From: Colombian Labor Monitor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 12:28:50 -0500 (CDT)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Letter of Solidarity to Caravan
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2001 20:16:47 -0400
From: Pablo Alejandro Leal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Letter of Solidarity to Caravan
Please forward on to lists and networks. Spanish version forthcoming
Toronto, Canada August 7 2001
The Canada Colombia Solidarity Campaign in solidarity with
the International Caravan for Life to Southern Bolivar
The International Caravan for Life has been threatened
On August 4, a communique signed by various municipal mayors from Southern
Bolivar, where the Interantional Caravan for Life is scheduled to arrive
shortly, describing the Caravan as a 'clientelist caravan to offer help,
donations, and aid with the perverse proposition of attacking the good faith
of poor communities in the region in order to win their consent to the
demilitarized zone proposal of the terrorist guerrilla organization of the
ELN.'
Later, on August 6, the International Caravan left Barrancabermeja to San
Pablo where it arrived at 9 AM, to discover that there was a roadblock in
the San Pablo zone led by the groups ASOCIPAZ, Movimiento No al Despeje and
CONSTRUPAZ, all groups organized to oppose the the zone of encounter for the
ELN peace talks. All groups have also been denounced by Colombian human
rights groups as being sponsored by paramilitaries.
The Canada Colombia Solidarity Campaign (CCSC) manifests its unequivocal
support and solidarity for the International Caravan for Life to Southern
Bolivar in the face of the blockades and efforts by the municipal
authorities to delegitimize the humanitarian mission. The Canada Colombia
Solidarity Campaign (CCSC) recognizes the indispensable work of the
individuals, organizations and nations behind the Caravan as an expression
of genuine solidarity with those communities of Southern Bolivar that have
been subjected to a paramilitary siege and blockade, cutting off the flow of
food and much needed supplies to its inhabitants.
The CCSC recognizes that humanitarian assistance to populations under risk
is a fundamental right under international humantiarian law; that
humanitarian assistance is protected under Colombia's current legislation to
the extent that its obstruction can bring penalities of up to 10 years in
prison and fines of up to 500 monthly salaries; that the International
Caravan's efforts are recognized as legitimate by the United Nations High
Commission for Human Rights, the United Nations High Commission of Refugees,
the International Red Cross, the Colombian Armed Forces and the Colombian
Government represented by the Minister of the Interior, the Vicepresident of
the Republic, the Attorney General and the Human Rights Ombudsman, who have
all committed to guaranteeing the life and security of all Caravan
delegates.
The Canada Colombia Solidarity Campaign denounces the threats that have
been perpetrated against the International Caravan for Life. We recognize
that the International Caravan for Life are not "terrorist guerrilla
supporters", as the municipal authorities argue, but rather are acting to
support those communities which have been vicitims of a systematic
paramilitary seige. We urge that the Colombian government, who is
responsible for the safety of citizens and travelers, do their part to
protect the human rights of these people at this critical time.
Sincerely,
Canada Colombia Solidarity Campaign (CCSC)
________________________________________________________________
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