On April 13 of this year, the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia attacked Senator Piedad Córdoba with absurd and unfounded accusations while she was out of the country. She was in Europe for the European Tour for Peace in Colombia and the Humanitarian Agreement (EUROPAZ2010), seeking support to promote peace in her country and a non-military solution to the armed conflict. This happened just a few weeks after she served as a mediator, securing the freedom of soldiers being held by the belligerent forces of the FARC.

STATEMENT IN DEFENCE OF PIEDAD CÓRDOBA

In the face of unfair and false accusations of the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia, against this defender of peace, human rights, a humanitarian agreement and a non-military solution to the Colombian conflict:

We reject the accusations made by the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia against Senator PIEDAD CÓRDOBA RUIZ on April 13, 2010, which is accused of having defended and maintained ties to the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) organization beyond what we believe is reasonable and necessary for negotiations in order to secure the release of soldiers being held by FARC.

The aim of these accusations is to immobilize and neutralize the activities of peace organizations in Colombia, such as the one represented by Senator Piedad Córdoba. It is part of a plan designed by Colombia’s DAS (Department of Administrative Security), which includes all forms of intimidation, extortion and death threats against anyone who opposing the narco-paramilitary government of Alvaro Uribe Velez and its policy of war. Uribe’s attack on the Senator foreshadows the “chuzadas” or wiretapping scandal of DAS aimed to eliminate judges, journalists and politicians opposed to the criminal government.

The accusations are baseless and absurd. The Attorney General’s Office alleged ‘proof’ was obtained on March 1, 2008 from laptop computers which the Colombian government claims was recovered following the illegal bombing of a FARC encampment carried out on Ecuadorian territory. According to INTERPOL, Uribe’s ‘proof’ does not meet internationally recognized standards for handling electronic evidence, the computers and hard drives from which data is obtained, and the chain of custody of information contained within them. These computers were tampered by Colombian authorities.

Uribe’s ‘proof’ was used to persecute and suppress many opponents within the Colombian parliament, such as Jorge Robledo, Gloria Inés Ramírez and Jaime Caycedo of the centre-left party “Polo Democrático”.

Senator Piedad Córdoba has recently completed the first leg of her European Tour for Peace in Colombia and the Humanitarian Agreement (EUROPAZ2010), which has received enormous support internationally. The tour has been a success and has even exceeded expectations for obtaining support for the cause of peace in Colombia. These attacks launched by Uribe, however baseless and absurd, will not deter the senator from the struggle in Colombia or negatively impact her support from the hundreds of social organizations around the world devoted to peace and social justice. On the contrary, Uribe’s attacks will help to increase her support and strengthen solidarity with the people of Colombia.

In defence of peace, a humanitarian agreement and a non-military solution to the armed conflict in Colombia, we firmly support the policies and aims of this senator and her organization, “Colombianas y Colombianos por la Paz”  (Colombians for Peace).

In the interests of peace and social justice for the Colombian people, we denounce and strenuously request that the accusations unjustly made through the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia be withdrawn immediately.

With Piedad Córdoba, with the organization “Colombianas y Colombianos por la Paz”, with the peoples organizations of Colombia, and our friends internationally who fight for peace, a humanitarian agreement, and a just and non-military solution to the armed conflict in Colombia, we declare and maintain our support for change in Colombia. We endorse this statement by listing our names below.

http//www.apoyoapiedadcordoba.net

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

COMUNICADO EN DEFENSA DE PIEDAD CÓRDOBA.

Ante las  injustas y falsas acusaciones de la Procuraduría General de la Nación de Colombia, contra la defensora de la paz, los Derechos Humanos, el Acuerdo Humanitario, y una salida no militar al conflicto colombiano.

Los/as abajo firmantes, rechazamos las acusaciones formuladas por la Procuraduría General de Colombia contra la senadora PIEDAD CÓRDOBA RUIZ el día 13 de abril de 2010, según las cuales la senadora habría incurrido en apología y tendría vínculos con la organización de las FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia), más allá de lo razonable y lo necesario en las gestiones realizadas en la mediación con este grupo armado para la liberación de varios militares retenidos.

Estas acusaciones, que tienen la finalidad de inmovilizar o entorpecer la acción de las organizaciones de activistas por la paz en Colombia, como la que representa la senadora Piedad Córdoba, se enmarcan en un plan previamente diseñado por el DAS (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad) de Colombia, que incluye  todo tipo de presión, extorsión y amenazas a todo lo que representa la oposición al Gobierno y su política guerrerista. En este sentido, no existe duda alguna de la relación entre esta acusación contra Piedad Córdoba y el escándalo de las llamadas “chuzadas” del DAS a magistrados, periodistas y políticos de la oposición colombiana.

Por otra parte, se trata de unas acusaciones infundadas y absurdas, toda vez que la Procuraduría obtiene las pruebas en informaciones contenidas en las supuestas computadoras que el Gobierno colombiano dice que recuperó, tras el bombardeo ilegal que ejecutó contra Ecuador el pasado 1 de marzo de 2008, bajo la excusa de desmantelar un campamento temporal de las FARC. El acceso a los datos de dichas computadoras, no se ajustó a los principios reconocidos internacionalmente para el tratamiento de pruebas electrónicas por parte de los organismos encargados de la aplicación de la ley, según informes oficiales de la propia INTERPOL. Es decir, en el tratamiento de las computadoras y los discos duros, se rompió la cadena de custodia de la información contenida.

Este mismo recurso fue empleado por el Gobierno de Uribe para perseguir y reprimir a muchos opositores de su gobierno, como Jorge Robledo, Gloria Inés Ramírez y el concejal Jaime Caycedo (los tres del partido Polo Democrático).

La senadora Piedad Córdoba acaba de finalizar la primera parte de la Gira Europea por la Paz en Colombia y el Acuerdo Humanitario, EUROPAZ2010, que tiene un enorme respaldo social internacional, viendo ampliamente cumplidas sus expectativas en la búsqueda y obtención de apoyos para la causa de la Paz para Colombia. En este sentido, cualquier acusación contra Piedad Córdoba, por dura y absurda que parezca, no conseguirá que la senadora desista en la causa justa de la lucha por paz, ni reducirá un ápice el apoyo que ella tiene entre las centenares de organizaciones sociales, sino más bien al contrario, contribuirá a ir en aumento.

Apoyamos decididamente la lucha de esta senadora y su organización, Colombianas y Colombianos por la Paz, en la defensa de la Paz, el Acuerdo Humanitario y la salida no militar del conflicto armado que vive Colombia.

En aras de la paz y de la justicia para el pueblo colombiano, rechazamos y solicitamos enérgicamente que se retiren, de manera inmediata,  las acusaciones injustamente formuladas por la Procuraduría de Colombia en contra de la Senadora Piedad Córdoba.

Con Piedad Córdoba, con la organización Colombianas y Colombianos por la Paz, y con las organizaciones y personas de Colombia y del mundo que luchan por la paz, el acuerdo humanitario y una salida no militar y con justicia al conflicto armado de Colombia, mantenemos el apoyo y nos adherimos al presente comunicado.

http//www.apoyoapiedadcordoba.net

Ref:  60/35/012

23 April, 2010

Señor Presidente Àlvaro Uribe Vélez

Presidente de la República

Palacio de Nariño

Carrera 8 No.7-26

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

Email: auribe@presidencia.gov.co

Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente Uribe,

Re:  Dr Miguel Angel Beltrán

I am writing to you on behalf of the National Tertiary Education Union of Australia (NTEU) which represents 26,000 staff employed in Australian universities and is an affiliate of Education International.

We are very concerned about the case of Colombian academic Dr Miguel Angel Beltrán who has been detained under high security since May 2009.  We understand that his trial commenced on 12 April 2010, and are extremely concerned that the case may be predetermined and not be conducted in a fair or transparent manner.

It is our belief that Miguel Angel Beltrán is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his public comments and research on the political situation in Colombia, and we reject Government claims that he is a “guerilla”, “a recruiter of terrorists” and “in concert to break the law with terrorists”.  We strongly condemn the actions of the Colombian authorities in detaining Miguel Angel Beltrán for an extensive period of time without charge as a violation of his fundamental human right to freedom of expression and to academic freedom.

