Brörán leader Pablo Sibar and other human rights defenders threatened
Association
#CostaRica: Reiteramos profunda preocupación por las amenazas en contra del defensor Pablo Sibas y del pueblo Brörán, así como la falta de voluntad del Estado de Costa Rica en implementar efectivamente las medidas de protección otorgadas por la CIDHhttps://t.co/PxXEHB5t6S pic.twitter.com/6QJiMjcUyt
— FLD Américas (@FLDAmericas) March 18, 2021
After Bröran defenders published an alert about attempts by two land invaders to forcibly remove Indigenous communities from ancestral lands, Indigenous leader Pablo Sibar and other Bröran leaders received death threats online. According to Frontline Defenders, the threats received on 13th and 14th March 2021 contained racist language and specifically mentioned Sibar. In an audio, Sibar reported the harassment and called on President Carlos Alvarado Quesada to take measures to protect Indigenous peoples. On 15th March 2021, a legislator from political party Acción Ciudadana requested that the Minister of Security take urgent measures to ensure Sibar’s protection. The request was reportedly forwarded to the Attorney General. The CIVICUS Monitor has previously documented increasing threats and attacks to Sibar.
In another development, on 16th March 2021 civil society organisation Frente Nacional de Pueblos Indígenas (National Indigenous Peoples Front - FRENAPI) published an early warning about violent attacks against a Bribri family living in recovered Indigenous territories in Las Brisas de Cabagra.