Press Release

Brussels, April 24, 1998

"Mr. Samper:  Meet your Responsibilities"

In a joint letter addresses to President Samper, diverse Non-
Governmental Organizations from Europe, Latin America and Canada, 
together with such personalities as Mrs. Danielle Miterrand and 
European Parliament Members, have expressed their repudiation of 
the assassination of the well-known human rights defender, Eduardo 
Umaña Mendoza, murdered at his home on April 18.

In the letter, those groups express how "the policy of inaction and 
omission adopted by the Colombian government for years persists, 
delaying the solving of the crimes and recreating the necessary 
conditions so that the perpetrators of those crimes remain in 
impunity, at the same time stimulating the environment in which the 
criminal activity continues unabated. At the same time, they 
underline the Colombian State's non-fulfilment of multiple 
international recommendations. 

In turn, the letter recalls how, through a declaration of its president 
on April 9, the Human Rights Commission expressed its 
preoccupation about the fate of human rights defenders and about 
the fact that military intelligence organizations construe human 
rights defenders as allies of guerrilla groups.

The letter closes with a series of recommendations that go from the 
formation of a mixed commission that reviews the intelligence files 
and the prosecution and punishment of those responsible for the 
crimes against the defenders, to the dismantling of paramilitary 
groups and the groups previously known as CONVIVIR. At the same 
time, the letter urges the president to fulfill the responsibilities that 
correspond to him in his role as Head of the State and of the 
Government, and as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Brussels, April 24, 1998

=============

Ref.: The plight of human rights defenders 


Mr. President:

It was with deep pain and profound repudiation that we have 
received the news of the murder, in Santafe de Bogota, of the lawyer, 
university professor, and human rights and political prisoner 
defender, EDUARDO UMAñA MENDOZA, who throughout several 
decades took charge of investigating extremely serious cases of 
human rights violations committed both by paramilitary groups and 
by security agents of the Colombian State, as well as defending 
people accused and prosecuted because of political reasons. 

This new crime adds to another twenty (20) carried out during 1997 
against human rights defenders, the most recent instances being the 
murder of Dr. JESUS MARIA VALLE, President of the Permanent 
Human Rights Commission of Antioquia and the assassination, on 
April 17, 1998, of the sixty-year old leader of the Communist Party, 
MARIA ARANGO FONNEGRA, who had been in exile for ten years.

The international community is witness that these crimes have been 
committed amid a generalized climate of hostility, persecution, 
assaults, disapparitions and murders against human rights defenders, 
which has intensified in the last tree years, and has been 
exhaustively and repeatedly denounced by Colombian and 
international NGOs before judicial authorities, before diverse 
governmental sectors, and personally, before President Samper

Unfortunately, nothing has been done in the face of the 
recommendations by various intergovernmental groups and by 
prestigious international human rights organizations. The same 
inaction has met the concrete proposals to avoid the repetition of 
such crimes, advanced by Colombian NGOs. On the contrary, the 
policy of inaction and omission adopted by the Colombian 
government for years persists, delaying the solving of the crimes and 
recreating the necessary conditions so that the perpetrators of those 
crimes remain in impunity, at the same time stimulating the 
environment in which the criminal activity continues unabated. A 
clear example is the fact that since June 16, 1997, the Colombian 
NGOs await President Samper's answer to their proposal for integral 
protection that they delivered to his ministers. In it, it is requested, 
as a priority, that the intelligence files of the State's security 
organizations be purged by a Commission headed by the Office of the 
United States High Commissioner based in Colombia. For the last year, 
the NGOs which are potential violations victims await a response so 
that effective controls and clear limitations to the out-of-hand 
activities of state security groups against the civil population be 
established and so that paramilitary groups, including the CONVIVIR, 
can be disassembled.

Nothing has been done. The judicial investigations do not come to a 
conclusion, or remain in indefinite preliminary investigations; 
therefore, not a single perpetrator has been jailed, or disciplinarily 
punished, nor have the victims of authority abuse been retributed 
appropriately. 

In contrast, while on April 9, 1998, the United Nations Commission 
for Human Rights expressed that it "remains worried by the 
unacceptable level of impunity, particularly in what pertains to 
abuses by state agents, which continue under the jurisdiction of 
military tribunals" and by the fact that "some members of state 
intelligence organizations construe human rights defenders as allied 
of guerrilla groups," in practice, these defenders continue to be 
murdered by the unpunished perpetrators. 

After several years upholding our preoccupation for the situation in 
Colombia, as part of the international community interested in the 
prompt overcoming of the serious crisis in Human Rights through 
which Colombia suffers, we are convinced that the situation has gone 
too far. It is time that the government's will be measured through 
concrete results that demonstrate the reduction in the number of 
victims, in the quality of the crimes, and in the level of impunity that 
the perpetrators enjoy. 

We know that this will only be possible through the adoption of 
timely political and normative decisions of prevention, sanction, and 
control that preclude new violations, and that bring under control the 
authors of the horrendous crimes already committed.

