Sandinista activist speaks

Sandinista activist speaks

By Mike Byrne and Lynda Hansen

BRISBANE — More than 50 people attended a forum on land rights and autonomy in Nicaragua at the Resistance Centre on April 27. Sandinista national directorate member Dorotea Wilson spoke on the negative impact of IMF and World Bank policies on the natural resources of the Atlantic Coast region.

Wilson described the region's past as a Spanish colony then a British protectorate and the impact on its diverse culture, language and traditions. British overlords introduced African slaves to assist in the exploitation of the rich natural resources.

She outlined the political developments since the 1990 election and described the strength of the 400 women's groups working within Nicaragua.

While she was in Brisbane, Wilson also met with members of the Indigenous Land Corporation to discuss the land rights struggles in Nicaragua and Australia.

From GLW issue 316