National Delegate Conference 17-20 June
2008
UNISON condemns violence and abuse against trade unionists in
Colombia
by Jane Aitchison
Angela Lynes
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UNISON condemned the continuing violence and abuse against trade
unionists, social movements and civic society organisations in Colombia
and pledged to support its sister trade unions and play an active
role in Justice for Colombia and the Colombian Solidarity Campaign.
Angela Lynes illustrated the plight of trade unionists in Colombia,
living under constant threats to not only to their jobs but to their
lives and the lives of their families. Colombian trade unionist
are the victims of selective, systematic and persistent violence
and the International Trade Union Confederation reported that over
90% of cases were unpunished and many murders have not been investigated.
Angela said "According to Amnesty International, human rights defenders,
trade unionists, social and community activists, and journalists
continue to be targeted, principally by paramilitaries. In February,
some 70 NGOs, trade unions and other social organisations reportedly
received e-mail death threats from paramilitaries."
"But not all the blame can be placed at the door of the government
and the paramilitaries. According to Amnesty, the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were blamed for many killings of
candidates in the run-up to last October's local elections, the
FARC and similar organizations, were held responsible for the killing
of over 200 civilians last year."
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Colombian trade unionist 'disappeared'
Guillermo Rivera, the president of SINSERPUB (Sindicato de Servidores
Publicos), the Union of Public Servants in Colombia disappeared
on 22 April after taking his daughter to school in the ‘Tunal' neighbourhood
of Bogota and has not been seen since.
Witnesses reported seeing him being bundled into a police car.
He was also an active member of the Polo Democratico - the main
opposition party in Colombia.
Ana Lucia Pinzon leader of Colombian public sector workers' trade
union FENALTRASE speaking at UNISON's service groups conference
said: '[Colombia] is one of the most dangerous countries in the
world to be a trade union member. Thousands of my colleagues have
been killed in recent years - 26 so far this year.'
As international pressure mounts for details of Guillermo's disappearance,
UNISON members are urged to write to the Colombian Ambassador in
London demanding that her Government give details of Guillermo's
disappearance at the hands of the police.
HE Ambassador Noemi Sanin Posada Colombian Embassy 3 Hans Crescent
London SW1X 0LN Also write to the Foreign Office asking the British
Embassy in Bogota to bring the case up with the Colombian authorities.
David Miliband Secretary of State FCO Kings Charles St London SW1
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