For all of the above, at the same time that we energetically 
condemned the murder of Dr. Eduardo Umaña Mendoza, we urgently 
call on the Colombian government to:

1. Assemble a Mixed Commission, headed by the United States 
Human Rights High Commissioner Office in Colombia, the Attorney 
General, The Justice Ministry, the Office for the Defense of the People, 
and delegates of the Colombian NGOs, in order to review the activities 
and the "intelligence files on individuals and organizations that 
through their legitimate labor defend human rights, and to propose, 
whenever it deems appropriate, a purge of such archives and the 
suspension of such governmental activity." 

2. Separate from active duty those members of the public forces and 
other governmental organizations involved in grave human rights 
violations. 

3. Dismantle paramilitary groups and revoke the legislation that 
rules the previously so-called CONVIVIR.

4. Guarantee the effective and prompt completion of judicial 
investigations, the public presentation of the elucidation of the 
crimes, and the submission to civil justice of the authors of such 
crimes. 

5. Present and promote a bill about human rights defense, which 
guarantees the obligation on the part of all public and private 
officials to respect it as a legitimate task, establishing legal norms 
and additional punishments for the authors of threats, harrasments 
and attempts against the individuals who work on behalf of human 
rights. This law should model itself after the United Nations' 
Declaration about Human Rights Defenders, recently adopted in the 
54th Human Rights Commission, and after the United Nations' Code of 
Conduct for Public Servants. 

6. Assign the human and economic resources needed for a strategy of 
protection against and prevention of attacks against human rights 
defenders. 

7. Guarantee the victims and their relatives the restoration of the 
right to the truth, to justice, and to reparation, obeying the 
international recommendations of the United Nations and the 
Organization of American States, which have been ignored so far.

8. Organize a Permanent Interinstitutional Following Committee, at 
the highest level, to respond to the proposals presented, conformed 
by the Office of the President, the Attorney General, the Justice 
Ministry, the Office for the Defense of the People, the Foreign 
Minister, The Minister of the Interior, to meet periodically with the 
NGOs. 

Mr. President:

During your administration, the situation of human rights in the 
country has deteriorated visibly, particularly in what pertains the 
persecution of defenders of human rights. It is time to assume the 
responsibilities that correspond to you as the head of the State and of 
the Government, and as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, 
adopting coherent, prompt and efficient measures that facilitate the 
anticipation of a solution to the profound crisis in which your country 
is plunged. Awaiting your reply, 

Sincerely


Argentina

Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo- Madres de Plaza de Mayo- Familiares de 
Detenidos Desaparecidos Mar del Plata- Familiares de Detenidos Entre 
Rios Mónica Torres

Austria

Klimabündis - Movimiento de Mujeres Católicas de Austria- Acción 
Tres Reyes Magos DKD - Iniciativa por Colombia Paz y dd. hh. 

Alemania (Germany)

Misereor - ACAT/ Alemania - Cordinación Alemana por Colombia - 
Comité Colombia Nürtigen -Terres des Hommes/Alemania - Misión 
Central Franciscana- Diakoniches Werk - Diözesarant de Katholiken in 
Bistum Aachen -Katholische Junge Gemeinde Deutsschen Katholischen 
Jugend Diözesandanverband Aachen -FIAN - Action Pro Colombia e 
V. Aachen -Pax Chrsti/Alemania 

Belgica (Belgium)

NCOS -Broederlijk Delen - Oxfam Solidaridad - Oxfam-Wereldwinkels 

Bolivia

Asociación de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos y Mártires por 
la Liberación Nacional ASOFAMD

Brasil

Tortura Nunca Mais Rio de Janeiro TNM-Tortura Nunca Mais Sao 
Paulo TNM 

Canada

Red de Hermandad y Solidaridad de Canada - Asociación de Maestros 
de la Escuela Secundaria de Ontario

Chile

Agrupación Nacional de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos AFDD 
Filiales: Valparaiso, Linares, Chillan, Talca, Concepción, Los Angeles, 
Temuco, Osorno.

El Salvador

Comite de Madres y Familiares de Presos, Desaparecidos y 
Asesinados Políticos de El Salvador, "Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo 
Romero" COMADRES-Comite de Familiares Pro-Libertad de Presos, 
Desaparecidos y Asesinados Políticos de El Salvador "Marianella 
García Villa CODEFAM-Comite de Madres y Familiares Cristianos de 
presos, Desaparecidos y Asesinados "Padre Octavio-Hna. Silvia" 
COMAFAC.-Asociación Pro-Búsqueda de Niños y Niñas Desaparecidos. 
El Salvador

España (Spain)

Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos - Sodepaz / Sodepau. - Asociación 
Jueces para la Democracia - Intermon - Manos Unidas - Sotermun - 
Fundación por los Pueblos Indigenas- Ospaal -Mugarik Gabe Nafarroa 
- Periodistas sin Fronteras - Coordinadora Estatal de Comités de 
Solidaridad Oscar Romero - Paz y Tercer Mundo - Cedsala - 
Comunidades Cristianas Populares -Iglesias de Base Madrid - 
Confederación General de Trabajadores CGT - Unión Sindical Obrera 
USO - Fundación CEAR -Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la 
Paz -Izquierda Unida Federal - Comitè Català de Solidaritat amb 
Colombia- Interpueblos/ Cantabria - Entrepueblos/la Rioja - Aesco - 
Asociación Acción Verapaz - Iscod /UGT - Grupo de Apoyo por el 
Pueblo U'wa -Watu - Comité de Solidaridad con Africa Negra - Grupo 
de Apoyo al MST. 