NTEU would like you to note the support for Miguel Angel Beltrán from other NGOs including the Universities and Colleges Union – United Kingdom (UCU UK) and the Latin American Sociology Association (ALAS), and respectfully urge you to ensure that independent international observers are allowed to be present at Miguel Angel Beltrán’s trial.

We trust this matter will receive your most urgent attention.

Yours sincerely,

GRAHAME MCCULLOCH

General Secretary

cc  The Hon. Stephen Smith, MP – Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)

Mr Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary, Education International

Santiago de Cali, 8th April 2010

Eight miners were murdered by armed men travelling in two vehicles and a motor bike. The killings occurred in a place known as “Alto de Ovejas”, a rural zone in the municipality of Suárez, department of Cauca, southern Colombia. The place where the massacre occurred is the upper part of the Ovejas river. It can be reached by a one and a half hour journey on foot.

We, the undersigned organizations, have warned of the serious situation caused by the social and armed conflict which the municipalities in the Northwest of Cauca are experiencing, especially in the Municipalities of Suarez, Morales and Buenos Aires. We urgently demand an explanation from the National Government as to why, despite numerous demands for protection for communities in the zone and despite the large numbers of military and police contingents deployed in the areas, the perpetrators of this massacre were completely free to enter the territory, commit the crime and leave again with impunity.

A fact finding mission, composed of the Process of Black Communities, the Association of Indigenous Cabildos from the North of Cauca and the Association for Research and Social Action, NOMADESC, is in the zone in order to make more information available. Unfortunately, no international organization was able to accompany this commission. Because of this, we call upon you to briefly write to the Colombian state, demanding that it takes immediate preventative action and pays attention to the entire population in northwest Cauca. At the same time, we call on the United Nations system to carry out a fact finding visit to the zone as fast as possible. For our part, we will make the information widely available as soon as the work of the fact finding mission has completed its work in the territory.

Background

All of you remember the numerous denunciations which the afrodescendant, peasant farmer and indigenous communities, together with human rights organizations, have made to the national and international community concerning the barbarity which is being imposed on the zone and the dispossession which the ancestral communities living in the territory have been subjected to. Legal proceedings are currently underway against those responsible, in deed and through neglect, for the crimes committed. There is also an investigation underway concerning the responsibility of the multinationals Unión Fenosa, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Smurfit Kappa Cartón de Colombia and Cosigo Resources.  However, despite the enormous efforts which communities have made to ensure preventative and protective measures are implemented, the inhabitants of the zone are still in imminent danger, and the level of impunity is 100%.

ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE TERRITORY

1.- 5th November 2009 Hearing about the Situation of the Afrocolombian, Indigenous and Peasant Communities in the North of Cauca before the Interamerican Commission on Human Rights, Organization of American States in Washington: During the hearing evidence of the serious situation, vulnerability and threats against the communities, miners, peasants and indigenous people was presented. As such, the ongoing violation of the free and informed Consulta Previa (Prior Consultation) was denounced, as was the violation of the application of environmental management plans; Law 70, indigenous legislation and the non-fulfilment of the Constitutional Court’s directives 004 and 005. During the hearing, demands were made that representatives of the Colombian government must undertake immediate preventative and protective actions for the communities in the zone. Result: the government has still not granted the protective mechanisms announced in front of the Commissioners of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in the Organization of American States.^[1]

2.- 10^th December 2009, Public Hearing in Defence of Territory, Culture and Dignity of the Indigenous, Afrodescendant, and Peasant Communities of the Northwest of Cauca: In the Hearing Convened by the Human Rights Commission of the Senate of the Republic, at the petition of the communities and the Association NOMADESC, a mapping of the conflict was carried out. Specific cases of human rights violations were detailed, and the findings of the investigations into who may be responsible for the crimes committed were presented. The communities and human rights organizations warned of the presence of armed actors in the zone, namely the self named Águilas Negras [Black Eagles] who seem to be responsible for a wave of threats which was unleashed in the month of October 2009. Additionally, demands were made to revise the legislation which benefits multinationals present in the zone at the expense of the rights of the communities. Result: proceedings are currently underway to request information about the multinationals which have concessions in the zone [and] armed actors, information about the results of the investigations for crimes which have occurred in the zone, and about high level meetings with the state institutions^[2].

3.- 17th January  2010 Fact Finding Mission of Acción Permanente por la Paz [Permanent Action for Peace]^[3]: A mission with 10 delegates from the United States travelled to the zone and visited the communities of Suarez, including the afrodescendant communities which are dedicated to artisanal mining in the area of La Toma as well as the Indigenous communities of Cerro Tijeras. This mission heard from the affected population. Result: An intervention in front of the national government demanding protection for the communities and territories affected by serious crimes against humanity.

4.- 27^th January  2010 Delegation from the Spanish State, Fact Finding Mission of the human rights situation in Colombia: This mission did not travel to the territory but held meetings with relevant social sectors in the City of Santiago de Cali. In these meetings participants in the mission had the opportunity to hear the testimonies of the social and armed conflict which people in the territory are experiencing, and the vulnerability which the indigenous, afrodescendant and peasant communities who live in the zone are suffering. Result: The delegation from the Spanish State made a public declaration in which they presented their conclusions and proposals concerning the situation. ^[4]

5.- [1^st – 12^th February 2010] Visit of an independent expert from the United Nations on the Question of Minorities, Commissioned by the United Nations Minorities section, GAY McDOUGALL: visited the district of la Toma in the Municipality of Suarez, covering the whole of the territory, and visited the mines where she heard first hand the denunciations of the afrodescendant communities which live in the zone, through the testimonies of leaders of the community, the representatives of the Communitarian Councils and the Process of Black Communities (PCN). Ms McDOUGALL committed to undertake follow up actions about the serious human rights violations and to demand that the Colombian government complies with national and international human rights law. The independent expert carried out this visit in the company of Mr. DANIEL ATCHEBRO, Coordinator in Cali of the Colombian Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, together with other delegates the organization. Result: At the end of her visit, the independent expert issued a declaration and warned that the authorities needed to put a lot of work into regaining the confidence of these people and ordered the Ministry of Defence to protect these communities.^[5]

These latest killings confirm, yet again, that the national government and the protective bodies completely lack the POLITICAL WILL to comply with national and international human rights law. It is extremely worrying that despite these pronouncements from the international community, the judicial processes, the denunciations, Hearings, demands and requests, etc, that the Colombian state still does not guarantee the lives of the inhabitants of the communities.

Because of this, we demand once again that the National Government gives an immediate response to the communities in the vicinity of where human rights are repeatedly violated, especially in relation to the sad deeds which resulted in the murder of 8 miners.

ASOCIACIÓN PARA LA INVESTIGACIÓN Y ACCIÓN SOCIAL NOMADESC [Association for Investigation and Social Action NOMADESC)

PROCESO DE COMUNIDADES NEGRAS PCN [Process of Black Communities, PCN]

ASOCIACION DE CABILDOS  INDIGENAS DEL NORTE DEL CAUCA ACIN [Association of Indigenous Cabildos from North Cauca, ACIN]

CONCEJO COMUNITARIO  LA TOMA [Comunitarian Council of La Toma]

COORPORACION SERVICIOS PROFESIONALES COMUNITARIOS SEMBRAR [Corporation of Professional Comunitarian Services SEMBRAR]

ASOCIACION DE MUJERES MUNICIPALES DE LA BALSA [Association of Women from the Municipality of La Balsa]

ASOCIACIÓN ECATE [Assocation ECATE]

RED DE HERMANDAD Y SOLIDARIDAD CON COLOMBIA REDHER [Fraternal and Solidarity Network with Colombia, REHER ]

CAMPAÑA PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR [Campaign Never to Forget]

RECOMMENDED ACTION/ ACCIÓN SOLICITADA

Favor dirigir comunicaciones a / Please send letters to:

Send messages demanding that the Colombian state authorities:

a) ensure the well-being of the investigation commission currently visiting the scene of the murders at “Alto de Ovejas” in the municipality of Suárez and

b) take immediate preventative action to protect the entire population in northwest Cauca.

