URGENT ACTION APPEAL
Go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/newslett.html
to read this month's newsletter.
25 February 2002
UA 59/02 Fear for Safety
COLOMBIA Members of Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de
la Industria de Alimentos, (SINALTRAINAL), National Union of Food
Industry Workers
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of
members of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Industria
de Alimentos, (SINALTRAINAL), National Union of Food Industry
Workers, after shots were fired at its headquarters in Cali, Valle del
Cauca Department on 14 February.
An unidentified gunman reportedly shot at the third floor of the
SINALTRAINAL headquarters from outside the building. Four
SINALTRAINAL members on the third floor, had to take cover but
were not injured as a result of the shooting. No arrests have been
made, despite the fact that the police were reportedly immediately
notified and a patrol car was sent to search for the gunman and
another unidentified man seen with him.
The attempt at the SINALTRAINAL headquarters comes at a time
when the trade union is reportedly preparing a law suit in the United
States regarding alleged human rights violations by paramilitaries
against SINALTRAINAL trade unionists working in bottling plants
contracted by the Coca-Cola Company. The attack also follows
threats against and killings of other trade unionists, trade union
activists and their families by army-backed paramilitaries in Cali (UA
53/02 issued 18 February 2002).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The security and armed forces and their paramilitary allies have often
accused trade unionists, human rights workers, members of legal
opposition groups and popular activists of being guerrilla
sympathizers or auxiliaries. The people they have accused have
frequently been harassed, tortured and killed, often by paramilitaries.
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
recorded that in 2001 alone, over 160 trade unionists were murdered,
and that harassment and violence is widespread. According to
reports from the Colombian Trade Union Confederation (CUT), so far
this year at least 20 trade unionists have been killed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of SINALTRAINAL members in
Cali, Valle del Cauca Department;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into the shooting at the
union's headquarters in Cali, with the results made public and those
responsible brought to justice;
- asking the authorities what action they will take to guarantee the
safety of those at risk, and calling for the Ministry of Interior's
protection program for trade unionists to be adequately resourced;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the
security forces and paramilitary groups operating in Valle del Cauca
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:
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 Minister Estrada Villa / Sr. Ministro Estrada Villa
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 1 691 5455 (if someone answers say 'me da
tono de fax por favor')
Salutation: Dear Mr. Cifuentes Munoz / Estimado Sr. Cifuentes
Munoz
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
Telegram: Presidente de la Republica, Bogota, Colombia
Telex: 396 44281 PALP CO
Fax: 011 57 1 566 2071 / 562 8930
Salutation: Dear President Pastrana / Excelentisimo Sr.
Presidente Pastrana
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 April 8, 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