Colombia: One of world’s most dangerous places for trade unionists
A sham paramilitary demobilization process, combined with thousands of cases of threats and killings and a chronic lack of investigations and prosecutions, makes Colombia one of the most dangerous places in the world for trade unionists, according to a new report released today.
Amnesty International’s report, Killings, arbitrary detentions, and death threats -- the reality of trade unionism in Colombia,highlights a pattern of systematic attacks against trade unionists involved in labour disputes and in campaigns against privatization and in favour of workers’ rights in some areas where extractive industries operate.
Colombia’s National Trade Union School documented 2,245 killings, 3,400 threats and 138 forced disappearances of trade unionists between January 1991 and December 2006. Despite their supposed demobilization, army-backed paramilitaries and the security forces are thought to be behind most attacks. Guerrilla groups have also been responsible for such killings.
“Trade unionists across Colombia are being sent a clear message: Don’t complain about your labour conditions or campaign to protect your rights because you will be silenced, at any cost,” said Susan Lee, Amnesty International’s Americas Programme Director.
“By failing to adequately protect trade unionists, the Colombian authorities are sending a message that abuses against them can continue, while companies operating in Colombia risk being held accountable for human rights abuses for which, through their conduct, they may bear responsibility.”
The report includes the cases of human rights abuses against trade unionists -- and their relatives -- working in Colombia’s health, education, public services, agricultural, mining, oil, gas, energy and food sectors.
Amnesty International is calling on companies working in Colombia to use their influence with the Colombian government to end and prevent human rights abuses against trade unionists.
“This report is a wake-up call for any multinational company operating in an environment in which human rights are systematically violated. Inaction is no longer an option,” said Susan Lee.
Successive Colombian governments have implemented policies to improve the safety of trade unionists, including a programme that allocates armed escorts, bullet-proof vehicles and telephones to some threatened trade unionists.
“While such measures are welcome, attacks against trade unionists will continue unless effective measures are taken to end the impunity enjoyed by those killing and threatening them.”
Amnesty International’s report also highlights the Tripartite Agreement signed by the Colombian government, Colombian business representatives and Colombia’s trade union confederations in June 2006, under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The agreement provides for the establishment of a permanent presence of the ILO in Colombia to monitor the application of freedom of association rights in the country and progress in efforts to advance investigations into the killing of trade unionists.
“The International Labour Organization (ILO) agreement is a key opportunity to tackle the human rights crisis facing trade unionists. It is now imperative that the Colombian authorities, multinational and Colombian companies, and the international labour movement work together with the office of the ILO in Bogotá to ensure investigations into all cases of threats and attacks against trade unionists and their relatives.”
Amnesty International’s report, Killings, arbitrary detentions, and death threats -- the reality of trade unionism in Colombia,highlights a pattern of systematic attacks against trade unionists involved in labour disputes and in campaigns against privatization and in favour of workers’ rights in some areas where extractive industries operate.
Colombia’s National Trade Union School documented 2,245 killings, 3,400 threats and 138 forced disappearances of trade unionists between January 1991 and December 2006. Despite their supposed demobilization, army-backed paramilitaries and the security forces are thought to be behind most attacks. Guerrilla groups have also been responsible for such killings.
“Trade unionists across Colombia are being sent a clear message: Don’t complain about your labour conditions or campaign to protect your rights because you will be silenced, at any cost,” said Susan Lee, Amnesty International’s Americas Programme Director.
“By failing to adequately protect trade unionists, the Colombian authorities are sending a message that abuses against them can continue, while companies operating in Colombia risk being held accountable for human rights abuses for which, through their conduct, they may bear responsibility.”
The report includes the cases of human rights abuses against trade unionists -- and their relatives -- working in Colombia’s health, education, public services, agricultural, mining, oil, gas, energy and food sectors.
Amnesty International is calling on companies working in Colombia to use their influence with the Colombian government to end and prevent human rights abuses against trade unionists.
“This report is a wake-up call for any multinational company operating in an environment in which human rights are systematically violated. Inaction is no longer an option,” said Susan Lee.
Successive Colombian governments have implemented policies to improve the safety of trade unionists, including a programme that allocates armed escorts, bullet-proof vehicles and telephones to some threatened trade unionists.
“While such measures are welcome, attacks against trade unionists will continue unless effective measures are taken to end the impunity enjoyed by those killing and threatening them.”
Amnesty International’s report also highlights the Tripartite Agreement signed by the Colombian government, Colombian business representatives and Colombia’s trade union confederations in June 2006, under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The agreement provides for the establishment of a permanent presence of the ILO in Colombia to monitor the application of freedom of association rights in the country and progress in efforts to advance investigations into the killing of trade unionists.
