Amnesty International is seriously concerned at reports that army-
backed paramilitary troops have increased their presence in the
northern area of Cauca and southern area of Valle del Cauca over
the last few days. There are particular concerns for the safety of the
25,000 inhabitants in the Alto and Bajo Naya region in the
municipalities of Timba, Suarez, Buenos Aires and Buenaventura.
Since the massacre of over 32 civilians in this area in April 2001,
there have been repeated rumours and threats of a further massacre.
Civilian inhabitants of the municipalities of Timba, Suarez and
Buenos Aires have reported that there now are about 300
paramilitaries in the area. This raises fears of a paramilitary incursion
in these municipalities, especially in the areas of Alto and Bajo Naya
and on the shores of River Yurumangui.
On 11 April 2001, over 32 peasants farmers were killed in the
municipalities of Buenos Aires and Timba (Alto Naya) in a massacre
reportedly carried out by paramilitary groups. The massacre took
place even though the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
had called on the Colombian authorities to take action to protect the
civilian communities on 3 April, in reaction to reports of an imminent
paramilitary attack and despite the heavy military presence in the
region.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to
arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of the indigenous and Afro-
Colombian communities living along the River Naya in Valle del
Cauca and Cauca departments
- expressing concern about the increasing army-backed paramilitary
presence in the region and urging the authorities to take action to
protect the civilian population;
- reminding the authorities that if they fail protect the civilian
population, it will seem that the paramilitaries are operating with the
complicity of the security forces;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the
security forces and paramilitary groups operating in Valle del Cauca
and Cauca departments, urging that the results are made public and
those found responsible for supporting and participating in such
groups are brought to justice;
- urging the authorities to take immediate action to dismantle
paramilitary groups, in line with stated government commitments and
United Nations recommendations.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic:
Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana Arango
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8 No.7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Telegram: Presidente, Bogota, Colombia
Fax: 011 57 1 566 2071 / 336 2109 / 337 1351
Salutation: Dear President / Excmo. Sr. Presidente
Minister of Defense:
Dr. Gustavo Bell
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional
Avenida Eldorado CAN - Carrera 52
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Telegram: Ministro de Defensa, Bogota, Colombia
Telex: 396 42411 INPRE CO; 396 44561 CFAC CO
Fax: 011 57 1 286 4126 / 281 1213 / 222 1874
Salutation: Dear Minister / Sr. Ministro
Commander of the III Brigade of the Colombian Army (in charge of
Alto Naya region):
Comandante III Brigada del Ejercito Nacional
General Francisco Rene Pedraza
Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Telegrams: Comandante, III Brigada Ejercito, Cali
Fax: 011 57 2 330 7161 (Say 'Me da el tono de fax, por
favor')
Salutation: Dear Commander / Sr. Comandante
COPIES TO:
Non-governmental Human Rights Organization Sembrar
Apartado Aereo 18621, Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Pl. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 232 8643
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office
between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if
sending appeals after January 7, 2002.
Ensuring letter-writing actions are not disrupted by new security
measures:
In the light of current security concerns, including concerns about
anthrax being sent through the post to media and government
addresses, authorities in the US and elsewhere will be implementing
security procedures to ensure the safety of mail. Letters to
government officials will be carefully scrutinized and this may mean a
significant delay before they reach the recipients.
This may have an impact on how we can best ensure that appeals on
UA cases and other actions are
delivered as quickly as possible.
Below are some simple suggestions for activists involved in sending
appeals to minimize potential
disruption and to ensure that our concerns reach the authorities as
quickly as possible. Where possible
consider using fax, e-mail etc or postcards, rather than sealed
envelopes, to send appeal letters to authorities.
If letters are sent:
- put a return address on the envelope (the letter should be
sent from the same area)
- provide a complete address and title and write clearly
- don't put lots of enclosures in envelopes
- don't seal envelopes with tape
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.
Please do not repost this appeal to any part of the Internet
without prior permission from Amnesty International. Thank you for
your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881