Colombia Indians rally for peace

By Jeremy McDermott
BBC correspondent in Colombia

The Indians have long been in the firing line in Colombia's conflict

Indigenous Indians in Colombia have begun a march against violence in the province of Cauca by the Pacific coast.

They are demanding that the warring factions in the country's long-running civil conflict respect their autonomy and keep out of their reserves.

The Paez Indians are hoping to attract some 40,000 people.

They have been at the forefront of passive resistance to Marxist rebels and paramilitaries, who seek to recruit their youth and dominate their lands.

Armed only with the staffs that are the symbol of authority and trust to the Paez people, the message the indigenous Indians of Cauca are sending to the warring factions is: keep off their land.

The indigenous communities in Colombia have long been in the firing line in the 40-year civil conflict.

Their ancestral lands are often in the remoter parts of the country, where state presence is weak and drug crops common.

Earlier this month, 400 Indians marched to a guerrilla stronghold to secure the release of one of their mayors who had been kidnapped by the rebels. And without a shot being fired, the guerrillas gave in - this time.