Go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/newslett.html
to read this month's newsletter.
28 March 2002
UA 95/02 Fear for safety
COLOMBIA The civilian population of Puerto Rondon and Cravo
Norte municipalities, Arauca Department including at least 21 named
individuals
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the civilian
population of Puerto Rondon and Cravo Norte municipalities, Arauca
Department, following reports of a planned paramilitary incursion into
the municipalities over Easter.
Suspected paramilitaries issued a death threat to at least 21 named
individuals in a leaflet circulated in Puerto Rondon on 6 March. Those
named were reportedly given one month to leave the region or else
they would become 'paramilitary targets'.
The XVIII Brigade of the Colombian Army have reportedly decided to
withdraw troops stationed in both the urban areas and outskirts of
Puerto Rondon and Cravo Norte municipalities. Given the reports of
a planned paramilitary incursion, as well as reports of paramilitary
checkpoints two kilometres from the Cravo Norte town centre,
Amnesty International fears that the civilian population has been left
unprotected from paramilitary attacks.
Non-governmental human rights organizations working in the area
have expressed their concern at the decision of the XVIII Brigade.
Many have requested preventative action on behalf of the civilian
population by the Colombian government and security forces in the
area.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Members of the Colombian army and security forces and their
paramilitary allies commit serious human rights violations with virtual
impunity. In the last five years several thousand civilians have been
killed by paramilitary groups. The Colombian government suspended
the constitutional legal base for the formation of paramilitary
organizations and issued directives to the armed forces to combat
and disband such groups in 1989, yet they continue to work with the
support of the security forces - by action or omission - in many areas
of the country. Guerrilla forces have also carried out numerous killings
and other violations of international humanitarian law against
members of peasant, black, and indigenous communities, whom they
accuse of collaborating with the security forces or paramilitary
groups.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of the civilian population in Puerto
Rondon and Cravo Norte;
- asking the authorities what action they will take to guarantee the
safety of those at risk;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into the threats against at
least 21 people in Puerto Rondon, with the results made public and
those responsible brought to justice;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the
security forces and paramilitary groups operating in Arauca
Department, and asking that the results of the investigation 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
recommendations made by the UN and other intergovernmental
organizations.
APPEALS TO:
President of Colombia:
Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8 No. 7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Telegrams: President Pastrana, Bogota, COLOMBIA
Telex: 396 44281 PALP CO
Fax: 011 57 1 566 2071
Salutation: Dear President Pastrana / Excelentisimo Sr.
Presidente Pastrana
Minister of the Interior:
Dr. Armando Estrada Villa
Ministro del Interior
Ministerio del Interior
Palacio Echeverry, Carrera 8a, No.8-09, piso 2o.
Santafe de Bogota, COLOMBIA
Telegram: Ministro Interior, Bogota, Colombia
Fax: 011 57 1 562 5298 (if someone answers say 'me da
tono de fax por favor')
Salutation: Dear Sir / Sr. Ministro
Commander General of the Armed Forces:
General Fernando Tapias Stahelin
Comandante General de las Fuerzas Militares
Avenida El Dorado - Carrera 52
Santafe de Bogota, COLOMBIA
Telegram: Commander General, Bogota, Colombia
Fax: 011 57 1 221 2935/ 222 2096 / 221 3653
Salutation: Dear Commander General Tapias Stahelin /
Estimado Sr. Tapias Stahelin
National Advocate for the people:
Sr. Eduardo Cifuentes Munoz
Defensor del Pueblo, Defensoria del Pueblo
Calle 55, No. 10-32/46 office 301
Santafe de Bogota, COLOMBIA
Telegram: National Advocate, Bogota, Colombia
Fax: 011 57 1 640 0491
Salutation: Dear Mr. Cifuentes Munoz / Estimado Sr. Cifuentes
Munoz
COPIES TO:
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 May 9, 2002.
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