Colombian Army Murders Rural Trade Unionists

Posted to the IUF website 05-Apr-2005

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The IUF is calling for international protests following the murder by the Colombian army of three rural trade union and peasant activists. Javier Alexander Cubillos, Wilder Cubillos and Heriberto Delgado - all members of the rural workers union FENSUAGRO - were assassinated by the military some time after they left their homes in San Juan de Sumapaz near Bogot� on March 18 on a trip to inspect cattle. On March 27, their families were called to identify their bodies in the morgue. The army claims that the three men - all well known as activists in their local community - were guerillas, and were killed in combat. The Colombian army has frequently invoked this claim, without supplying evidence, to justify the murder with impunity of trade union and political opponents. The IUF has written to the Colombian authorities to condemn the murders and to demand an immediate and public investigation into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and death.

You can send a similar protest message in Spanish to Colombia's Vice-President, Defense Minister and the head of the Presidential Human Rights Program by clicking here. Copies of your message will automatically be sent to the IUF secretariat.