Colombia this Week -- Editing Date September 26

Thurs 19 - Credhos reports increase of disappearances and torture in Magdalena Medio

Regional human rights organisation Credhos says in its 2001/2002 report that disappearances, incidences of torture and threats against Colombian NGO members have increased in the Magdalena Medio region (Santander) and southern Bolívar. According to Credhos this is due to AUC having taken over municipal governments and carrying out a campaign of social cleansing.

Comunidades de Autodeterminación in Cacarica (Chocó) declare themselves in state of emergency due to a severe lack of educational and health services.

 

Fri 20 - Priest shot dead in Medellín; Concern for demonstrating campesinos

Priest José Luis Arroyave is assassinated by unknown gunmen in Medellín.

FARC reportedly kidnap five civilians near Neira (Caldas) and release one of them shortly afterwards.

Amnesty International says it is seriously concerned for the safety of Augustín Jiménez Cuello, Flor Munera and others members of the NGO Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos (Political Prisoners Solidarity Committee) in Bogotá, after recent death threats against them.

Amnesty International is also concerned for the safety of peasant farmer communities and social activists participating in demonstrations in Cauca after reports that security forces have used tear-gas against them and restricted access to food, water and medical attention.

At least 23 members of a humanitarian commission visiting demonstrating campesinos in Cauca are temporarily arrested.

Colombian Air Force says around 200 guerillas have been killed during bombardments of FARC camps in Ituango region (Antioquia).

Uribe Vélez sends letter to George Bush, reacting to USA’s request to sign bilateral agreement to protect US citizens and military personal in Colombia from prosecution by International Criminal Court (ICC). He says that such an agreement is not necessary, because an existing bilateral treaty from 1962 already provides for immunity for US citizens working for US Government in Colombia.

International NGO Reporters Without Borders criticize Colombian government restrictions on foreign journalists entering Zonas de Rehabilitación and Consolidación and say media should be allowed in without restrictions.

 

Sat 21 - Government names first Zones of Rehabilitation; End of peasant protests

Government establishes first two Zonas de Rehabilitación y Consolidación, granting broad authority to Armed Forces. One zone is made up of nine municipalities in Bolívar and 15 in Sucre, the other zone consists of 3 municipalities in Arauca.

End of five-day blockade of Panamericana in Cauca after thousands of protesting campesinos have been promised that departmental government will consider their demands. Francisco Isaias Cifuentes regional human rights network reports that after end of demonstration two participants have disappeared and security forces have continued to harass peasants and delayed their return home.

Army reports that nine FARC and ELN guerrillas have been killed and 15 arrested during operations in Antioquia, Chocó and several other departments.

Chief of Police, Teodoro Campo announces that government will stop paying money to hooded informants. Payment will instead be handed over in special cubicles to conceal identity of recipients.

 

Sun 22 - Ombudsman criticises special powers of security forces; Unionist arrested

Defensor del Pueblo, Eduardo Cifuentes says that attribution of special powers to Army in Zones of Rehabilitation and Consolidation is unconstitutional and that his regional offices need more funds in order to guarantee the right to defense of those arrested under security measures.

One of leaders of Oil Workers’ Union USO in Bogotá, Saúl Suárez Donado was reportedly arrested when visiting the Fiscalía to bring charges related to harassment and death threats against him by AUC. USO says that five other members already face trials after having been charged with rebellion, and that it sees legal proceedings as part of government’s campaign against human rights defenders, social activists and unionists.

Inhabitants of village in Dibulla municipality (La Guajira) say that local police were aware of paramilitary entering village last Tuesday and did nothing. Two people were killed and at least six abducted during the incursion; four of those kidnapped were later found dead.

Seven ELN guerrillas are killed during fighting with Army in Arboledas (Norte de Santander).

Governor of Bolívar, Luis Daniel Vargas criticizes government’s decision to restrict civil liberties and authority of the civilian government in his department by including it in a Zona de Rehabilitación y Consolidación.

In his first televised speech, Uribe tells Colombians that major budget cuts and tax increases are necessary for government to afford additional military spending and to avert an economic crisis. He also proposes to include the abolition of Personerías (offices of municipal human rights ombudspersons) in the planned referendum.

 

Mon 23 - Government plans to change law about political status of armed groups

Interior Minister, Fernando Londoño asks Congress to modify article 8 of Law 418 that makes political status of armed groups prerequisite for negotiations with such groups. Londoño says this is apt because none of armed group are fit to be granted political status. Representative of NGO Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos (Political Prisoners Solidarity Committee, Cspp) says this modification could open door for negotiations with and impunity of paramilitaries.

