Bedoya grew up in the region of Chocó, Colombia. He lived on his family farm for 11 years, growing rice, corn, and bananas. In 1996, Colombian paramilitary forces evicted his family from the farm. He returned to his land in 2008, where he was evicted again. He was almost evicted a third time in 2012, as his house was demolished twice, but the presence of the team from NGO Justice and Peace prevented their removal.[1]
Activismedit
After nearly being evicted from his property three times, Bedoya converted his own land into the “Mi Tierra Biodiversity Zone”, in an effort to protect the farmland that belonged to the Afro-Colombian community in Chocó from encroaching agro-industry corporations. “Mi Tierra” was also founded for maintaining the rich biodiversity in the region.[1] His calls for change were not limited to land rights, however; Bedoya was a member of Communities Building Peace in the Territories (CONPAZ) and worked to follow the 2016 peace agreement between FARC and the Colombian government. His anti-agribusiness activism resulted in numerous death threats from paramilitary groups with ties to the industry for over two years up until his assassination.[2]
Deathedit
On December 8, 2017, Hernán Bedoya was shot 14 times [3] by the Gaitanista Self Defense Force in Chocó between the point known as El Acopio and the hamlet of Playa Roja. His death came after 2 years of threats against him and numerous other protestors from members of the paramilitary force identified by aliases “Coyote”, “Yeison”, and “Lute.”.[4] Despite being under the official protection of the National Protection unit, Bedoya was given only a cell phone and a bulletproof vest to defend himself. His death devastated the population of the region, which had been celebrating 20 years of resistance to land encroachment from palm oil companies.[1]
On August 18, 2018 Bedoya's tombstone was found to have been burned, presumably in retaliation for the continued activism of his family.[5]
Legacyedit
Bedoya is survived by his wife and children, all of whom are committed to continuing his work.[5] His 18-year-old son, Ramón Bedoya, plans to become a rights activist and continue to protest the deforestation and corporate seizure of the region.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abcVolckhausen, Taran. "Colombian community leader allegedly murdered for standing up to palm oil".
^ abWatts, Jonathan. "'This is a last hold-out': son of a murdered farmer in Colombia". theguardian.com.
^Video in memory of Hernán Bedoya, Colombian community leader (Motion picture) (in Spanish). Colombia: Transport & Environment. December 15, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
^"Asesinado líder Hernán Bedoya". Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz. December 8, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
^ ab"Con la quema de lápida de Hernán Bedoya intimidan a su familia". usticiaypazcolombia.com.
April 13, 2024
hernán, bedoya, colombian, land, rights, activist, fought, corporate, farmland, encroachment, died, 2017, december, 2017chocó, departmentcitizenshipcolombia, contents, personal, life, activism, death, legacy, referencespersonal, life, editbedoya, grew, region,. Hernan Bedoya was a Colombian land rights activist who fought corporate farmland encroachment Hernan BedoyaDied 2017 12 08 December 8 2017Choco DepartmentCitizenshipColombia Contents 1 Personal life 2 Activism 3 Death 4 Legacy 5 ReferencesPersonal life editBedoya grew up in the region of Choco Colombia He lived on his family farm for 11 years growing rice corn and bananas In 1996 Colombian paramilitary forces evicted his family from the farm He returned to his land in 2008 where he was evicted again He was almost evicted a third time in 2012 as his house was demolished twice but the presence of the team from NGO Justice and Peace prevented their removal 1 Activism editAfter nearly being evicted from his property three times Bedoya converted his own land into the Mi Tierra Biodiversity Zone in an effort to protect the farmland that belonged to the Afro Colombian community in Choco from encroaching agro industry corporations Mi Tierra was also founded for maintaining the rich biodiversity in the region 1 His calls for change were not limited to land rights however Bedoya was a member of Communities Building Peace in the Territories CONPAZ and worked to follow the 2016 peace agreement between FARC and the Colombian government His anti agribusiness activism resulted in numerous death threats from paramilitary groups with ties to the industry for over two years up until his assassination 2 Death editOn December 8 2017 Hernan Bedoya was shot 14 times 3 by the Gaitanista Self Defense Force in Choco between the point known as El Acopio and the hamlet of Playa Roja His death came after 2 years of threats against him and numerous other protestors from members of the paramilitary force identified by aliases Coyote Yeison and Lute 4 Despite being under the official protection of the National Protection unit Bedoya was given only a cell phone and a bulletproof vest to defend himself His death devastated the population of the region which had been celebrating 20 years of resistance to land encroachment from palm oil companies 1 On August 18 2018 Bedoya s tombstone was found to have been burned presumably in retaliation for the continued activism of his family 5 Legacy editBedoya is survived by his wife and children all of whom are committed to continuing his work 5 His 18 year old son Ramon Bedoya plans to become a rights activist and continue to protest the deforestation and corporate seizure of the region 2 References edit a b c Volckhausen Taran Colombian community leader allegedly murdered for standing up to palm oil a b Watts Jonathan This is a last hold out son of a murdered farmer in Colombia theguardian com Video in memory of Hernan Bedoya Colombian community leader Motion picture in Spanish Colombia Transport amp Environment December 15 2017 Retrieved September 8 2018 Asesinado lider Hernan Bedoya Comision Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz December 8 2017 Retrieved September 8 2018 a b Con la quema de lapida de Hernan Bedoya intimidan a su familia usticiaypazcolombia com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hernan Bedoya amp oldid 1203372055, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