ALVARO URIBE VELEZ
Presidente de la República
Carrera 8 No. 7 -26 Palacio de Nariño Bogotá
Fax. 5662071

FRANCISCO SANTOS
Vicepresidente de la República
Carrera 8 No.7-57 Bogotá D.C.
fsantos@presidencia.gov.co

General FREDY PADILLA
Ministro de la Defensa (E)
Avenida El dorado con carrera 52 CAN Bogotá D.C.
siden@mindefensa.gov.co
infprotocol@mindefensa.gov.co
mdn@cable.net.co

FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO
Ministro del Interior y de Justicia
Avenida El dorado con carrera 52 CAN Bogotá D.C.
Fax. 2221874
ministro@minjusticia.gov.co

GUILLERMO MENDOZA DIAGO
Fiscal General de la Nación
Diagonal 22B No. 52-01 Bogotá D.C.
Fax. 570 20 00
contacto@fiscalia.gov.co
denuncie@fiscalia.gov.co

WOLMAR ANTONIO PEREZ ORTIZ
Defensor del Pueblo
Calle 55 No. 10 – 32 Bogotá D.C.
Fax. 640 04 91
defensoria@defensoria.org.co
secretaria_privada@hotmail.com

ALEJANDRO ORDÓÑEZ
Procurador General de la Nación
Cra. 5 No.15 – 80F Bogotá D.C.

anticorrupción@presidencia.gov.co
reygon@procuraduría.gov.co

Please send copies of your letters to:

ASOCIACION NOMADESC
Accionjuridica.nomadesc@gmail.com
CAMPAÑA PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR
dhprohibidolvidar@yahoo.com

PROCESO DE COMUNIDADES NEGRAS
pcnkol.bogota@renacientes.net

Colombia Solidarity Campaign adds:

1. Send messages to your local Colombian Embassy, in the UK email: elondres@cancilleria.gov.co and mail@colombianembassy.co.uk

2. More information:

A short video report showing community opposition to open pit gold extraction at Suarez Las Multinacionales todo lo quieren llevar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC5_htDPJPM&feature=related

And a workers protest in Bogotá Caravana contra las multinacionales y grupos economicos nacionales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0o-LjkjRik&feature=related

* * * * *

Español:

S.O.S. MASACRE ANUNCIADA EN ZONA MINERA DEL MUNICIPIO DE EN SUAREZ CAUCA

Santiago de Cali, 8 de Abril de 2010

Ocho mineros fueron asesinados por hombres armados que se trasportaban en dos vehículos y una moto,  los hechos ocurrieron en el sitio conocido como “Alto de Ovejas”  zona rural del municipio de Suárez, en el departamento de Cauca, sur de Colombia. El sitio donde ocurrió la masacre es la parte alta del río Ovejas y se llega por carretera en un recorrido de casi una hora y una  hora a pie.

Las Organizaciones abajo firmantes quienes habíamos advertido la grave situación de conflicto social y armado  que se vive en los municipios del Noroccidente del Cauca, en particular en los Municipios de  Suarez, Morales y Buenos Aires, demandamos de manera perentoria explicación del Gobierno Nacional porque pese a las innumerables solicitudes de protección a las comunidades de la zona  y del numeroso contingente militar y de policía que se encuentra en el área, los autores de esta masacre tuvieron toda la libertad de ingresar en el territorio cometer el hecho y salir impunemente.

Una misión de verificación, compuesta por el Proceso de Comunidades Negras PCN, la Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca y la Asociación para la Investigación y Acción social NOMADESC  se encuentra en la zona con el objetivo de ampliar la información. Lastimosamente ningún organismo internacional pudo acompañar esta comisión por lo cual solicitamos a ustedes pronunciarse por escrito a la mayor brevedad exigiendo al estado colombiano acciones inmediatas de prevención y atención para toda la población del noroccidente del Cauca. A su vez solicitamos al sistema de Naciones Unidas, realizar una visita de verificación a la zona lo más pronto posible. Por nuestra parte ampliaremos la información tan pronto se terminen las labores de la comisión de verificación en el territorio.

ANTECEDENTES

Todos ustedes recordaran las diversas denuncias que las comunidades afrodescendientes, Campesinas,  indígenas y organizaciones de derechos humanos hemos  efectuado ante la comunidad nacional e internacional  acerca de la barbarie impuesta en la zona y del despojo al que han sometido a las comunidades que ancestralmente habitan el territorio.   En la actualidad se siguen procesos jurídicos en contra de los responsables por acción y por omisión de los crímenes cometidos así mismo se investiga la responsabilidad de las multinacionales Unión Fenosa, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Smurfit kappa Cartón de Colombia y Cosigo Resources.  Sin embargo pese a los ingentes esfuerzos de las  comunidades para generar mecanismos de prevención y protección la situación de riesgo de los pobladores de la zona es inminente y la impunidad del 100%.

ACCIONES PARA PROTEGER EL TERRITORIO

1.- Noviembre 5 de 2010 Audiencia Situación de las Comunidades Afrocolombianas Indígenas y Campesinas del Norte del Cauca en la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos de la OEA en Washitong: Durante la audiencia se presentaron pruebas de la grave situación, vulnerabilidad y amenaza contra las comunidades mineras, campesinas e indígenas. Así mismo se denuncio la permanente violación a  la Consulta Previa, libre e informada;   la aplicación de los planes de manejo ambiental;   la  ley 70, legislación indígena y los incumplimientos a las directivas 004 y 005 de la Corte Constitucional. En dicha audiencia se solicito a los representantes del  Gobierno Colombiano  emprender acciones inmediatas de prevención y protección a las comunidades de la zona. Resultado: El gobierno a un no ha otorgado los mecanismos de protección anunciados ante los Comisionados de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos humanos de la OEA.  ^[6]

2.- Diciembre 10 de 2010  Audiencia Pública por la Defensa del Territorio, la Cultura y la Dignidad de las Comunidades Indígenas, Afrodescendientes y Campesinas del Noroccidente del Cauca: En la Audiencia Convocada por la Comisión de derechos Humanos del Senado de la República a Petición de las comunidades  y de la Asociación NOMADESC, se efectuó una radiografía del conflicto, se detallaron los casos de violación a los derechos humanos y se presentaron las investigaciones sobre los posibles responsables de los crímenes cometidos. Las comunidades y organizaciones de derechos humanos advirtieron la presencia de actores armados en la zona un grupo autodenominado Águilas Negras al parecer responsable de la ola de amenazas que se desato desde el mes de Octubre de 2010. Adicionalmente se solicito revisar la legislación que beneficia a las multinacionales que hacen presencia en esta zona,  en contra vía de los derechos de las comunidades.  Resultado: Se encuentra en trámite la solicitud de información sobre las multinacionales que tienen concesiones en la zona actores armados, información sobre los resultados de las investigaciones por los crímenes que han ocurrido en la zona y reuniones de alto nivel con las instituciones del Estado.  ^[7]

3.-  Enero 17 de 2010 Misión de Verificación de  Acción Permanente por la Paz^[8]: Una misión con 10 delegados de los Estados Unidos viajo a la zona y visito a las comunidades de Suarez, entre ellos las comunidades Afrodescendientes que se dedican a la minería artesanal  en el corregimiento de La Toma y comunidades indígenas de Cerro Tijeras. Esta misión escucho a la población afectada. Resultado: Incidencia ante gobierno nacional para que proteja las comunidades y el territorio afectado por graves crímenes de lesa humanidad.

4.- Enero 27 de 2010 Delegación del Estado Español Misión de Verificación de la situación de derechos humanos en Colombia: Esta misión no viajo hasta el territorio pero en sus reuniones con los sectores sociales en la Ciudad de Santiago de Cali tuvo la oportunidad de conocer los testimonios del conflicto social y armado que se vive en el territorio, la vulnerabilidad en la que se encuentran las comunidades indígenas, afrodescendientes y campesinas que habitan la zona. Resultado: La delegación del Estado Español efectuó un pronunciamiento público en donde presentan sus conclusiones y propuestas frente a la situación. ^[9]

5.- Visita de la Experta Independiente de Naciones Unidas Sobre Cuestiones de Minorías  comisionada para Minorías de Naciones Unidas GAY MACDOUGALL: Visto el Corregimiento la Toma del Municipio de Suarez, recorrió todo el territorio visito las minas y escucho las denuncias directas de las comunidades afro descendientes que habitan la zona de los líderes de la comunidad,  los representantes de los  Concejos Comunitarios y del Proceso de Comunidades Negras PCN y  se comprometió a efectuar acciones de seguimiento sobre la grave situación de Violación de derechos Humanos  y demandar del gobierno colombiano cumplimiento a las normas nacionales e internacionales de respeto de los derechos humanos. La Experta independiente efectuó la visita  en Compañía del Sr. DANIEL ATCHEBRO, Coordinador en Cali de la Oficina en Colombia del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos y otros delegados de la Organización. Resultado: Al término de su visita la experta independiente emitió una declaración y  advirtió que las autoridades tienen mucho por hacer para recuperar la confianza de estas personas e instó al Ministro de Defensa para que proteja a estas comunidades.^[10]

Queda una vez más comprobado que no existe VOLUNTAD POLITICA  del Gobierno nacional y de los organismos de protección para cumplir con las normas nacionales e internacionales de respeto a los derechos humanos. Es absolutamente preocupante que pese a los pronunciamientos de la comunidad internacional, las judicializaciones, denuncias, Audiencias, demandas, solicitudes etc.,   el Estado colombiano no haya brindado garantías para la vida de las comunidades.

