Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of the
Afro-Colombian, indigenous and peasant farmer communities of the
Naya River that borders the departments of Valle del Cauca and
Cauca and the Yurumangui River, following reports that a large
number of army-backed paramilitaries are amassing in the region to
in order to launch attacks in the area.
According to information received on 14 February, paramilitaries
based in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca Department, are preparing
to attack guerrillas in the area. In the past, civilian communities in
conflict zones have frequently been labelled guerrilla collaborators by
the security forces and their paramilitary allies. Following these
accusations paramilitary forces have committed serious human rights
violations such as extrajudicial executions, 'disappearances' and
death threats. In April 2001, over 30 people were killed by
paramilitary forces along the river Naya. The paramilitaries had
managed to enter the region en masse despite repeated international
alerts of an imminent incursion and despite the heavy military
presence around the access points to the Alto Naya where the
paramilitary incursion had started.
Since 8 February, an increased paramilitary presence has been
reported along the river Anchicaya to the north of the Yurumangui
River. Paramilitaries have reportedly set up illegal checkpoints in the
communities of Zabaletas, Llano Bajo and San Marcos, raising
concerns for the safety of the civilian population in this area as well.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to
arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of the peasant farmer, indigenous
and Afro-Colombian communities living along the Naya River,
Yurumangui River and Anchicaya River 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 / 562 8930
Salutation: Dear President Pastrana / Excmo. Sr. Presidente
Pastrana
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 1 222 00 59 / 221 3653
Salutation: Dear Minister Bell / Sr. Ministro Bell
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 Pedraza / Sr. Comandante
COPIES TO:
Human Rights Ombudsman:
Sr. Eduardo Cifuentes Munoz,
Defensor del Pueblo, Defensoria del Pueblo,
Calle 55, No. 10-32/46 office 301,
Santafe de Bogota, COLOMBIA
Telegrams: National Advocate, Bogota, Colombia
Fax: 011 57 1 640 0491
Salutation: Dear Mr. Cifuentes Munoz / Estimado Sr. Cifuentes
Munoz
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 March 29, 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