Advent begins and our sights are turned to Jesus’ comings into the world – to suffer its injustices and ultimately put them right. Recent events (which are a constant for some people) increase the longing for a “new heaven and earth where justice reigns” 2 Pet 3.13
A 20-year-old young man, friend of some of those on our Alpha course, was killed by a hit and run driver, who was subsequently caught. But since the driver’s parents have “connections”, he walked free.
At another level, the frustration of unfulfilled promises for Indian communities can also lead to bloodshed. Whilst they wait, their ancestral lands are steadily taken over by white settlers and oil companies. Sometimes anger boils over: Southern Tobas in La Primavera demonstrated, and police reaction left one Toba and one policeman dead and many wounded or disappeared. A priest friend of ours is accused of inciting to violence, but the truth is likely to be rather different. Our Wichi neighbours, who are “occupying” government housing built on “their” lands, are understandably nervous.
But so are those, including many from churches, working with human rights organizations. It is becoming increasingly necessary for groups such as our own Asociana, to hire defence lawyers, and expect to be targeted by hostile reactions even in countries with left-leaning governments such as Argentina and Paraguay. Shortly after first postiong this the offcies of a Chaco based group in Paraguay defending the Ayoreos was raided.
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