Por lo anterior demandamos una vez más del Gobierno Nacional  respuestas inmediatas  a las comunidades acerca de  la reiterada violación a los derechos humanos en particular sobre los lamentables hechos en los que perdieron la vida 8 mineros.

^[2] Further information can be found at: http://www.prensarural.org/spip/spip.php?article3544, ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKhdh_-Lxzs

^[3] For more information see: http://www.nuestraamerica.info/leer.hlvs/1283

^[4] The full report can be found here: http://www.pazcondignidad.org/spip.php?article346

^[5] The report can be found here: http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=9821&LangID=e

^[6] Escuchar audiencia http://www.oas.org/es/

^[7] Amplíe información en:   http://www.prensarural.org/spip/spip.php?article3544,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKhdh_-Lxzs

^[8] Más información   http://www.nuestraamerica.info/leer.hlvs/1283

^[9] Ver informe completo  http://www.pazcondignidad.org/spip.php?article346

^[10] Ver informe www2.ohchr.org/english/…/expert/…/Colombia_Statement_12022010_sp.doc

TRASPASA LOS MUROS: CAMPAÑA PERMANENTE DE SOLIDARIDAD CON LAS DETENIDAS Y LOS DETENIDOS POLÍTICOS

ACCIÓN URGENTE

LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA, PRISIONERA POLÍTICA DE CONCIENCIA, PADECE AMENAZA DE TRASLADO POR DENUNCIAR ABUSOS COMETIDOS POR GUARDIANAS DE LA RECLUSIÓN DE MUJERES EL BUEN PASTOR DE BOGOTÁ – COLOMBIA.

La Campaña Traspasa Los Muros denuncia a la Comunidad Nacional e Internacional que el INPEC usa el traslado como represalia contra los prisioneros políticos en Colombia, cuando denuncian violaciones o amenazas de sus derechos fundamentales.

Respaldamos las peticiones de la Prisionera Política LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA y exigimos al Estado Colombiano garantizar sus derechos fundamentales, especialmente su derecho a la cercanía familiar, y en consecuencia ABSTENERSE DE TRASLADARLA a otro sitio de reclusión, puesto que su núcleo familiar reside en la ciudad de Bogotá, lugar donde también se adelanta el proceso penal en su contra, dentro del cual tiene la calidad de SINDICADA, y se encuentra en detención preventiva.

Solicitamos a las Comunidad Nacional e Internacional emitir sus pronunciamientos respaldando la Acción Urgente que ha presentado la Prisionera Política, enviando sus comunicaciones a las direcciones abajo relacionadas.

Para su mayor conocimiento REENVIEAMOS el texto completo de la acción urgente:

***

Reclusión de Mujeres de Bogota, Colombia

Marzo 8 de 2010

Doctor:
FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO

Ministro de Justicia de Colombia

E. S. D.

Coronel (r):

CARLOS ALBERTO BARRAGÁN GALINDO

Director General del INPEC

E.   S.  D.

Doctora:

ANA SOFÍA HIDALGO

Directora Reclusión de Mujeres de Bogota

E.  S.  D.

Doctor:

WOLMAR PEREZ ORTIZ

Defensor Nacional del Pueblo

E.  S.  D.

Doctor:

RÓMULO MURILLO

Procuraduría General de La Nación

E.       S.       D.

Señores:

ORGANISMOS NACIONALES E INTERNACIONALES

DEFENSORES DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

E.       S.       D.

Referencia: ACCIÓN URGENTE

Cordial saludo.

LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA, identificada con cédula de ciudadanía No. 30.745.041, Prisionera Política de Conciencia en condición de SINDICADA, actualmente privada de la libertad en el patio 6 de la Reclusión de Mujeres de Bogotá “El Buen Pastor”, con TD 065593, me dirijo a sus despachos para solicitar su ACCIÓN URGENTE, en razón a la persecución que vengo padeciendo por parte de guardianas del INPEC que podrían derivar en un TRASLADO COMO RETALIACIÓN por las denuncias que he interpuesto contra las guardianas DIANA SALINAS, ESPERANZA GAONA, MÓNICA VALVUENA, LEIDY PAOLA ROMERO, ZOILA PEÑALOSA, DAYANA CRISTINA AGUILAR Y MARIA DEL CARMEN MARTÍNEZ LEIVA; temo ser alejada arbitrariamente de mi núcleo familiar, por lo que solicito su intervención inmediata para prevenir violaciones a mis derechos humanos y a los derechos fundamentales de mis hijos menores de edad.

ANTECEDENTES

Soy madre cabeza de familia de los menores de edad CAMILO ERNESTO INSUASTY OBANDO, de 16 años de edad, y LAURA VELASQUEZ OBANDO, de 6 años de edad, quienes siempre han dependido totalmente de mí y han estado bajo mi cuidado; he sido una mujer responsable y trabajadora y me he esforzado por brindarle a mis hijos todo lo que han necesitado, pero en razón a mi detención mis hijos se encuentran a cargo de mi madre de avanzada edad.

Soy Licenciada en Lenguas Modernas de la Universidad de Nariño y Socióloga de la Universidad Nacional, en el momento de mi detención estaba cursando la maestría en “Estudios Políticos y Relaciones Internacionales” en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Así mismo, me desempeñaba como defensora de derechos humanos en La Federación Nacional Sindical Unitaria Agropecuaria (FENSUAGRO).

Estoy siendo judicializada arbitrariamente por los delitos de rebelión y administración de recursos, en razón al trabajo que desarrollaba en defensa de los derechos de los trabajadores del agro, por ello me considero Prisionera Política de Conciencia victima de un montaje judicial.

Fui detenida por órdenes de la Fiscalía General de la Nación el 8 de agosto de 2008, y actualmente ostento la condición de SINDICADA dentro del proceso penal adelantado por el Juez Noveno Penal del Circuito Especializado de Bogotá, OSCAR GUSTAVO JAIMES VILLAMIZAR.

Durante mi detención se me ha negado la casa por cárcel, derecho constitucional al que tengo como madre cabeza de familia.

