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Today we write you to ask that you intervene in the following human rights situations:
The ONIC found that from November 2016 to July 5, 2018 indigenous peoples were subject to:
21 murders, 50 death threats, 20 forcible recruitments, 3 tortured, 19 targeted attacks.
Furthermore, indigenous communities were subjected to 9,422 confinements (restricted
freedom of movement by armed groups), another 1,047 forcibly displaced, and 3 indigenous
persons died due to state neglect.
Land Restitution Leader and Family Displaced Due to Paramilitary Threats (Chocó)
On July 17, the Inter-Ecclesial Commission for Justice and Peace (Justicia y Paz) issued an SOS on
the Truaquero family’s displacement in Curvaradó. They were forced to flee after a member of
the AGC involved in the murder of Duberley Gómez, a member of this family, was arrested. The
AGC vows that they will kill another member of the Truaquero family in response.
On June 20, 400 armed men held a meeting where they extended the previous threats to the
families of the individuals and imposed a confinement of the communities. Members of the
community are not allowed to reap their crops or hunt if they do not possess a certificate
issued by the paramilitary detailing why they are leaving the community and where they are
going. Anyone found without this certificate will be assumed as a member of the ELN. Wifi
access is restricted and groceries must be bought for under $100,000 pesos ($35 dollars) and
include a proof of purchase. To enter the community, you must also have a certificate, which
none of the threatened individuals has been given. Those who fail to follow these rules is
denominated as an ELN sympathizer of member.
Armed Men Look for Absent Rural Farmer Leader in his Home (Cauca)
On July 21, the “Francisco Isaías Cifuentes” Colombian Southwest Human Rights Network
reported that three armed men entered Solmey Botina’s house. He is the Secretary of the
Balboa Municipality Association for Rural Farmers (Asociación de Trabajadores Campesinos del
Municipio de Balboa, ASTCABAL) asking for his whereabouts. His partner Legnny Calvache
reported he was not in the municipality at the time and so the men fled.
AGC Paramilitaries Threaten Multiple Organizations via WhatsApp (Cauca)
On July 22, Cristobal Guamanga received a letter from the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of
Colombia (AGC) through WhatsApp declaring him and other members of the Pro Constitution
Association of the Farmer Reserve Zone in Mirand, Cauca, amongst many other civil society
organizations in the region. The “Francisco Isaías Cifuentes” Colombian Southwest Human
Rights Network reports that this is not the first letter of this nature distributed to these
organizations.
Avianca Exerts Reprisals against Pilots Engaged in the winter 2017 Strike
Despite its promises to U.S. officials, Avianca has initiated reprisals against the pilots who
engaged in the September-November 2017 strike for equal wages and protection of labor
standards that guarantee full security in airplane operations. They fired 94 and suspended the
contracts of another 112 pilots for “planning and executing the strike.” Another 300 pilots faced
disciplinary investigations while participating in the strike. Captain Hernandez, President of
ACDAC, is being investigated for “generating economic panic,” and is facing spurious legal
charges for his trade union activities. He is being accused of numerous crimes including
providing “false testimonies” and “obstructing justice.” The ACDAC union is facing a lawsuit for
more than $190 US million dollars for the prejudices they fomented against the company
during the strike. When in reality, Avianca had record profits during the strike with its use of
scab pilots. This situation has stigmatized all pilots related to ACDAC to not find work in any
other airline in the world. The lack of upholding labor rights and forceful media stigmatization
against those pilots has blacklisted them from employment elsewhere.
All but 1 of the 15 female pilots disciplined by Avianca were fired which notes that female pilots
were particularly discriminated against and targeted. During the disciplinary proceedings there
was no respect for female pilots who were heads of household’s nor flexibility due to their
motherly duties. Many of the charges against the female pilots are thought to be invented
charges. For example, they urged female pilots to operate a determined airplane for which they
did not have licenses to operate. For all pilots who faced disciplinary proceedings, they were
denied due process and guaranteed legal representation. They were not allowed to prove their
innocence in relation to the charges Avianca brought against them. The Ministry of Labor, who
is designated to run such proceedings according to Decree 2164 of 1959, did not participate in
these processes. The Ministry of Labor, therefore, facilitated the questionable firings of more
than 94 pilots. The fear now is that over time the rest of 450 pilots that remain (around 200
have resigned due to fear) will be fired.
The Guapi Community Unites Actors to Reject Social Leader Killings (Cauca)
On July 24, Afro-Colombian community councils, civil society organizations, the local
government and national ministries, international NGOs, FARC party representatives and others
unified their voices to officially reject and condemn the murders, threats, and mistreatment of
social leaders and human rights defenders.
We thank you in advance for your attention to these important matters. Please contact us for
further details if needed.
Sincerely,
Gimena Sanchez
Director for the Andes