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Aug
27
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PUBLIC STATEMENT
Bogota D.C. Colombia, 27th August 2008
The National Unitarian Federation of Agrarian Unions, FENSUAGRO – CUT (Colombia), denounces the siege and continued harassment against Alirio Garcia, FENSUAGRO’s attorney.
FACTS
On 16 July 2008 at 10:30 AM when Mr. Arilio, FENSUAGRO’s attorney was leaving his home at Diela suburb, of Armenia City, Quíndio. He noticed that from a parked blue Rodeo Ute with tinted windows and plate number BIB-815 that a man and a woman were filming Arilio’s residence. They remain parked for a few minutes before leaving.
WE DEMAND TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT:
- To conduct an investigation to determine the activities of those unknown persons, who intimidate, terrorize and provoking fear to members of our leadership as well as to investigate the origin of the above mentioned vehicle.
- That the persecution, threats and assassinations against FENSUAGRO leaders and officials cease.
- “We stress that Human Rights protection is vested in the Colombian Constitution and in the international agreements and treatments signed by the Colombian State. Therefore it is a judicial obligation to prevent human rights violations and to undertake the necessary measures to investigate, identify, judge and sanction those responsible for their actions or omissions, or to take the necessary administrative and political corrective measures to prevent these crimes continuing to be perpetrated”
We urge the national and international community to:
- Call on the Colombian government to protect the life, safeguard the physical and psychological integrity of our leaders and members as well as to guarantee the right to remain in the country to all our members and leaders to exercise their freedom to carry out trade union work and the right to organize.
- Reject all acts of intimidation and harassment carried out by unknown individuals who continue spreading fear and terror among union, social and popular organizations.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
AIDEE MORENO IBAGUE
FENSUAGRO – CUT
COLOMBIA