“The International Labour Organization (ILO) agreement is a key opportunity to tackle the human rights crisis facing trade unionists. It is now imperative that the Colombian authorities, multinational and Colombian companies, and the international labour movement work together with the office of the ILO in Bogotá to ensure investigations into all cases of threats and attacks against trade unionists and their relatives.”
Colombia: FARC and ELN must release all hostages
28 June 2007
Amnesty International today called on the guerrilla groups Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) to immediately and unconditionally release all civilians they have abducted.
The call comes after the FARC published a press release in which the guerrilla group claimed that 11 of the 12 deputies from the Valle del Cauca departmental Assembly, kidnapped by the FARC since April 2002 – had been killed in crossfire last 18 June.
“Hostage-taking is a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law, which can constitute a war crime. The death of the 11 Valle del Cauca deputies, if confirmed, is a tragedy that could have been avoided if the FARC had been willing to respect the fundamental right of civilians not to be dragged into Colombia’s long-running armed conflict”, Amnesty International said.
Amnesty International also called on the FARC and the ELN to order their members never to kill and always treat humanely all those they have captured, including the wounded and those attempting to surrender, whether they are civilians or members of the armed forces or their paramilitary allies.
“Whilst civilians and others remain hostage to guerrilla forces their physical security remains the responsibility of the group holding them.”
Background Information
Although kidnappings continued to fall, from 800 in 2005 to 687 in 2006, the figures remain worryingly high. Guerrilla groups, mainly the FARC and the ELN, were responsible for most conflict-related kidnappings, accounting for some 200 kidnappings. Ten were attributed to paramilitary groups and 267 to common criminals. Around 200 kidnappings could not be attributed.
The FARC continue to hold a number of high-profile hostages, including Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and her running-mate Clara Rojas, kidnapped in 2002.
Over the last few years, there has been constant speculation that the FARC and the Colombian government were prepared to agree a “humanitarian exchange” – the exchange of FARC prisoners held by the Colombian authorities for hostages held by the guerrilla group. The government has said that its recent unilateral release of more than 100 convicted FARC prisoners, and the imminent release of others, was designed to facilitate such an exchange. The FARC have responded by refusing to negotiate an exchange until the government agrees to demilitarize two municipalities.
There is also growing speculation that the ELN and the government, who have been holding preliminary peace talks, could soon agree a temporary ceasefire, which could lead to the release of hostages held by the ELN.
Amnesty International today called on the guerrilla groups Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) to immediately and unconditionally release all civilians they have abducted.
The call comes after the FARC published a press release in which the guerrilla group claimed that 11 of the 12 deputies from the Valle del Cauca departmental Assembly, kidnapped by the FARC since April 2002 – had been killed in crossfire last 18 June.
“Hostage-taking is a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law, which can constitute a war crime. The death of the 11 Valle del Cauca deputies, if confirmed, is a tragedy that could have been avoided if the FARC had been willing to respect the fundamental right of civilians not to be dragged into Colombia’s long-running armed conflict”, Amnesty International said.
Amnesty International also called on the FARC and the ELN to order their members never to kill and always treat humanely all those they have captured, including the wounded and those attempting to surrender, whether they are civilians or members of the armed forces or their paramilitary allies.
“Whilst civilians and others remain hostage to guerrilla forces their physical security remains the responsibility of the group holding them.”
Background Information
Although kidnappings continued to fall, from 800 in 2005 to 687 in 2006, the figures remain worryingly high. Guerrilla groups, mainly the FARC and the ELN, were responsible for most conflict-related kidnappings, accounting for some 200 kidnappings. Ten were attributed to paramilitary groups and 267 to common criminals. Around 200 kidnappings could not be attributed.
The FARC continue to hold a number of high-profile hostages, including Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and her running-mate Clara Rojas, kidnapped in 2002.
Over the last few years, there has been constant speculation that the FARC and the Colombian government were prepared to agree a “humanitarian exchange” – the exchange of FARC prisoners held by the Colombian authorities for hostages held by the guerrilla group. The government has said that its recent unilateral release of more than 100 convicted FARC prisoners, and the imminent release of others, was designed to facilitate such an exchange. The FARC have responded by refusing to negotiate an exchange until the government agrees to demilitarize two municipalities.
There is also growing speculation that the ELN and the government, who have been holding preliminary peace talks, could soon agree a temporary ceasefire, which could lead to the release of hostages held by the ELN.
