Colombia: SINTRAINAGRO Leaders Still at Risk

Posted to the IUF website 07-Oct-2003

Share this article.



Earlier this year we reported on threats to the lives and security of officers of the Colombian rural workers union SINTRAINAGRO. As over 400 SINTRAINAGRO leaders and members have been murdered since 1989, the threat to union members and leaders must at all times be taken extremely seriously.

On July 31, armed men entered the home of Euclides G�mez, a SINTRAINAGRO officer in the banana zone of Ci�nega, Magdalena. His life was spared only because he was not at home. And on September 9, the government of Colombia abruptly withdrew - without providing any reasons - the security measures (driver, bodyguards etc.) which had previously been provided for union president Guillermo Rivera. The secretariat requested urgent protests to the Colombian government demanding adequate protection for these and all other SINTRAINAGRO leaders who request it.

SINTRAINAGRO has now informed us that, in response to the international pressure, protection has now been restored to Guillermo Rivera. The union has thanked the IUF for the international support they received, but points out that Euclides G�mez is still without protection despite the attempt on his life.

We therefore request that you write the Colombian authorities to demand, as a measure of urgency, that all necessary protection be provided to Euclides G�mez and all other SINTRAINAGRO officers who request it, and to emphasize that the government of Colombia will be held directly accountable for failing to implement the necessary security measures for these threatened trade unionists.

A sample message follows below. Kindly send copies to the secretariat of any messages you might send.

Sample Message to the President of Colombia

To: Dr. Alvaro Uribe V�lez
Presidente de la Rep�blica
Fax: + 571 566 2071/+ 571 334 1323
E-Mail: [email protected]

Se�or
Presidente de la Rep�blica de Colombia
Dr. Alvaro Uribe

Asunto: Ref.: Seguridad para el dirigente sindical Euclides G�mez y otros dirigentes de SINTRAINAGRO

Como sin duda usted sabe, m�s de cuatrocientos dirigentes y miembros de SINTRAINAGRO han sido asesinados desde 1989. El 31 de julio, hombres armados irrumpieron en el hogar de Euclides G�mez, un directivo de SINTRAINAGRO en la zona bananera de Ci�naga, Magdalena, cuya protecci�n estatal le hab�a sido retirada. Pudo salvar su vida debido a que no se encontraba en su casa.

Es de por s� evidente el gran riesgo que corren las vidas y la seguridad de los dirigentes y miembros de SINTRAINAGRO. La protecci�n ha sido restituida al presidente del sindicato, Guillermo Rivera, y no puede existir una raz�n v�lida para neg�rsela a otros directivos de SINTRAINAGRO que est�n expuestos a igual riesgo. En consecuencia, le exhorto a actuar inmediatamente para garantizar que se proporcione toda la protecci�n necesaria, conforme con la situaci�n, al Sr. G�mez y a toda la dirigencia de SINTRAINAGRO que as� lo solicite. El gobierno de Colombia ser� considerado internacionalmente responsable si estos dirigentes sindicales se ven expuestos a la violencia, en momentos en que el estado les ha privado de las necesarias medidas de seguridad.

Muy atentamente,

cc: Dr. Fernando Londo�o Hoyos
Ministro del Interior y Justicia
Fax: + 571 560 46 30
E-Mail: [email protected]

Dr. Rafael Bustamente
Director Grupo de Protecci�n
Fax: +571 566 3234
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

SINTRAINAGRO
Fax: +574 828 5088
E-Mail: [email protected]

UNAC
E-Mail: [email protected]
Fax: +571 245 44 71

English Translation

Dear Mr. President

Concerns: security for trade union leader Euclides G�mez and leaders of SINTRAINAGRO

As you are no doubt aware, well over four hundred SINTRAINAGRO leaders and members have been assassinated since 1989. On July 31, armed gunmen entered the home of Euclides G�mez, a SINTRAINAGRO officer in the banana sector in Ci�naga, Magdalena whose state protection has been withdrawn. His life was spared because he was not at home.

The great risk to the lives and safety of SINTRAINAGRO leaders and members is self-evident. Protection has been restored to union president Guillermo Rivera, and there can be no valid reason for denying it to other SINTRAINAGRO officers who are equally at risk. I therefore call upon you to act immediately to insure that Mr. G�mez and the entire leadership of SINTRAINAGRO who so request it are provided with all the necessary protection appropriate to the situation. The government of Colombia will be held internationally accountable should these union leaders be exposed to violence at a time when the state has withdrawn the necessary security measures.

Sincerely