About us
In October 2007, following the visit of the international representative of the Agricultural Workers Union Federation of Colombia (FENSUAGRO), to Australia, a number of activists and trade unionists across Australia decided to form a network initiative called “Peace & Justice for Colombia” (PJFC).
As it is well known Colombia endures a 40 year, protracted social and armed conflict between armed guerrilla forces and national oligarchies controlling the state. Over the last 20 years, and particularly during the second term of the government of Alvaro Uribe the Colombian conflict has intensified and with it the violations of the rights of the civilian population. Among them forced displacement of rural workers and peasants, extra-judicial executions, tortured and mistreatment of political prisoners and the assassinations of trade unionists and social activists. Last year alone 40 trade unionists were killed bringing the total of trade unionists killed in Colombia to more than 2,574 in the last decade.
Today Colombia remains the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist or social movement leader.
Our objectives
Peace & Justice for Colombia aims:
- To provide support to the Agricultural Workers Union Federation of Colombia (FENSUAGRO) in their struggle for human rights, trade union rights, a comprehensive land reform, peace and social justice.
- To work closely with other organizations in Australia that are building solidarity with Colombia in campaigning against the human rights abuses carried out against trade unionists and other activists in Colombia by the Colombian state security forces and paramilitary groups.
- To campaign in support of the humanitarian agreement between the government and the armed guerrilla forces, as a first step towards a peace process that gives political solution to the social and armed conflict in Colombia.
PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR COLOMBIA (PJFC)
For more information write to: info@colombiasolidarity.net
