Defending
Human Rights in Colombia
Thursday March 6
Melbourne Rally, 1pm
Parliament
House Melbourne
Spring Street
Melbourne
For the forcibly disappeared
For the displaced
For the unionists
assassinated by paramilitary death squads
In Colombia 3.5-4 million people,
have been forcibly displaced, mostly by paramilitary groups.
These groups,
backed by the military, have ?disappeared? at least 15,000 Colombians and have
buried more than 3000 people in mass graves or thrown their bodies into rivers.
They have killed more than 1700 indigenous people and 2550 unionists. Nearly 5000
members of the Patriotic Union have been assassinated.
Between 1982 and
2005, State security forces or paramilitaries have perpetrated more than 3,500
massacres and stolen more than six million hectares of land. They have also been
responsible for arbitrary detentions, threats, economic blockades, rape and torture,
among others. Campesino, Afrocolombian, and Indigenous communities, as well as
social leaders, human-rights defenders, women, children, trade unionists, journalists
and displaced people are disproportionately targeted.
Despite a "demobilization"
process which began in 2003, paramilitary groups continue to commit crimes, killing
an estimated 600 people every year. Many have in fact not demobilized, while others
have reformed under different names such as the ?Black Eagles?. Paramilitary leaders
have claimed to control 35% of the parliament, and many of these ?para-politicians?
(who have links with these groups) remain in public office.
As recently
as January 2008, paramilitary groups carried out two massacres, forcibly disappeared
9 people and assassinated another 8. The Army has committed 16 extrajudicial executions.
In Colombia, paramilitary and state agents continue to violate human rights
and international humanitarian law, and almost all these crimes remain in impunity.
Despite all these disturbing facts, the Colombian people in different ways
of struggle (from the insurgence to street party festival) are confronting the
state terrorism with more organisation and commitment for deep changes in Colombian
society.
In Australia we denounce and condemn de Colombian and USA governments,
responsible for all these human rights abuses...
We call all the organisations
and people to show their solidarity with Colombian people...
We call the Australian
trade unions to raise their voices and support the Colombian workers. In Colombia
to be a unionist is reason enough for to be killed...We need to do something...
Join us in our solidarity work and show you support on Thursday March 6,
1PM in the steps of Melbourne Parliament House, for our memory and those who still
struggling for a better and just Colombia.
Call initiated by Latin American
Solidarity Network (LANET), the Colombia Solidarity Network and Colombia Demand
Justice Campaign (killer Coke), supporters and sponsors are welcome, write to
latin.american.solidarity.network@gmail.com
In solidarity with Colombia
For those Disappeared, Displaced, Massacred, & Executed.
In solidarity
with social movements committed for people?s rights
In Solidarity for all
those who struggle for justice and dignity,
For the sovereignty of the people,
For a just, fair and free Colombia,
We say no to US intervention in Colombia!
We say no to State Terrorism in Colombia!
Further information:
Media contact: 0413 597 315 or write to marisol.salinas@foe.org.au
Initiated
by:
In Melbourne Australia;
Latin American Solidarity Network (LASNET)
- www.latinlasnet.org
Colombia Solidarity Network - Melbourne
Colombia
Demand Justice Campaign (Killer Coke)
In Colombia: Social and Human Rights
Organizations of Colombia Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE)
In USA: Colombia Support Network
In England: Justice for Colombia
Supported by:
Chilean Popular and Indigenous Solidarity Network
Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network
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