Respect Colombian protestors' rights

Letter to the Colombian Ambassador

From Frances O'Grady

TUC Deputy general Secretary

HE Dr Carlos Eduardo Medellin Becerra

Ambassador

Embassy of Colombia

Flat 3A

3 Hans Crescent

London SW1X 0LN

Dear Ambassador

As you will know, the National Agrarian and Popular Mobilisation, due to continue for three days, began in Colombia today. The Mobilisation has been called by a broad coalition of trade union, indigenous, student and agricultural organisations. I would like you to relay to your Government the British trade union movement's serious concerns about the intimidation and possible repression of participants, and especially those involved in organising, the Mobilisation.

Our concern is heightened by the series of attacks already perpetrated against the organisers, including murders, torture and threats against community leaders, trade union activists, students and others in regions such as Cauca, Putumayo and Tolima. I am greatly concerned by the allegations made by human rights groups that many of these attacks - including the murders of three trade unionists, Simon Corena, Gentil Yascuaran Pai and Feliciano Obando - were carried out by units of the Colombian Army.

I am aware that previous mobilisations have been met with fierce repression by the security forces and that during a similar event in May 2006 in south western Colombia numerous human rights violations were committed. The British trade union movement is extremely concerned about the situation in Colombia and we will be following the events of the next few days closely.

I call on you to pass on these concerns to the Colombian Government, and demand assurances that your Government respects the right of Colombian civil society to peaceful protest and freedom of association as laid down in ILO core conventions by which your government is bound. As the protest has already started I would appreciate it if you could do this as quickly as possible.

Yours sincerely

Frances O'Grady

Deputy General Secretary

10 October 2007