(Ottawa) - The Council of Canadians expressed deep concern for the well being of Kimy Pernia Domico, a well-known Colombian human rights and indigenous activist. On Friday, June 2 at 6:20 pm Mr. Pernia was forced on to a motorcycle at gunpoint by unidentified men, and driven out of town. The abduction occurred in the town of Tierralta, in Cordoba province, in northern Columbia.

In a strongly worded letter sent today to the Colombian Ambassador, Council Chairperson Maude Barlow expressed great concern for Pernia's safety.

"We are demanding that the Colombian government act immediately to secure the safe release of Mr. Pernia and we are asking our members, chapters and allies to write to the Colombian Embassy demanding the same," said Barlow. "We will not stand by while our allies in other countries suffer political repression. Their struggle and our struggle are one in the same."

Pernia has been invited as a guest of the Council of Canadians to speak at the international conference, "Water for People and Nature" being held in Vancouver July 5-8th. Prior to the conference, he is scheduled to undertake a cross-Canada tour to talk about water and human rights.

Pernia was in Canada last April to speak at the People's Summit on the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Quebec City.

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