"Deep concern OIDHACO by increased persecution"
Brussels, March 4, 2011 Calls for the EU to require end Bogotá impunity in cases of threats, attacks and killings of human rights defenders
- The recent report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Colombia, "recorded with concern the continued killings, threats , attacks, information theft, monitoring and intimidation against defenders of human rights and their organizations in different regions of the country "
- The High Commissioner warns that" the precariousness of the results of criminal investigations is common in most cases where the defenders are victims "and recommends that the Colombian government to" ensure the necessary resources to investigate the killings of human rights defenders "
- According to 2010 report of the Colombian" We are advocates, "32 were killed, 174 and 168 defenders of human rights organizations were victims of some type of aggression during that year. OIDHACO reiterates
- its request that President Santos ordered the killing of the defenders and that public support when threatened.
Colombia can not go to the change announced by the government of Juan Manuel Santos as his human rights defenders continue to be persecuted, threatened, attacked, brought to justice under false pretenses and killed. The situation of leaders of the rural population, indigenous and Afro-American, defense lawyers of the victims, is of the utmost gravity. The right-wing paramilitary groups, guerrillas, security forces and, in some cases the same justice, are harassing to prevent them from continuing their work.
In the 2010 report of the governmental program "We are advocates," he complains that in that year, 32 defenders were killed. In the recent report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Colombia states that "the precariousness of the results of criminal investigations is common to most of the cases where defenders are victims." In turn, shows his concern for the "prosecution and arbitrary detentions are based largely on statements of informants or demobilized military intelligence reports." Also, "We are defenders' warning "Lack of results in the investigations by the Prosecutor" and denounces "the 130 cases of prosecutions and 11 arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders, including the Carolina Rubio came when she was eight months pregnant.
OIDHACO in October 2010, at a meeting held in Brussels, Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzón, did you know its serious concern at the situation of defenders in Colombia. Expressly requested that President Santos ordered the killings and that the public would support whenever they were threatened to send a clear message that violent the government was not prepared to tolerate the continued persecution. Also, to do everything necessary to end impunity in cases of threats, persecution and murder. "This unfortunately has not happened," says Vincent Vallier, spokesman for the Brussels-based organization. "In the past few months have organizations and advocates in particular leaflets threatening to kill the defenders, especially lawyers and leaders of indigenous, Afro-descendant and peasant are leading the process of land restitution stolen by means of violence by paramilitary groups. " "And the president has not ruled Santos" says Valli.
Impunity is the best weapon for those who throw these threats and then killed. It has been seven months since Santos came to power and so far, has not spoken on the subject or know of a project to end impunity. "Therefore, OIDHACO" [who has worked 15 years before from Europe, governments and civil society contribute to improving the human rights situation in Colombia], "specifically asked the European Union requiring combat Bogotá impunity and to ask the Colombian government to publicly support the work of defenders, "says his spokesman. Throughout the territory
Colombian human rights defenders at risk and are unprotected. The High Commissioner highlighted that "particular concern are the murders, threats and harassment against those who work for the rights of displaced persons, especially women leaders of women's groups and the restitution of land, particularly in Cauca, Sucre and Urabá." OIDHACO also views with concern the latest news of what's happening in the departments of Valle and Cauca-southwest of Bogota, and Santander-northeast, where in 2010 showed the majority of assaults and murders against defenders. Nine of the defenders were killed last year in the Department of quack. "In rural areas, where are indigenous, Afro-Colombians and peasants, who clamor for the army, paramilitary and guerrilla groups do not interfere in the war and where many villages have been razed and their inhabitants killed or displaced, the State maintains complete checkout both its people and their leaders who fight for the rights of their community, "says Valli.
In recent days, the paramilitary group called the United Self-Defense of Colombia, Carlos Vásquez Castaño emerging command, issued a statement threatening to kill half the population of the department of Cauca -With 1,300,000, or so-because, they say "all criminals." This pamphlet was distributed in various parts of this department, and it includes the name of 72 persons, of which he says, "will be written off, many of them" for collaborating with the guerrillas. " On that list is the recognized leader in the region's indigenous Quilcué Aida Maria, whom he killed her husband, also a defender of indigenous rights. These threats are specific to indigenous peoples: "we will be relentless with indigenous leaders and their lobbyists ... who live in multimillion-dollar investments that are intended for these miserable animals ...".
International Bureau of Human Rights and Action for Colombia
Linières Rue 11, B 1060 Brussels-Belgium
Tels : 0032 25361913 0032 25361932
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