Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 14:48:06 +0200 Hello, the national peasant mobilisation in Colombia next monday (16th) will possibly be under attack by paramilitary groups. Please take some time to send messages of support and/or denounce Colombia: PARAMILITARIES DECLARE LEADERS OF PEASANT MOBILISATION TO BE MILITARY TARGETS URGENT: EARLY ALERT TO : the international community, the international human rights organizations and international intergovernmental bodies By the network for human rights in the southwest of Colombia called “Francisco Isaías Cifuentes” The press communication of the paramilitary commando "conjunto calima" dated the 7th of September 2002, has declared leaders of the social mobilization in the southwest of Colombia to be military targets. This mobilization is being prepared by communities, popular and peasant organizations and trade unions as part of the national peasant mobilization on the 16th of September. In this communication they also state that they are not allowing communities to participate in this mobilization. If they do participate, these communities will also be declared military targets We can add to this the measures adopted by the national government in the framework of the interior state of commotion. These measures attack the fundamental human rights protected by the constitution and international law. The declarations of the minister of defense Martha Lucia Ramírez and other military authorities insist on describing the September 16 mobilization as an activity of the guerilla. This puts the lives and well-being of the leaders, communities and other organizations that participate in this mobilization at high risk. We find the Colombian state responsible for any action or assault against life and well-being of any of the leaders, speakers, negotiators, members of social organizations, members of trade unions, members of popular organizations and or against the communities that participate in this big day of national protest. The social mobilization of the southwest Colombia in 2002 is realized by using the legitimate right of social protest and must be recognized and respected by the Colombian state, avoiding any repressive act against it. From the ministry of internal affairs, we demand: -to guarantee and account for the life and well-being of the leaders, organizations and communities that participate in the national social Colombian mobilization of 2002. -the dismantling of the paramilitary structure and to stop the advance of these groups in the southwest of Colombia. From the international community, we request: · To demand from the national government the immediate compliance with the repeated recommendations on the respect and implementation of the human rights, that the human rights commission of the United Nations, the inter-American commission of the OAS and other international humanitarian bodies have formulated. Especially, the compliance with the demand to combat the paramilitary groups. · To develop extensive actions tended towards overcoming the bad effects of the paramilitary attacks. These attacks have planted terror in the population and have led to forced displacements, crimes, tortures, disappearances, and illegal appropriation of earth. This all in regions where the national army is present, and in the sight of the intelligence and armed bodies of the state. To the office of the high commission of human rights of the united nations, UNHCHR, the delegation of the international red cross, and other international organizations of humanitarian aid. · To make possible mechanisms that permit to accompany, to prevent criminal actions that the paramilitaries of the AUC are committing against the communities in the localities of Santander, El Tambo, El Bordo, Mercaderes y El Estrecho. · To demand to the civil and military authorities, real actions in order to stop the paramilitary advance in the southwest of Colombia. · To demand to the civil authorities to start investigation processes against the members of the national army and the national police, that have permitted and collaborated with the criminal actions of the paramilitaries of the AUC in these municipalities. To the human rights organizations: · To create a commission of verification, to accompany and follow, to certify and denounce the continuing violations of human rights in the municipalities of the Cauca department. · To demand from the national state of Colombia, that it finally faces the paramilitary program and initiates penal processes against the economic groups that finances and plans the crimes against the population of peasants, indigenous' and citizens. Network of Human rights of southeast Colombia “Francisco Isaias Cifuentes” September 12, 2002 Comité pour les droits humains "Daniel Gillard" Maison de la Paix 35, rue Van Elewijck B - 1050 Bruxelles Tél/fax: 32 (0)2 6485118 d.gillard@skynet.be Bruxelles - Belgique
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