Death threats against trade unionists in Colombia (Amnesty
International)
October 5, 2007 Javier Correa, President of the National
Union of Food Industry Workers (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la
Industria de Alimentos, SINALTRAINAL), received a death threat, and the son
of regional SINALTRAINAL leader José Domingo Florez was abducted and beaten.
There are fears that the lives of members of SINALTRAINAL are in danger.
On 27 September, Andrés Damian Flores Rodríguez, the
16-year-old son of José Domingo Florez, the SINALTRAINAL leader in Santander
Department, was abducted by three masked gunmen. The men reportedly beat him
before they received an order via a two-way radio, which said: “Take him
around, beat him up and leave him the message” (dénle un paseo, cásquenlo y
déjenle el mensaje). Andrés Damian Florez Rodríguez was released shortly
afterwards. Before releasing him, the men told him: “Tell your father that
we will not rest until we see you all in pieces” (dígale a su papa que no
descansaremos hasta verlos descuartizados).
On 20 September, a written death threat was left at the home
of José Domingo Flores, in the city of Bucaramanga in Santander Department.
The message was signed by the Aguilas Negras (Black Eagles) paramilitary
group. Aguilas Negras is a name assumed by many army-backed paramilitary
structures following the supposed “demobilization” of the paramilitary
umbrella organization group, United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas
Unidas de Colombia, AUC).
On 25 September, a further written death threat, addressed
to Javier Correa, was found in the offices of SINALTRAINAL in Bucaramanga.
It read: “All orders are followed – communist guerrillas trade unionist
façade – Javier Correa, stop your ideological discourse – you must leave the
department – if not we will be obliged to carry out the military objective
and at Christmas we will hand over the bodies of your families in a mass
grave” (toda orden se cumple – comunistas guerrilleros fachadas de
sindicalistas – Javier Correa, callen el discurso ideologico guerrillero –
se van del departamento – de lo contrario nos veremos obligados a cumplir el
ojectivo military y le entregamos en Navidad a sus familias los cadaveres en
una fosa comun). The death threat bore the acronym of the AUC, and was
signed by the Aguilas Negras.
Written death threats were also received by SINALTRAINAL
members in Bucaramanga on 10 February and 26 July 2007.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In the context of Colombia’s 40-year-old armed conflict,
trade unionists are frequently labelled as "subversive" by the security
forces and paramilitaries. Such criticisms frequently coincide with periods
of labour unrest or negotiations over working conditions. The labelling of
union members as "subversive" is often followed by violations of their human
rights, including threats and killings.
In recent years, members of SINALTRAINAL have been involved
in a number of labour disputes, often with large multinational companies.
These disputes have often coincided with reports of human rights violations
against union members.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible, in Spanish or your own language:
- urging the authorities to protect Javier Correa, José
Domingo Flores, their families, and other members of SINALTRAINAL, in
accordance with the wishes of those at risk;
- calling on them to order full and impartial investigations
into the death threats against SINALTRAINAL members and into the abduction
of Andrés Damian Flores Rodríguez; to publish the results and bring all
those responsible to justice;
- calling on the authorities to take decisive action to
confront and dismantle paramilitary groups operating in the region and to
break their links with the security forces, in line with repeated UN
recommendations;
- calling on the authorities to fully apply the UN
Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and
Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights
and Fundamental Liberties which recognizes the legitimacy of the activities
of human rights defenders (including trade unionists) and protects their
right to carry out their activities without any restrictions or fear of
reprisals.
APPEALS TO:
Vice-president of the Republic
Dr. Francisco Santos Calderón
Vicepresidencia, Carrera 8A No 7-27, Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 565 7682
Salutation: Dear Vice-president Santos/Estimado Sr.
Vicepresidente Santos
Minister of Social Protection
Dr. Diego Palacio Betancourt
Ministro de Protección Social
Ministerio de Protección Social, Carrera 13 No 32-76,
Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 336 8007
Salutation: Sr. Ministro/Dear Sir
Attorney General
Dr. Mario Germán Iguarán Arana
Fiscal General de la Nación, Fiscalía General de la Nación
Diagonal 22B (Av. Luis Carlos Galán No. 52-01) Bloque C,
Piso 4
Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: + 57 1 570 2000 (a message in Spanish will ask you to
enter extension 2017)
Salutation: Estimado Sr. Fiscal/Dear Mr Iguarán
COPIES TO:
SINALTRAINAL
Carrera 15# 35-18
Bogotá, Colombia
and to diplomatic representatives of Colombia accredited to
your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the
International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after
16 November 2007.