Absurdia
La bella y lejana ciudad de Absurdia tenía una deliciosa vocación para dejar pasar las cosas sin ocuparse ni preocuparse. La mejor manera de sobrellevar sus días era inscribirse en uno de los numerosos coros laudatorios que solían repetir en tono marcesible sus mismas glorias antepasadas.
Quienes deseaban disfrutar la vida evitaban mirar hacia los barrios del Nuncasaldrás limitándose a gozar las partecitas más íntimas y bellas del gueto cosmopueblita de los visitantes y la cheveridad. Así lo habían querido los habitantes y sus últimos dirigentes.
Absurdia era una cárcel de rejas amables, a ratos una ciudad sin dueño, a ratos con un solo dueño. Una tierra extraña de música extraviada que parecía prometerlo todo pero que dejaba casi nada. Esta ciudad, otrora llamada La Valerosa, había conservado su encanto historial a costa de su propio progreso, hasta hace muy poco, cuando en medio de sus rencillas oponía sus abolengos al huracán progresista de Barranca la Grande.
En Absurdia nadie hablaba de cultura ciudadana ni de madurez política. Era más fácil cantar por un sueño o esperar que llovieran buenos gobernantes del cielo. En los barrios de Nuncasaldrás la gente seguía cambiando votos por abanicos, al tiempo que los comerciantes de la política pintorreteaban los muros sagrados del reino que esperaban gobernar. Los poetas se dedicaban a escribirle cantilenas de amor mientras la ciudad seguía dormida cogiendo fresco a la sombra del traspatio, y mientras a su vera pasaban pesados carros y piquetas de eso que llaman progreso. Tierra de ventoleras y tenderetes, cuyo patrimonio mayor eran el silbido inclemente y el reclamo de los alisios.
En alguna época no muy lejana se veía en Absurdia un curioso afán por emprender aunque fueran obras inútiles y puentes. Algunos solían caerse, otros, como los puentes encrespados del mar bello, no eran sino de físico adorno.
Hoy, desde los páramos alejados, un rey y su escudero se compadecen de Absurdia. Deciden, entonces, realizar por ella grandes obras pero no las consultan con los absurdianos, esa especie de provinciano cosmopolita, celoso por herencia y renuente al cambio, que ve llover con paciencia toda clase de regalos, ofrecimientos y contingencias, y también imposiciones, paternales regaños, sobresaltos anticipados en las justas olímpicas, sistemas traspapelados de transporte, urbanizaciones contaminadas para los pobres, tapizadas herméticamente en concreto; también cerros que llaman a la tragedia, invasiones y talas de manglares a un lado de la vía más hermosa del reino en cuyo borde se reunirá lo más granado del estrato 6 con la miseria de la ciénaga, y un poco mas allá, bordeando esta ciénaga, un bello tramo interruptus de vía perimetral que no comunica nada con nada pero que será necesario para los 15 días de las justas.
Pero algo bueno había de suceder en Absurdia: lejos de la barahúnda y sus bambalinas, más allá de las caravanas y sus camellos, la clase media del reino, retirada del agua y sus costosos progresos, está empujando vigorosamente al otro extremo una tercera ciudad renovada, aunque por el momento solo sea a lado y lado de su adolorida espina dorsal...
* * *
Plegaria del Abate:
Ilumina, Señor, a los más pobres del reino, a los que habitan los palafitos de cartón y tablas al borde de la ciénaga, y dales valor para no vender su voto a cambio de un plato fugaz o una volquetada de tierra que los mantendrá sepultados en su acuática miseria.
POR FRANCISCO ANGULO GUERRA (Publicado en el Periodico El Tiempo, 03 Marzo de 2006)
Quienes deseaban disfrutar la vida evitaban mirar hacia los barrios del Nuncasaldrás limitándose a gozar las partecitas más íntimas y bellas del gueto cosmopueblita de los visitantes y la cheveridad. Así lo habían querido los habitantes y sus últimos dirigentes.
Absurdia era una cárcel de rejas amables, a ratos una ciudad sin dueño, a ratos con un solo dueño. Una tierra extraña de música extraviada que parecía prometerlo todo pero que dejaba casi nada. Esta ciudad, otrora llamada La Valerosa, había conservado su encanto historial a costa de su propio progreso, hasta hace muy poco, cuando en medio de sus rencillas oponía sus abolengos al huracán progresista de Barranca la Grande.