One men and one child reportedly killed in crossfire between Army and FARC in Brisas de Yanacué (Bolívar).

 

Tues 24 - US issue indictment against Castaño; Bush pushes for bilateral agreement on ICC

US Attorney General Ashcroft unseals drug-trafficking indictments against AUC leaders Carlos Castaño, Salvatore Manusco and Juan Carlos Sierra-Ramírez, charging them with bringing more than 17 tons of cocaine to USA and Europe and alleging that Castaño participated in kidnapping and violent acts to maintain control over production and distribution. Uribe Vélez says Colombia will comply with extradition request.

Carlos Castaño sends letter to US Ambassador in Colombia, Anne Patterson and repeats his offer to surrender to US authorities in order to prove his innocence. He also says he will cut all ties with AUC for as long as he is suspected to have been involved in drug trafficking.

Human Rights Watch issues a statement welcoming the indictment of AUC leaders and asking Colombian government to ensure they are brought to justice.

In meeting with Uribe Vélez, US President George Bush insists on bilateral agreement that would oblige Colombia to exempt US citiziens working in Colombia for the US Government from jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Inhabitants of El Charco (Nariño) rebel against AUC members who have been living in the community and been terrorizing it for more than a year. They kill one and injure four paramilitaries and the intruders withdraw

El Tiempo reports that in opinion poll conducted by Invamer Gallup, 45% of those Colombians interviewed were of opinion that armed conflict is best solved by way of negotiations, while 48% cent were in favour of military solution. 66% said paramilitaries should be included in possible peace talks, 27% were against this.

Uribe Vélez meets members of US Senate and House of Representatives. He tells meeting at Council of Foreign Relations that he will pursue paramilitaries as vigorously as guerrillas and that his government is committed to human rights.

 

Weds 25 - Castaño negotiates with US; Local councillor assassinated in Armenia

AUC leader Carlos Castaño says in a radio interview he is negotiating surrender to US authorities and that his lawyer, Joaquin Pérez is already in Washington.

FARC assassinate a local councillor during an incursion in Pijao (Armenia).

Inhabitants of Brisas de Yanacué (Bolívar) say that the death of man and a child on Monday was not due to crossfire but to the Army direcly attacking civilians. They ask for a truth commission to visit the community and establish course of events.

El Tiempo reports that Interior Minister, Fernando Londoño has denied any possibility that imprisoned guerrillas might be exchanged for hostages held by FARC or ELN. He has also said that his government is expecting the USA to ask for extradition of FARC leaders.

FARC release mayor of El Guacamayo (Santander) whom they had kidnapped on Sunday.

During his meeting with George Bush and US Government officials, Uribe Vélez asks for support in solving social and economic problems as well as the armed conflict in Colombia.

 

Thurs 26 - Annan worried about humanitarian crisis; Hostages’ relatives criticize government

In meeting with Uribe Vélez, UN Secretary Kofi Annan expresses concern over humanitarian crisis and human rights situation in Colombia and reiterates that the armed conflict requires a political solution. He also says that all Government measures should be based on full respect for international human rights laws.

Army reportedly kills 7 FARC guerrillas during fighting in Tolima and Cundinamarca.

Office of the Attorney General has issued an arrest warrant for Carlos Castaño, accusing him of being responsible for the killing of 30 people during a massacre in Chengue (Sucre) on 17 January 2001.

Interior Minister, Fernando Londoño asserts that AUC leader Carlos Castaño can only be tried for drug-trafficking in the USA, not for terrorism. He also says it is possible that Castaño’s charges will be reduced if he agrees to provide US authorities with information about drug trade.

Inhabitants of Ciénaga del Opón (Santander) complain about presence of AUC in their village and say that authorities have not responded to their pleas for help.

Families of hostages held by guerrillas criticize Interior Minister’s rejection of any exchange of guerrilla prisoners and hostages. NGO Asfamipaz points out that Peace Commissioner Luis Restrepo has promised government would work towards an agreement with guerrilla groups to achieve release of hostages.

Governor of Cauca, Floro Tunubalá reportedly rejects government plans to establish a Zona de Rehabilitación and Consolidación in Cauca. He says this would interfere with attempts to establish regional dialogue with armed groups, worsen plight of displaced and lead to more human rights violations.

Prosecutor has charged 82 persons, most of them members of the Colombian Police, with embezzlement of $2 million of US aid meant to be used for fight against drugs.

 

Colombia This Week is a news summary produced and distributed by ABColombia Group. Sources include daily Colombian, US, European and Latin American newspapers, and reports from non-governmental organisations and the UN System. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the ABColombia Group.

 

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