HECHOS

1. Desde el mes de abril del año 2009 a la fecha, he denunciado el abuso de autoridad que han cometido guardianas en el patio 6 de la Reclusión de Mujeres el Buen Pastor, contra las prisioneras políticas que allí habitamos, tales como requisas degradantes en horas nocturnas, comportamiento hostil, maltrato verbal y psicológico, amenazas verbales de traslado, irrespeto a la dignidad humana, obstrucción de visitas de abogados, engaños con fines de sometimiento a interrogatorios ilegales, decomiso arbitrario de artículos autorizados, entre otros. (Ver denuncias anexas con fecha abril 18 de 2009, septiembre 2 de 2009, septiembre 9 de 2009, diciembre 2 de 2009 y diciembre 30 de 2009).
2. Además de las denuncias escritas, en diferentes oportunidades he denunciado de manera verbal los atropellos de la guardia, especialmente los cometidos a partir del mes de septiembre del año pasado, con la finalidad que se cese el maltrato dado a las prisioneras, especialmente el maltrato al que me han sometido, puesto que he tenido que soportar injurias y señalamientos por parte de la guardia, para lo cual han utilizado información de reserva de mi proceso, ejemplo de ello es el falso y constante señalamiento publico que la dragoneante DIANA SALINAS ha hecho tildándome de ser la amante del abatido miembro de las FARC alias Raúl Reyes, hecho totalmente falso que además viola el debido proceso y la presunción de inocencia.
3. Por mis constantes reclamos se me ha excluido de participar en actividades de derechos humanos que se han realizado en la reclusión y se ha obstaculizado la visita de mis abogados y defensores de derechos humanos que hacen seguimiento a mi condición de reclusión, a quienes les han informado falsamente que yo me opongo a recibir sus visitas.
4. El 30 de diciembre de 2009, las prisioneras políticas fuimos objeto de una requisa arbitraria protagonizada por las funcionarias LEIDY PAOLA ROMERO, ZOILA PEÑALOSA, DAYANA CRISTINA AGUILAR y la teniente MARÍA DEL CARMEN MARTINEZ LEIVA, quien ese día ejercía de  comandante de vigilancia; en desarrollo de dicha requisa fui maltratada físicamente y me fue decomisado un discman que estaba autorizado por las autoridades competentes del establecimiento; ante mis reclamos la guardia optó por presentar una falsa denuncia contra mi, alegando que yo había agredido a las funcionarias y que portaba un mp3, elemento no autorizado en la reclusión. Prueba de la falsa denuncia es que existen testigos que observaron la agresión de la guardia y que funcionarios de policía judicial me devolvieron el discman en el mes de febrero porque si contaba con la debida autorización.
5. Recientemente tuve conocimiento que la teniente MARÍA DEL CARMEN MARTÍNEZ LEIVA ha solicitado mi traslado a otro sitio de reclusión, aprovechando la falsa denuncia que han presentado las guardianas agresoras; esto constituye una represalia en mi contra que amenaza la cercanía familiar y por ende mis derechos fundamentales y los de mis hijos menores de edad, así como mi condición de sindicada.

CONTEXTO

Estos hechos denunciados, especialmente los ocurridos en el mes de diciembre, han desatado la animadversión de las guardias mencionadas hacia mí, quienes mantienen una actitud de venganza por las quejas formales escritas y verbales que he presentado ante sus jefes inmediatos por sus excesos, abusos y trasgresión de su propio reglamento en lo referido a la “relación y trato con las internas” y extralimitación en el ejercicio de sus funciones.

Todas las quejas y denuncias que he presentado las he fundamentado en las disposiciones de la Constitución Nacional, los Códigos Penal y de Procedimiento Penal, el Código Penitenciario y Carcelario (ley 65 de 1993), el Decreto 407 de 1994, las Reglas Mínimas para el Tratamiento de los Reclusos y otras Reglas Internacionales en lo que respecta al trato digno y respetuoso de nuestros derechos humanos como personas privadas de la libertad.

Durante todo el tiempo que he estado privada de la libertad he mantenido una conducta ejemplar, aportando a la convivencia pacifica en el patio 6 donde me encuentro, donde ninguna de mis compañeras de reclusión tiene ni ha presentado queja alguna por mi comportamiento.

Igualmente, en ocho (8) ocasiones he solicitado prisión domiciliaria en mi condición de madre cabeza de hogar, mis hijos menores de edad dependen de mí, sin embargo, las peticiones han sido negadas, y no bastando esta situación, se propone un traslado que desestabilizaría a todo mi núcleo familiar, me alejaría de mis hijos y de mi madre de avanzada edad, y obviamente se constituiría un castigo adicional al que ya padezco con el solo encierro y las limitaciones de mis derechos.

Recuerdo que la responsabilidad primaria de protección de los derechos humanos recae de acuerdo con los principios constitucionales y el articulado de los tratados y Convenios Internacionales sobre el Estado colombiano, al ser éste el sujeto responsable de velar por el cumplimiento de lo consagrado en la Constitución Nacional y por ser el que adquiere los compromisos en materia de derechos humanos y de derecho internacional humanitario ante la comunidad internacional. Por tal razón, su mayor deber jurídico es el de prevenir las violaciones frente a estos derechos y tomar las medidas necesarias para investigar, identificar, juzgar y sancionar a los responsables por su acción u omisión, o tomar las medidas correctivas de carácter administrativo o político que impida que estos crímenes se sigan perpetrando.

PETICIONES

1. Que el Ministerio de Justicia, la Dirección General del INPEC y la Dirección de la Reclusión de Mujeres de Bogota, intervengan urgentemente para que cese el comportamiento de persecución y agresión que he padecido y se me ofrezcan todas las garantías de respeto a mis derechos fundamentales, en consecuencia, NO SE ME TRASLADE DE ESTABLECIMIENTO DE RECLUSIÓN, toda vez que mi núcleo familiar se encuentra en la ciudad de Bogotá y la corte constitucional ha determinado que las y los reclusos deben estar en establecimientos donde se encuentre su núcleo familiar y su proceso, puesto que aún me encuentro en calidad de sindicada y mi proceso lo adelantada un Juez de Bogotá.
2. Que la Procuraduría General de la Nación y la Defensoría del Pueblo ejerzan una vigilancia especial a las denuncias que he presentado y a las investigaciones que se han adelantado contra las funcionarias del INPEC DIANA SALINAS, ESPERANZA GAONA, MÓNICA VALVUENA, LEIDY PAOLA ROMERO, ZOILA PEÑALOSA, DAYANA CRISTINA AGUILAR Y MARIA DEL CARMEN MARTÍNEZ LEIVA, para que se tomen las medidas a que hubiere lugar por su conducta.
3. Que se ejerza una vigilancia permanente para que se garantice que producto de esta denuncia, no se cometerán retaliaciones en mi contra.
4. Que los organismos nacionales e internacionales defensores de derechos humanos, escriban sus cartas de apoyo a esta acción urgente a las siguientes direcciones:

Director Programa Presidencial de DDHH y DIH

CARLOS FRANCO.

E-mail: cefranco@presidencia.gov.co.

Asesor: Fernando Ibarra.

Tel.: +57.1.5659797 o 571 5662064

E-mail: fibarra@presidencia.gov.co

Procurador General de la Nación

ALEJANDRO ORDÓÑEZ MALDONADO

Carrera 5 #. 15-80, Bogotá.

Fax: +57.1.342.97.23; +571.284.79.49. Fax: +57.1.342.97.23;

E-mail: cap@procuraduria.gov.co, quejas@procuraduria.gov.co; y webmaster@procuraduria.gov.co

Defensor Nacional del Pueblo

VOLMAR ANTONIO PÉREZ ORTIZ

Calle 55 # 10-32, Bogotá.

Fax: + 57.1.640.04.91

E-mail: secretaria_privada@hotmail.com; agenda@agenda.gov.co

Director Nacional del INPEC

CARLOS ALBERTO BARRAGÁN GALINDO

Calle 26 No. 27-48, Bogotá.

PBX (57) 2347474 / 2347262

E- mail: reclamos@inpec.gov.co ; Webmaster@inpec.gov.co

Directora Reclusión de Mujeres El Buen Pastor

ANA SOFIA HIDALGO ALVARADO

Cra 47. No. 84 – 25 Barrio Entre Ríos, Bogotá
Teléfono: 6307724 / 6301649 / 6302037 / 2400676 / 6304946
E-mail: rmbogota@inpec.gov.co

Atentamente,

LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA

C.C 30.745.041 DE PASTO

TD. 065593

PATIO 6 RM de Bogotá

Con copia:

• Dra. Ivonne Lagos Díaz, coordinadora grupo de DDHH INPEC
• Dra. Diana Novoa Comisión de DDHH del Senado de la República
• Oficina del Alto comisionado de Naciones Unidas Para los DDHH
• Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos
• Fundación Lazos de Dignidad
• Campaña Permanente de Solidaridad con las y los Detenidos Políticos (Traspasa Los Muros).
• Fundación Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos

LA LUCHA SOCIAL NO ES UN DELITO, ES UN PASO HACIA LA LIBERTAD…

¡¡¡PRES@S POLITÍC@S A LA CALLE!!!

Visita: libertadpresxspoliticxs.jimdo.com

Dear students, workers and colleagues of the public and state universities of the country,

From my new prison cell in the high security wing of “La Picota” prison I wish to send a warm greeting, accompanied with renewed hopes of success in the struggles that appear on the horizon in 2010. A year that official tradition dedicates to the celebration of the bicentennial of independence.