En Absurdia nadie hablaba de cultura ciudadana ni de madurez política. Era más fácil cantar por un sueño o esperar que llovieran buenos gobernantes del cielo. En los barrios de Nuncasaldrás la gente seguía cambiando votos por abanicos, al tiempo que los comerciantes de la política pintorreteaban los muros sagrados del reino que esperaban gobernar. Los poetas se dedicaban a escribirle cantilenas de amor mientras la ciudad seguía dormida cogiendo fresco a la sombra del traspatio, y mientras a su vera pasaban pesados carros y piquetas de eso que llaman progreso. Tierra de ventoleras y tenderetes, cuyo patrimonio mayor eran el silbido inclemente y el reclamo de los alisios.
En alguna época no muy lejana se veía en Absurdia un curioso afán por emprender aunque fueran obras inútiles y puentes. Algunos solían caerse, otros, como los puentes encrespados del mar bello, no eran sino de físico adorno.
Hoy, desde los páramos alejados, un rey y su escudero se compadecen de Absurdia. Deciden, entonces, realizar por ella grandes obras pero no las consultan con los absurdianos, esa especie de provinciano cosmopolita, celoso por herencia y renuente al cambio, que ve llover con paciencia toda clase de regalos, ofrecimientos y contingencias, y también imposiciones, paternales regaños, sobresaltos anticipados en las justas olímpicas, sistemas traspapelados de transporte, urbanizaciones contaminadas para los pobres, tapizadas herméticamente en concreto; también cerros que llaman a la tragedia, invasiones y talas de manglares a un lado de la vía más hermosa del reino en cuyo borde se reunirá lo más granado del estrato 6 con la miseria de la ciénaga, y un poco mas allá, bordeando esta ciénaga, un bello tramo interruptus de vía perimetral que no comunica nada con nada pero que será necesario para los 15 días de las justas.
Pero algo bueno había de suceder en Absurdia: lejos de la barahúnda y sus bambalinas, más allá de las caravanas y sus camellos, la clase media del reino, retirada del agua y sus costosos progresos, está empujando vigorosamente al otro extremo una tercera ciudad renovada, aunque por el momento solo sea a lado y lado de su adolorida espina dorsal...
* * *
Plegaria del Abate:
Ilumina, Señor, a los más pobres del reino, a los que habitan los palafitos de cartón y tablas al borde de la ciénaga, y dales valor para no vender su voto a cambio de un plato fugaz o una volquetada de tierra que los mantendrá sepultados en su acuática miseria.
POR FRANCISCO ANGULO GUERRA (Publicado en el Periodico El Tiempo, 03 Marzo de 2006)
Fuck!
Look; a veces, no se como expresarlo, uhmmm, me siento tenaz cuando pienso en toda la mierda que ha corrido por este mundo, especialmente cuando esta me toca directamente. Y es que cuando uno es el causante generalmente no se da cuenta, o talvez prefiere hacerse el de la vista gorda, pero hoy (y mira la fecha), me toca vivirlo inside. Pienso, pienso constantemente que voy a hacer definitivamente y definitivament no se, , , , , que pensar, que decir, me sieno como un culo, como el puto que no tiene cojones para llevarse por delante al que sea por lo que quiere.
You know to, mi fuerza es él, the one and only, sangre de mi sangre, pero es muy distintinto y no emula el sentir de hombre, este que se encuentra irascible, striking my head muy profundo, intentando no pensar donde esta y realmente que es la vida, queriendo encontrar el perfume de esta en cada bocanada de aire que toma. "Te amo y punto, piensa bien las cosas, por tí espero", gracias y lástima que este mensaje (lo recibi hace 30 segundos), no apacigue mi ira.
Tengo ganas de mandar fly-fly-fly-fly awaaayyyyyy, pero bien lejos this shit, but I'm not strong. OK.
Bueno ya veremos que pasa (con millonarios y santafé, claro esta, je, je, je).
You know to, mi fuerza es él, the one and only, sangre de mi sangre, pero es muy distintinto y no emula el sentir de hombre, este que se encuentra irascible, striking my head muy profundo, intentando no pensar donde esta y realmente que es la vida, queriendo encontrar el perfume de esta en cada bocanada de aire que toma. "Te amo y punto, piensa bien las cosas, por tí espero", gracias y lástima que este mensaje (lo recibi hace 30 segundos), no apacigue mi ira.
Tengo ganas de mandar fly-fly-fly-fly awaaayyyyyy, pero bien lejos this shit, but I'm not strong. OK.
Bueno ya veremos que pasa (con millonarios y santafé, claro esta, je, je, je).
Proof
Mensaje de Prueba