(Translated by Rudy Heller, a CSN Volunteer Translator)
Source: programa derechos humanos
The very existence of Colombian unions is under brutal attack.
There have been continuing and very troubling death threats against union members of SINTRACARBÓN-CUT who work in the mine run by the multinational Drummond, a coal mining company where three union leaders have already been murdered and others are now being threatened.
Such is the case of this week’s assassination of union brother TOMÁS RODRÍGUEZ of SINTRAINAGRO-CUT in the banana growing region, where less than 2 months ago, the 10th Spanish/Irish Human Rights Delegation heard complaints of criminal conduct by paramilitaries who carry out the dirty work of the multinational mining and banana conglomerates.
These new attacks lay bear the government’s lies when it brags of “democratic normalcy”. Last year alone, 28 CUT union leaders were murdered, 5 were disappeared, 14 survived life-threatening aggressions, and 13 were arrested with trumped-up charges.
This talk of “normalcy” is what the Colombian government will present at the upcoming ILO Annual Meeting. It is imperative that people denounce and pressure the government to speak of the truth, and that international solidarity is felt.
See attachments.
Greeting,
Javier Orozco P.
Coordinator Human Rights Program
Attachments:
1
Unified Colombian Workers Union
Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Colombia (CUT)
Legal entity No. 01118 of April 13, 1987
SINTRAINAGRO Union Leader Assassinated in Colombia
CUT, the Unified Colombian Workers Union denounces the May 9th assassination of brother Tomás Rodríguez Cantillo, unionist, negotiator in the Palmera Plantation in Candelaria, Municipality of Ciénaga, State of Magdalena.
Yet another blow against the organized banana workers — another blow against CUT.
This act clearly demonstrates that violence against unions continues to prevail in Colombia.
Let the Government and the businessmen who run the banana plantation answer to the workers for this assassination.
Signed:
Luis Alejandro Pedraza
President
Fabio Arias Giraldo
Secretary General
Domingo Tovar Arrieta
Director, Human Rights and Solidarity Dept.
2
Unified Colombian Workers Union
Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Colombia (CUT)
Legal entity No. 01118 of April 13, 1987
PRESS RELEASE
CUT, the Unified Colombian Workers Union, denounces the Declaration of Violence against the union movement, specifically against Sintracarbón (organized workers of the multinational Drummond corporation) in the State of Guajira, where a very serious crisis is underway and where the governor is presently imprisoned.
On April 30, the paramilitary organizations Los Rastrojos and Aguilas Negras threatened and declared as military objectives “union leaders, CUT and leftist parties”, and specifically HELI ALFONSO ARREGOCES IBARRA, National Comptroller for Sintracarbón, EDILBERTO CONTRERAS HERNÁNDEZ, Comptroller for CUT-Guajira, JAIME DIAZ VEGA, Human Rights Secretary, CUT-Guajira, and ALGEMIRO ÁVILA SALINAS, teacher and political activist.
In the afternoon of May 9, forces of darkness attacked the home of LIBARDO VIDAL, unionized worker registered in Sintracarbón. His pregnant wife was hurt in the attack that took place in the city of Riohacha. This worsens the very troubling threats that have already been reported.
Also, on May 8, [there were] threats against the 15-year old daughter of wayuu leader JACKELINE ROMERO, human rights defender in the indigenous communities affected by the mining operations taking place in the region.
We call for support for the workers, men and women, who have come together in the sub-directorate of CUT-Guajira and in Sintracarbón.
Signed:
Luis Alejandro Pedraza
President
Fabio Arias Giraldo
Secretary General
Domingo Tovar Arrieta
Director, Human Rights and Solidarity Dept.
(This translation may be reprinted as long as its content remains unaltered and the source, author and translator are cited.)