It has been more than eight months that I have been in prison under trial for the supposed crimes of ” rebellion” and “concert to break the law with terrorists aims”, in which I have been subject to the flagrant violation of my procedural guarantees; admitting illicit and illegal evidence like the computer of the deceased leader of the FARC, “Raul Reyes”; and incorporating victims of that guerrilla organization as special interveners who have received no concrete, real and specific damage from me.

Not being content with these abuses, on the 23rd of December I was removed under extreme security measures, from the facilities of the national jail “La Modelo”. During two days, my family, lawyers and friends did not know my whereabouts, to the point that they needed to raise the alarm about this situation to some national and international mass media and NGOs. My transfer took place the same day I obtained, after numerous institutional obstacles, the authorization for the visit of my son, whom I had not seen for two years and ” coincided” with the denunciations of corruption that days earlier I had made against a civil servant of the national Prison “La Modelo”.

On the 17th of February the “trial hearing” will go ahead .This is the step prior to sentencing, in a process that has had clearly political aims, and in which critical thinking and the freedom of teaching, principles that distinguished the student movement of Cordoba (Argentina) nearly a century ago, are also on trial.

These events occur in a chain of systematic attacks on the public university community, demonstrated not only in the increasing cuts of financial resources that place knowledge and the education services under the implacable logic of the market,and also violate the fundamental principles – like the freedom of thought and its institutional autonomy.

All of this has been demonstrated by the arbitrary detentions of students, the incursion of the police in the university campus, the murder and disappearance of students, the threats to teachers and professors, the request on the part of the General Office of the public prosecutor of the Nation of the students names pertaining to public universities of Bogota and the proliferation of rebellion accusations levelled at university community members in hasty trials.and with restriction of access to the material of Luis Eduardo Sarmiento.

This situation takes us back to the dark years of the military dictatorships in South America, and becomes even more worrisome with recent government proposals to use a thousand students of Medellín as police informants , thus exploiting for its war interests the economic needs of this important social sector, trying to turn Colombia into a country of informers, and intensifying, the armed and social conflict that President Alvaro Uribe Vélez tries to hide.

The incorporation of students in these military intelligence activities not only denotes an absence of an education project for strategic sectors in the social and cultural development of the nation, but also entails high risks of transforming the university campus into a war zone.

It should be noted that the informant network is one of the fundamental pillars of the ill-named government policy of ” democratic security” that has served to sustain “false positives” (extra judicial killings),the persecution of numerous intellectuals, students, social, popular, and indigenous leaders who at the moment flood the jails of the country. Today we can speak of more than 7,000 political prisoners detained under cruel and overcrowded conditions that the Colombian government tries to ignore with the sophism of having a frontal attack against terrorism.

Against these facts, the university cannot evade its responsibility by using a supposed “neutrality.” On the contrary it must assume the social commitment to lead, from the academic sector, the generation of proposals that help to give solution to the social problems.

It is through open and pluralistic debate of ideas-not of the silence and the adulation of individual thought- that the university can guarantee the fulfilment of its social function and be elevated to a true instrument for social transformation, in the context of an ever changing world.

This becomes even more necessary in a country like ours where – a colleague of the University of Antioquia reminded us, “the people are gagged, plugged and blindfolded, so as not to speak anything, not hear anything and not see anything”, because – in a society riven by internal conflict it turns out to be convenient to keep silence so not to be misunderstood, and moreover it is comfortable to speak the language of those in power, so they will not turn us into the object of their reprisals.

My academic life has closely been linked to the fight for democratic ideals, first as a student, as later as a teacher and now as political prisoner of an establishment that criminalizes committed educational work.

I am thankful to all the students, workers and colleagues of the public university and some private universities who, with their words and actions – in an open or quiet way – have offered valuable solidarity to me. Also I am thankful to the Association of University Professors (ASPU), to the Association of Professors of the University of Antioquia (ASPRUDEA), to the organizations and student work groups, as well as to their alternative media for their untiring commitment for my freedom. This is the commitment to freedom of thought and opinion and the respect for scientific and intellectual work.

Be assured that the campaign that you have developed has not been in vain, and although these bars and armed guards try to scare me and to debilitate my democratic convictions, I guarantee that I will maintain unbroken my critical voice, my commitment to the defence of the public university and the search for political solutions to the armed and social conflict in Colombia.

Fraternally

Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas

Associate Professor of Sociology, National University of Colombia

From the “High Security” pavilion of “la Picota” jail, February 1, 2010.

La voz del pueblo

Translated for Peace and Justice for Colombia

Part of Uribe’s international campaign to criminalise solidarity, is a violent cultural campaign of deceit, led by the corporate media. Censorship and right-wing propaganda from the Colombian government is aired in main news outlets and targeting also new media such as the internet, You Tube and weblogs. Uribe’s latest event has been via the the Colombian Foreign Ministry to intensify their propaganda war against FARC Marxist guerrillas and what the Uribe government terms the FARC’s “parallel diplomacy.” Colombian Foreign Ministry Jaime Bermúdez, called home 29 Colombian ambassadors (plus 12 other that were connected via video conference) to draft an agenda of combating this “diplomacy” and prevent the screening of a recently released Argentinean production titles “La insurgencia del siglo XXI” (The insurgency of the 21st Century). The documentary that depicts the rebel group as an organization made up of peasants, indigenous, afro-Colombian men and women, their work with the land and hold revolutionary points of view about Colombian society. The screening of the film has been banned, and the Ambassadors and their collaborators have the task of prevent the film of being distributed.  Despites Uribe´s efforts, a number of countries including Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Ecuador, Spain, Italy, France, Denmark, Turkey, and possibly others have already seen the film. In Argentina and Cuba the documentary premiered in nationa  Film festivals.

According to the Colombian Foreign Ministry, to screen or watch this video is considered “a statement in defence of crime”. What is dangerous from such declarations are the actions taken by some countries in response to these initiatives. This happens at a time when Uribe has accepted seven US military bases that include the use of air and navy forces, contractors and security forces which threaten not only the Colombian people, but the entire region.

The delegitimization and defamation campaign is also a major component of Uribe´s propaganda war, sometimes with judicial consequences. Colombian intellectuals have been jailed. On August 2008, film-maker and human rights defender Liliany Obando (who toured Australia in two occasions) was detained, being the first victim of Uribe´s so-called “FARC-politica” in response to ongoing political scandals in Colombia linking Uribe with paramilitary death squads, drug trafficking, and other damning activities. Liliany is yet to be tried in court and she remains in a high security prison to date. On May 2009, Professor Miguel Ángel Beltrán was illegally extradited from México to Colombia, accused of being a “FARC-Intellectual” for his criticism of the Colombian government. Beltrán  was jailed with no trial and has now been reported as disappeared. These cases add to the over 7,500 political prisoners languishing in Colombian prisons.

Outside Colombia, several human rights advocates and solidarity activists had also been interrogated or harassed. In Spain on July 2008, pacifist activist María Remedios García Albert was temporarily jailed for alleged links to the rebel organization. At the time, Gen. Oscar Naranjo, chief of the Colombian Police declared that “that capture was the first in a series of detentions that will be carried out in Europe, of people linked to the FARC”; following that first detention, houses of Colombian activists in Switzerland were raided. To date, the Colombian Government have failed in providing evidence of such connections. During 2008 and 2009, solidarity activists in Chile, México and Peru were harassed with their pictures constantly appearing in the national media without any incriminatory evidence. On January this year, American writer and Colombia solidarity activist James Jordan was escorted out of a plane while returning home from Haiti. US Homeland Security officials interrogated him about solidarity work with Colombia. On February this year, an Australian activist was also  interrogated by the Australian Federal Police on request of the Colombian National Police. This is not the first time that an Australian activist has been interrogated for solidarity work with Colombia as it has been the main focus for the interrogators.

This Uribe campaign, carried out on a global scale, is unprecedented for the current “post-military junta period” in Latin America as it resembles  ‘Operation Condor’ throughout the 1970s and 1980s which involved the clandestine work of US sponsored state-terror carried out by military and secret services of several Southern Cone regimes. In the 1970s and 1980s the pretext of the Cold War was used to carry out repressive and horrific crimes against humanity that involved the deportation, incarceration, torture, “disappearance,” and murder of both common people and revolutionaries for their alleged support of  “terrorism.” Today, in the context of an asymmetrical global US ”War on Terror” where there is “no clear” enemy, it has become very easy for some police and intelligence agencies to declare anyone a “criminal” or a “terrorist.” Without evidence and with only suspicion, this intelligence work has been carried out by local security and police forces and violates the basic civil liberties of freedom of speech and freedom of organisation. Put simply, it threatens the rights of people to demand much needed social justice.

