Colombia: Harasment of Human Rights workers


The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights
http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/

Peace Brigades International

PBI EMERGENCY ALERT   ***   COLOMBIA   ***   PBI EMERGENCY ALERT 

SUMMARY:  
We are activating the emergency response network due to a series of events
that have developed in the municipalities of Yondo (Antioquia), Puerto
Wilches, Barrancabermeja and Sabana de Torres (Santander) and San Pablo
(Bolivar).  We are especially worried by the harassment -- threats, and the
presence at people's homes of cars without plates and armed men in civilian
clothes -- of the members of CREDHOS, Mario Calixto, president of the
Regional Human Rights 
Committee of  Sabana de Torres; and members of truth commissions in Puerto
Wilches.  In various places, self-determined self-defense organizations have
threatened human rights groups, including threats made in Yondo against
international groups, that we believe qualify as threats against PBI.

BACKGROUND:  
PBI has accompanied CREDHOS since we began our work in Colombia.  
Since then, the team has witnessed the expansion of paramilitary power
nationally, but particularly in the Magdalena Medio region. These events are
markers in a broad trend that includes the increased harassment of human
rights group, the presence of unfamiliar armed men, and the displacement of
civilians from the area.  However the threat against international
organizations, given the fact that our team is the only group that fits the
description in the area, is understood as a direct threat against Peace
Brigades, which has never happened before in Colombia.

SUGGESTED ACTION:  
Because we are directing this message primarily to local military commanders
who are unable to receive telexes, please send a FAX or LETTER to the
following people:

1.	V Brigada del Ejercito Nacional 
 Brigadier General Fernando Millan Perez
Cra. 33 # 14
Barrio Los Pinos
Barrancabermeja
Santander
Colombia
Fax: +57 76 45 50 51
Tratamiento: Brigadier General

2.	XIV Brigada del Ejercito Nacional
Coronel Carlos Enrique Vargas Forero
XIV Brigada
Puerto Berrio
Antioquia
Colombia
Fax: + 57 4 833 30 06
Tratamiento: Coronel

3.	Comando Especial de la Policia Nacional de Barrancabermeja
Mayor Eduardo Antonio Bula
Policia Nacional
Cll. 67 # 25 Colombia
Barrancabermeja
Santander
Colombia
Fax: + 57 76 22 95 53
Tratamiento: Mayor

4.	Ministro de Defensa 
 Gilberto Echeverri Mejia
Ministro de Defensa
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional 
Avenida Eldorado CAN-Carrera 52 
Santafe de Bogota 
Colombia 
Fax: + 57 1 222 18 74/288 49 06 
Tratamiento: Sr. Ministro

 5.	Ministro del Interior 
 Dr. Horacio Serpa Uribe 
Ministro de Interior 
Ministerio de Interior 
Carrera 8a, No.8-09 
Santafe de Bogota 
Colombia 
Fax: + 57 1 286 6524/284 0214 
Tratamiento: Sr. Ministro


SUGGESTED LETTER TEXT: 

(Title)
(Date)
(Greeting)

I have received information about various events in the municipalities of
Yondo (Antioquia), Puerto Wilches, Barrancabermeja, Sabana de Torres
(Santander) and San Pablo (Bolivar), occasioned by the advance of
paramilitary and self-defense groups.  

I am very concerned by the harassment, threats, and the presence of cars
without plates and armed men in civilian clothes at the homes of the members
of CREDHOS, Mario Calixto, president of the Regional Human Rights Committee
of  Sabana de Torres; and members of truth commissions in Puerto Wilches.  

In addition, I am deeply distressed by the fact that self-determined
self-defense organizations have threatened human rights groups, including
threats made in Yondo against "international groups," that may qualify as
threats against the international members of Peace Brigades International.

I ask that you take whatever measures necessary to ensure the safety of all
these members of human rights groups, both Colombian and the foreign
nationals of Peace Brigades International, and call on you to guarantee that
they are able to move and work freely. 

Yours Sincerely, 

(signed)


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

          *** Peace Brigades International  (USA) ***
           2642 College Ave. Berkeley CA 94704  USA
             TEL: 510-540-0749 FAX: 510-849-1247 
                  Email: pbiusa@igc.apc.org
            http://www.igc.apc.org/pbi/index.html



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Human Rights in Colombia
http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/colombia