks upon prohibiting public housing have demanded that its size within Congress due to human indigenous protests against land residents from entering the be reduced in order to avoid rights concerns. Colombia expropriation have emerged building. Fifteen were arrested flooding still further indigenous currently has the worst human from the Southwest Cauca in in total as the council passed the communities, and continue to rights record of any country in recent weeks. motion in favour of the demoli- fight for land for those who have the Western Hemisphere, and tions. Residents have pledged been displaced by the dam’s more trade unionists are killed African political leaders have to continue fighting, and have construction. in the region than in the rest of rejected a neo-liberal trade called for supporters to travel the world combined. Little has agreement with the European to the region and take part in Hundreds of trade union dem- been made public about this Union, which would have forced a campaign of direct actions onstrators gathered in Toronto trade agreement, nor of the punitive duties upon imported against these home demoli- to protest the proposed Can- timeline for its implementation, goods from the continent, such tions. ada-Colombia Free Trade but public officials have specu- as sugar, meat and bananas, Agreement, while approxi- lated that the trade pact could which would have competed Officials in India have mately 30-40 activists with be completed within the next with European producers. The conceded that the construc- the Canadian Union of Public few weeks. Many Colombian “Economic Partnership Agree- tion of the World Bank-backed Employees picketed the office of activists have argued that this ments” have been the subject Narmada Dam is illegal. Shri former Foreign Affairs Minister trade agreement encourages of protests by trade unions and Afroz Ahmad of the Narmada Peter Mackay in New Glasgow, para-military political violence social movements throughout Control Authority admitted that Nova Scotia. Critics from trade against indigenous peoples, the continent, and were voted the construction of the dam to unions, human rights orga- trade unionists, afro-Colom- down during an EU-Africa the height of 121.9 metres has nizations, and ecumenical bian communities, and poor summit in Lisbon. The led to the illegal submergence of organizations in Canada have people within resource-rich increased amount of investment houses and farms, particularly argued that this trade deal has territories, and also provides from China in Africa has likely those of the Bhil tribal people, been negotiated in complete the framework to “legalize and provided the subcontinent with many of whom have been strug- secrecy, after a dramatically legitimize” this economic and a greater amount of breathing gling against the construction similar trade deal between the political terrorism. Meanwhile, room in negotiating such trade of this mega-dam for more than US and Colombia met with reports of increased military deals in recent years. In March 2008, the Dominion will be traveling across Canada to present our plan for building a sustainable, democratic media cooperative... and asking people to join in building real alternative media. Want to help out, or host us in your community? For more information and news about the tour, visit:

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