March 6 marks the day to protest against State Terror in Colombia, called by the Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Colombia). On the first week of March, there would be a number of different activities campaigning against extrajudicial executions of young people (who are killed, dressed up and presented as guerrilla fighters, in an attempt of showing with “numbers” the success of Uribe′s counter-insurgent efforts) , and against the criminalisation of international solidarity and critical thinking.

© Peace & Justice for Colombia (copy left)

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PEACE AND JUSTICE STATEMENT

4 February 2010

Take Action: Oppose to the attempts to criminalise International Solidarity

Peace and Justice for Colombia (PJFC) is deeply concerned about the recent questioning and interrogations of activists in Australia that for years have been working in solidarity with Colombia.

On 3 February 2010, a member of our organisation, Mr. Alejandro Rodriguez, was interviewed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in an attempt to obtain information on individuals, the Agricultural Workers Union of Colombia (FENSUAGRO) and about the activities of our organisation.

Peace and Justice for Colombia is a solidarity organisation that promotes the respect of human rights of all Colombians, and in doing so we have been denouncing the violations of labour and human rights in that country under the regimen of Alvaro Uribe.

It is very shameful that the AFP is aiding Uribe’s regime that has been engaged in the systematic persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, labour leaders and the opposition. Still worse, there is evidence that Uribe’s regime has been involved in drug trade and paramilitarism.

Peace and Justice for Colombia believes that the actions of the AFP in this particular matter, violates the rights of Mr Rodriguez who for years have been involved in solidarity work with Colombia and with Latin America, but also that the AFP action supports the Uribe regime’s campaign against international solidarity expressed by Australian trade unionists, individuals and political organizations.

PJFC requests that you and your organisation write to the Australian authorities to:

• Protest for the AFP cooperation with the Uribe administration
• Condemn any attempts of Uribe to criminalise international solidarity with Colombia.
• Demand that the Australian Government suspends its involvement with the Uribe regime until such time human and trade union rights are protected in Colombia.

Post or fax your messages and letters to:

Hon Brendan O’Connor MP
Minister for Home Affairs
PO Box 6022, Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel:  (02) 6277 7290 or
Fax: (02) 6273 7098

Tony Negus APM
Commissioner of the AFP
PO Box 401
Canberra City ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6223 3000

Copy your letters to:

Peace & Justice for Colombia,
Email: pjfcolombia@gmail.com

Yours in solidarity,

Peace & Justice for Colombia, PJFC-Australia
www.colombiasolidarity.net
www.freeliliany.net

Mr Brendan O’Connor MHR
Minister for Home Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Mr. O´Connor,

Minister for Home Affairs,

We are writing to protest against the interrogation of Mr. Alejandro Rodriguez by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on February 3^rd. Mr. Rodriguez is a member of our organisation, Peace and Justice for Colombia, and he is a well known advocate for workers´ rights and solidarity.

It is of our knowledge that during the interrogation Mr. Rodriguez was asked about individuals, the work of Peace & Justice for Colombia and about the Agricultural Workers Unions Federation of Colombia (FENSUAGRO). FENSUAGRO is a legitimate Colombian organisation that is formed by several affiliated unions, peasants and farmers´ organisations, with a total of 80,000 members nation-wide, with presence in 22 out of the 32 federated entities of the Colombian State. In a country where land distribution continues to be a major motive of inequality and injustice, FENSUAGRO is also the union that has been more brutally targeted by the Colombian state, its official forces and the paramilitaries. According to the International Trade Union Confederation, 49 union leaders were killed in 2008 alone, and 838 between 2000 and 2008; 95 per cent of the cases are reported as ’unsolved ’, many of these crimes have been committed against FENSUAGRO organizers and activists. We consider it to be a trust-worthy union.

It has been well documented that key members of the Colombian government have been historically linked to leading drug trafficking organisations and far right extremist groups. In 1991, the US Defense Intelligence Agency listed Uribe among ‘important Colombian narco-traffickers’ as well as a ‘close personal friend’ of Pablo Escobar Gaviria. Uribe’s Colombia is also responsible for arguably the largest internally displaced population in the world; 4 million Colombians are internally displaced rivalling only the Sudan.

We are also aware that the government of Alvaro Uribe has launched a campaign to censor and delegitimize solidarity initiatives internationally. We can only consider this interrogation as part of the mentioned campaign and it is completely disgraceful that the AFP is being used for the systematic persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, labour leaders and any other organisation or individuals who raises their voices in support of the Colombian people in their demands of democracy and social justice, and denounce the atrocities committed by Uribe´s government. Mr. Rodriguez has the support of professionals, trade unionists, academics and human rights organisations in Australia and internationally. For his work and commitment to the people of Colombia and Latin America, he too deserves the support of the Australian government.

• Peace & Justice for Colombia is an Australia-based solidarity organization that aims to build solidarity amongst Australians with the Colombian people and workers, and all the work we do is public and open.
• Peace & Justice for Colombia strongly condemns any attempt by the AFP, ASIO or any other intelligence agencies in Australia to persecute, detain or harass Mr. Rodriguez or any other solidarity activists. We consider this is a serious abuse of power under the Australian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2005.
• We protest against the AFP cooperation with the Uribe administration.
• We condemn any attempts of Uribe to criminalise international solidarity with Colombia.
• We demand that the Australian Government suspends its involvement with the Uribe regime while human and labour rights are not respected in that country.

Yours sincerely,

Peace and Justice for Colombia

We have learned that Colombian political prisoner, Liliany Obando, will have another hearing today THIS MONDAY, DEC. 21ST. Please support her application for Home Detention. This is a basic right frequently given to those accused and convicted of a broad range of crimes, including those jailed for paramilitary and parapolitical activities.

The right to home detention is especially made available to single mothers, like Liliany, who are sole providers for their families.

We are urging people to act now and contact the presiding Judge, Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar.  If at all possible, we suggest people send his office a fax. However, if you are unable to make an international call, please send your message as an email.

SAMPLE EMAIL/FAX:

English version (copy and paste and sign or develop your own)
Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar,
Juez # 9
Via fax & Email,
Your attention:
info@ramajudicial.gov.co
FAX +57-1-323 0102

The Honorable Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar:

I am writing in support of the petition for home detention by Colombian political prisoner, Liliany Patricia Obando Villota.  Ms Obando is a head of household, single mother of two children.  The right to home detention is frequently extended to prisoners in similar circumstances, even to those accused or convicted of paramilitary or parapolitical crimes.  We call on you to do the right thing and grant Ms Obando’s petition for the well-being of her family, especially her children.

I solemnly believe that Liliany Obando this to be her right and that she does not represent any danger to her community. She is an academic and critical thinker whose constitutional rights must be guaranteed.

Yours truly,
Signed by__________________________________________

Spanish version (copie, pegue y firme abajo o envie su propia version)

PAZ Y JUSTICIA PARA COLOMBIA, PJFC-AUSTRALIA

Actualizacion 8   20 de Diciembre2009

SE SOLICITA ACCIÓN INMEDIATA EN APOYO A LA SOLICITUD DE CASA POR CÁRCEL DE LILIANY OBANDO: AUDIENCIA PUBLICA LUNES 21 DE DICIEMBRE 2009 en BOGOTA, COL

Somos del conocimiento que la prisionera política colombiana, Liliany Obando tendrá una audiencia publica este Lunes 21 de Diciembre para dilucidar su caso y la solicitud de detención domiciliaria.

Este es un derecho constitucional dado frecuentemente a aquellos acusados y convictos de una seria amplia de delitos incluyendo aquellos sentenciados por para militarismo y parapolítica. Este derecho a la detención domiciliaria es especialmente concedido a las madres solteras cabeza de familia quienes como Liliany son las únicas sostenedoras de sus familias.

Nosotros le pedimos a nuestros amigos y colaboradores a que actúen ahora y contacten al juez de la Fiscalía a cargo del caso: Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar.  Si fuera posible le pedimos a las personas que le envíen al juez un fax a su oficina. Sin embargo si no les es posible hacer llamadas internacionales o utilizar una maquina de fax entonces les pedimos que envíen un mensaje electrónico.

