International Solidarity

Columbian unionists assaulted and killed

The police were called in and Jorge Humberto, who was badly stunned, was taken to the clinic. Later the same day, another man came to the office and said that Jorge had 3 days to leave the city.

Jorge Humberto is one of the more fortunate public sector trade union leaders. He is alive today because of international solidarity. He has left the country, taking temporary asylum abroad with the help of PSI and other public sector trade unions.

Like Jorge Humberto, many others have been forced to flee their homes, or take exile abroad. Too many have been assassinated in cold blood. There were 184 assassinations of Colombian trade unionists in 2001 according to the ICFTU and at least 148 assassinations this year up to 1 November 2002.

That is why PSI, at its last Congress in Ottawa in September 2002, agreed to take the occasion of international human rights day, 10th December, to denounce the persistent violations of human rights in Colombia and to call for an end to impunity.

The vast majority of the violations of human rights in Colombia directed at trade unionists come from paramilitary groups. There are well-documented links between the paramilitary groups and the Armed Forces of Colombia. Many of the crimes could be investigated and those responsible placed on trial. However, because of the lack of political will on the part of government authorities, very few cases are followed up. This merely perpetuates the state of violence and intimidation.

The public services and education trade unions are among the worst affected sectors in Colombia. 80% of the assassinations involve public sector and education trade unionists.

The main demand of the Colombia trade union movement is for an end to impunity so that those responsible for human rights violations are charged, sentenced and imprisoned. If this begins to happen, then the violence can end. This is possible as has been shown in Central America, where paramilitary groups linked to the Armed Forces were also responsible for atrocities.

PSI is sending an international mission to Colombia from 5-11 December 2002. The mission objectives include:

Calling for an end to impunity
Support for the Colombian public sector trade unions' demand for the withdrawal of the proposed public sector reforms
Calling for implementation in national legislation of ILO Convention 151;
Launching the PSI/SINTRAEMCALI publication on the EMCALI anti-privatisation campaign
On 10th December, PSI is calling upon its affiliates to send letters to the Colombian government, calling for an end to impunity and protection for the human rights of public sector workers. The more letters the greater the impact, so please ask your Branch Offices or workplace committees to write as well.

PSI also recommends that PSI affiliates coordinating committees seek an appointment with the Colombian Ambassador to express its condemnation of the lack of political will to investigate and put on trial those responsible for crimes against public sector trade unionists.

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/campaigns/public_sector_wages/20021210_103.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005