From: Colombian Labor Monitor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 16:25:45 -0500 (CDT)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: AI: Urgent Action #227/01 on Colombia
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
________________________________________________________________
10 September 2001
UA 227/01 Fear for Safety/Possible Disappearance
COLOMBIA
Alvaro Laiton Cortes (m), teacher and trade union leader
Teacher Alvaro Laiton Cortes was reportedly abducted by gunmen
thought to be army-backed paramilitaries, in Boyaca Department, on
8 September. His whereabouts are now unknown, and Amnesty
International is seriously concerned for his safety.
Alvaro Laiton Cortes, who teaches social sciences at the Pio Laberto
Ferro de Chinchinquira school, is the leader of the Boyaca teachers'
union.
Four heavily-armed men reportedly stopped the taxi in which he was
traveling, on the road from Saboya to Chinquinquira, and forced him
into their car. His abductors are thought to be members of the
Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC), United Self-Defense
Forces of Colombia.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Teachers have frequently been the victim of human rights violations
committed by army-backed paramilitary forces who accuse them of
sympathizing or collaborating with guerrilla forces. Guerrilla groups
have also killed and threatened teachers they accuse of sympathizing
with the security forces or their paramilitary allies.
The security forces and their paramilitary allies often accuse trade
unionists of being guerrilla sympathizers or auxiliaries. Those they
accuse are frequently harassed, tortured and killed. At least 112 trade
unionists were murdered during 2000, the majority by army-backed
paramilitaries. According to the Colombian Trade Union
Confederation (Central Unitaria de Trabajadores, CUT), 93 trade
union activists have been killed so far this year. In December 2000, a
senior trade union leader, Wilson Borja Diaz, had to flee the country
after he was shot and wounded by gunmen (UA 387/00 issued 21
December 2000). Judicial investigations have linked several active
and retired police officers to the attack.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of Alvaro Laiton Cortes, who was
reportedly abducted by paramilitaries on 8 September between the
municipalities of Saboya and Chinquinquira, department of Boyaca,
and whose whereabouts are now unknown;
- urging the authorities to do everything possible to find out where he
is and guarantee his safety;
- expressing concern for the safety of other teachers and members of
teachers' unions, and urging the authorities to do everything deemed
appropriate by the union members themselves to guarantee their
safety;
- urging the authorities to take immediate action to dismantle
paramilitary groups, in line with stated government commitments and
United Nations recommendations.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic:
Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana Arango
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8 No.7-26
Santafe de Bogota
COLOMBIA
Faxes: 011 57 1 336 2109 / 337 1351/286 74 34/ 286 68 42/284 21
86
Salutation: Dear President / Excmo. Sr. Presidente
Minister of the Interior:
Dr. Armando Estrada Villa
Ministerio del Interior
Palacio Echeverry
Carrera 8a, No.8-09, piso 2o.
Santafe de Bogota,
COLOMBIA
Faxes: 011 57 1 562 5298/ 562 9890
Salutation: Dear Sir / Sr. Ministro
Governor of the Department of Boyaca:
Sr. Oscar Eduardo Riano Alonso
Gobernador del Departamento de Boyaca
Gobernacion de Boyaca
Tunja, Boyaca, COLOMBIA
Fax: 011 57 8 742 6540
Salutation: Dear Governor / Sr. Governador
COPIES TO:
Non-governmental organization:
Fundacion Comite de Solidaridad con los Presos Politicos
AA 22803
Santafe de Bogota
Colombia
Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Pl. NW
Washington DC 20008
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 October 22, 2001.
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: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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