MUESTRA DE EMAIL/FAX:
(Copie, pegue y firme la muestra o haga su propia versión de carta)

20 de Diciembre de 2009.

Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar,
Juez # 9
Por fax y correo electrónico,
Su despacho:
info@ramajudicial.gov.co
FAX +57-1-323 0102

Distinguido Doctor Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar;

Le escribimos en apoyo a la solicitud de detención domiciliaria presentada por la prisionera política colombiana, señora Liliany Patricia Obando Villota.  La señora Obando es una madre cabeza de familia con dos niños.  El derecho a la detención domiciliaria es extendido con frecuencia a prisioneros en circunstancias semejantes, aun a los acusados o condenados por parapolítica y por actividad paramilitar.  Le instamos a hacer lo correcto y justo y conceda la petición hecha por Liliany Obando por el bien de su familia, especialmente sus niños.
Creo solemnemente que Liliany Obando tiene este derecho y que ella no representa ningún peligro para su comunidad. Ella es una académica y una pensadora critica cuyos derechos constitucionales deben ser garantizados.

Atentamente,

Firma: ________________________

PARA ENVIAR UN EMAIL,

Ponga en el espacio de Asunto:  “Atención Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar, Juez # 9” y Mandelo a la siguiente dirección: info@ramajudicial.gov.co
Envié copia de su mensaje a nuestras siguientes direcciones:
pjfcolombia@gmail.com & sol.net.pp@gmail.com

PARA ENVIAR UN FAX O PARA LLAMAR DIRECTAMENTE:

DR. OSCAR GUSTAVO JAIMES VILLAMIZAR:
TEL +57-1-288 7909, FAX +57-1-323 0102

TO SEND AN EMAIL,
Put in the subject line:
“Atención Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar, Juez # 9” and send to: info@ramajudicial.gov.co
Please send a copy to:
pjfcolombia@gmail.com & sol.net.pp@gmail.com

TO SEND A FAX OR TO CALL DIRECTLY:

DR. OSCAR GUSTAVO JAIMES VILLAMIZAR:
TEL +57-1-288 7909, FAX +57-1-323 0102

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

There are more than 7,200 political prisoners in Colombia.  PJFC works in solidarity with all these prisoners, but has a particular concern regarding the case of Liliany Obando. She served as a consultant for FENSUAGRO, the largest union of farmers and farm workers in Colombia.

She was arrested the very week she was to release a report on the murders of FENSUAGRO members by the military and paramilitaries.

Liliany’s case is a flagship case, because she was the first person detained and tried on bogus charges as part of the FARC-política. The FARC-política is an attempt to repress, intimidate and marginalize the political opposition, labor and student movements by falsely linking them to Colombia’s armed rebellion. The basis for this process are emails allegedly discovered in computers recovered after a bombing attack by the Colombian Air Force against a guerrilla peace negotiation camp on March 1, 2008. However, the Colombian Police Officer in charge of the initial investigation has said the computers contained no emails but only documents in Word. The international police agency, INTERPOL, has said that the computer’s files showed evidence of tampering by the Colombian authorities.

Liliany’s case is important for two reasons:

1. If she wins the case, the whole FARC-política process is discredited; but if  she loses,  then a precedent is set for a virtual witch-hunt against the Colombian opposition based on this process.
2. The Colombian government is trying hard to shut down FENSUAGRO by spuriously portraying it as a front for the guerrillas.  A conviction of Liliany will result in a renewed effort against FENSUAGRO, which is already the most persecuted union in Colombia.

In solidarity,
Peace and Justice for Colombia, PJFC.
Websites: www.colombiasolidarity.net  &  www.freeliliany.net
Emails: pjfcolombia@gmail.com & freelilianynow@gmail.com

libertadpresxspoliticxs.jimdo.com

The Permanent Campaign in Solidarity with the Political Detainees transcribes and resends the following:

PUBLIC DENUNCIATION

MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR OF COLOMBIA THREATENS THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WOMEN PRISONERS OF THE TRAMACUA PENITENTIARY OF VALLEDUPAR-COLOMBIA

From The Women Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War of the High Security Penitentiary of Valledupar-La Tramacua:  Before the national and international community we denounce and reject the authoritarianism and abuse of power of the Colombian Senior Minister of the Interior, FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO, as a result of the following deeds:

FACTS

On October 16, 2009, the Minister of the Interior, FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO, abusing his power threatened our Human Rights Representative.  Watching her every move, he prohibited her from continuing to give declarations by phone and ordered a disciplinary process to be opened against her for denouncing over the radio the outrages and inhumane conditions in which we find ourselves, the 104 women detained in La Tramacua, and, equally, the failure to fulfill the promises made to improve our living conditions and to transfer defendants and medium security convicts to prisons near their families.

No less could be expected from an illegitimate and illegal government whose justice comes from a foundation of military intelligence set-ups and the bribery and buying of witnesses.  Moreover, it is a government accused internationally of state crimes, false-positives[i], illegal wiretaps, the stigmatization and the irresponsible targeting of human rights defenders and popular leaders.

The threatening watch of the Minister only shows that he fears that it might be made public that in Colombia there are special “Five Star” jails in which one finds inmates such as his brother, GUILLERMO LEÓN VALENCIA, accused of narcotrafficking and paramilitary activities, who, together with the government allies linked to the para-politica[ii], enjoy privileges and comforts in special pavilions where they have access to cell phones, computers, the internet, visits at various times of the week, food service to the cells and even their own massage therapists.  Meanwhile, we, the 104 women who are in La Tramacua, withstand extreme temperatures of 28 to 35 degrees Celsius (83 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) without access to water and far from our families who cannot visit us due to the long distance and lack of resources.  We are chained hand and foot even to go for an external medical review.

As political prisoners, we stand behind the denunciations and petitions of our Human Rights Representative to dignify our conditions of confinement and the exercise of the right of freedom of expression.

We make a call to national and international Human Rights organizations, to Colombianos y Colombianas por la Paz (Colombians for Peace), that they:

1.    Reject the persecution that confronts the Human Rights Representatives in Colombian jails.

2.    Verify the conditions in which we find ourselves, which we have denounced in previous opportunities.

3.    Send their communications rejecting the reprisals and conditions to which we are submitted to the following Colombian authorities:

President of the Republic

ÁLVARO URIBE VÉLEZ. PALACIO DE NARIÑO

Carrera 8 No.7-2, Bogotá. Colombia

Fax: +57 1 337 5890 / 342 0592.

E-mail: auribe@presidencia.gov.co

Presidential Program for Human and International Rights

Director Carlos Franco.

E-mail: cefranco@presidencia.gov.co.

Asesor Fernando Ibarra.

Tel.: +57.1.336.03.11, FAX: +57.1.337.46.67

E-mail: fibarra@presidencia.gov.co

National Court System

Diagonal 22B (Av. Luis Carlos Galán No. 52-01) Bloque C, Piso 4, Bogotá, Colombia. Fax: + 57 1 570 2000 (extensión 2017).
E-mail: denuncias@fiscalia.gov.co y contacto@fiscalia.gov.co

National Attorney General

ALEJANDRO ORDÓÑEZ MALDONADO

Carrera 5 #. 15-80, Bogotá.
Fax: +57.1.342.97.23; +571.284.79.49. Fax: +57.1.342.97.23;
E-mail: cap@procuraduria.gov.co, quejas@procuraduria.gov.co; y webmaster@procuraduria.gov.co
National Public Defender

VOLMAR ANTONIO PÉREZ ORTIZ

Calle 55 # 10-32, Bogotá
Fax: + 57.1.640.04.91
E-mail: secretaria_privada@hotmail.com; agenda@agenda.gov.co

THE POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF WAR ARE NOT CRIMINALS!  WE SUPPORT THE HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS!!!

POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF WAR

PENITENTIARY OF VALLEDUPAR –CESAR “LA TRAMACUA”

Colombia, October 22, 2009

[ii] The “para-politica” refers to the large number of elected officials allied with the administration of Pres. Álvaro Uribe who have been shown to be linked to narcotraffickers and paramilitaries.  For instance, some 40% of Colombian Congresspersons have been arrested or are under investigation for such links.