From: Colombian Labor Monitor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 14:09:07 -0500 (CDT) To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: CUT: Continuing Genocide Against The Colombian Trade Union Movement ________________________________________________________________ CENTRAL UNITARIA DE TRBAJADORES DE COLOMBIA - C.U.T. Monday, 21 May 2001 Press Communique BOGOTA -- The Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Colombia, the CUT, through its Executive National Committee: INFORMS International Trade Union Centres, Human Rights NGOs, Governments of Democratic States, The European Parliament in Brussels - Belgium, Mary Robinson the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (Geneva - Switzerland), the Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations - Mr. Andres Kompass (Bogota), International Labour Organisation (Geneva - Switzerland), Office of the ILO Director General's Special Representative in Bogota, Diplomatic Corps from Europe and Latin America in Colombia, national and international communications media. Continuing Genocide Against The Colombian Trade Union Movement On 2 May 2001, DARIO DE JESUS SILVA, a teacher belonging to the Antioquia Association of Instructors ADIDA-CUT, a CUT affiliate, wss assassinated in the Municipality of Sabaneta in Antioquia Department. He had worked for 22 years in the Rafael Mejia College in Sabaneta. On 9 May 2001, JUAN CARLOS CASTRO ZAPATA was assassinated in Copacabana, also in Antioquia Department. He had worked for 5 years in Granizada School in the Municipality of Copacabana, and he too was a member of ADIDA-CUT. On 10 May 2001, EUGENIO SANCHEZ DIAZ was assassinated in Codazzi, Cesar Department. The comrade was President of SINTRACUEMPONAL, the National Union of Water, Drainage and Public Works Workers. He was shot by paramilitaries. On 14 May 2001, JULIO ALBERTO OTERO, a member ASPU-CUT, the Professional Association of University Lecturers, was assassinated. He was shot at 9pm whilst out walking with his wife and son at the Norte Camello viewing point in Santa Marta, Magdalena Department, at the hands of armed men. The comrade was Vice-Chancellor of Magdalena Technology University. On 21 May, CARLOS ELIECER PRADO, an activist of the Cali Municipal Workers Union SINTRAEMCALI, was assassinated at 7am on his arrival at work. He received 11 bullets. The union's security guards returned fire, stopping a car and killing one of the assassins. So far this year there have been 44 SELECTIVE ASSASSINATIONS of leaders, activists and workers, murders committed by paramilitary groups of the extreme right led by Mr. Carlos Castano. Because of this barbarity we ask with all our might that when the Administration Council of the International Labour Organisation ILO meets in June 2001 [a tripartite body consisting of the employers, states and workers] it votes for an INVESTIGATION COMMISSION to go to Colombia. [This would be] a strong call on the government of Dr. Andres Pastrana Arango so that in truth he installs a policy of dismounting the paramilitary groups, and retires from active service military officers where trade unionists have been killed. The Administration Council of the ILO does not need to listen to more speeches and unfulfilled promises, in response to the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the Organisation of American States Human Rights Commission and the reports of the ILO itself, none of which have been implemented. For us the Investigation Commission is a very useful means, and the only way at this time, to save the lives of our trade union leaders. We reiterate that the Colombian State headed by the Government must guarantee life in times of Peace or War, and so we consider that the Government's attempts to portray itself as a victim of Colombia's internal conflict is a policy of evasion so as not to assume responsibility for the grave situation. This situation against the organisations of our movement and its leaders cannot be allowed to continue. Yours sincerely, JESUS ANTONIO GONZALEZ LUNA Director Human Rights Department (Translated on request of the author by Colombia Solidarity Campaign, [EMAIL PROTECTED]) ________________________________________________________________ **************************************************************** * CLM-NEWS is brought to you by the COLOMBIAN LABOR MONITOR at * * http://www.prairienet.org/clm * * and the CHICAGO COLOMBIA COMMITTEE * * Email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or * * Dennis Grammenos at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * **************************************************************** * To unsubscribe send request to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * unsubscribe clm-news * **************************************************************** _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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