Francia (Frnace)

ACAT/Francia - CCFD - Justicia y Paz /Francia -Terres des Hommes/ 
Francia 

Guatemala

Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo GAM

Holanda (Holland)

Novib - Amnistía Internacional Seccional Holanda 

Honduras

Comite de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras 
COFADEH 

Italia (Italy)

International Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation COCIS 
- Partito dela Rifonda Ziome Comunista

Irlanda (Ireland)

Trocaire - The Colombian Network

Mexico

Comite Nacional Independiente CNI

Noruega (Norway)

Partido Socialista Noruego - Grupo Noruego de Solidaridad con 
America Latina - Comité Colombia Noruega

Perú

Asociación Nacional de Familiares de Secuestrados y Detenidos, 
Desaparecidos en la Zona declarada en estado de emergencia del 
Perú, sede Ayacucho ANFASEP. Comite de Familiares de Detenidos 
Desaparecidos en las Zonas de Emergencia Refugiados en Lima 
COFADER 

Suecia (Sweden)

Fundación Sueca de Derechos Humanos - Caritas/Suecia 

Suiza (Switzerland)

Amnistía Internacional Seccinal Suiza -Solifonds- Comunidad de 
Misioneras Laicas- Consejo Misionero Católico de Suiza- Pax 
Christi/Suiza - Swissaid - Acción Cuaresmal de los Católicos - 
Caritas/Suiza - Interteam - Grupo de Trabajo Suiza Colombia - HEKS - 
Asociación por la Paz en Colombia- E- Changer - Plate- Forme Haïti de 
Suisse

Uruguay

Madres y Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos de Uruguay 

International Organizations

Canadian Council of Churches - FEDEFAM -FIACAT- Fundación France 
Libertés-Organización Mundial contra la Tortura 

Personalities

Danielle Mitterrand, Rodolfo Matarolo, Philippe Texier, Iñaki 
Anasagasti 

European Parliament Members

Wilfied Telkämper,Wölfgang Kreissl- Dorfler , Hiltrud Breyer - 
Leoluca Orlando 

With a copy to the Colombian Embassies in the countries mentioned. 



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other letters
============
Doctor Ernesto Samper Pizano		
Presidente de la República de Colombia		
Palacio de Nariño 	
Bogotá 	Colombia		
Fax 571-286-7454					
April 23, 1998					

Dear Mr. President,	
	
Last Saturday, April 18 1998, the distinguished Colombian lawyer 
and human rights defender Eduardo Umaña Mendoza was murdered 
in his office in Bogotá. Less than two months earlier, on February 27, 
Jesús María Valle, lawyer and President of the Antioquia Committee 
on Human Rights, was murdered under similar circumstances in his 
Medellín office. 

In just a few days time is the first anniversary of the murder of 
Mario Calderón , Elsa Alvarado, and her father, Carlos Alvarado, in 
their Bogotá home during the early morning hours of May 19, 1997. 
Associated with the Center for Research and Popular Education 
(CINEP), the well-known institute founded by Jesuits in Bogotá , 
Mario and Elsa were carrying out important activities in defense of 
human rights and the environment. In the last eighteen months, 
more than twenty people dedicated to the defense of human rights 
have been assassinated, and others have had to leave the country 
due to threats and imminent danger.	

	This dramatic succession of murders of human rights activists 
aggravates the worrisome situation of violence and impunity that 
Colombia has been undergoing for several years. The international 
community is increasingly concerned 
about this deteriorating situation which should be brought to an end 
in accordance with the full force of the rule of law. This past April 
20, at the meeting of the United Nations' Commission on Human 
Rights in Geneva, a minute of silence was observed as an 
extraordinary gesture to honor the memory of Doctor Umaña , to 
insist on respect for defenders of human rights, and to press for the 
substantial improvement of the Colombian situation.

		Well aware of the great value and enormous potential of 
Colombian society, we grieve over the widespread abuse to which it 
is subjected. Therefore, we feel obligated to join the international 
outcry, calling for an end to murders in Colombia, in particular of 
those who defend human rights. Respect for human rights is 
a basic condition for the democratic development of any country. At 
risk of losing its human rights defenders, Colombian society is 
becoming 
increasingly vulnerable in the face of these violations.

		Therefore, we respectfully, but determinedly, ask the 
Colombian government and its authorities to guarantee the rule of 
law and fulfill its role as protector of the rights to life and justice. It 
is necessary that immediate and effective measures be undertaken 
democratically so that these painful crimes be stopped once and for 
all and that they not go unpunished.	

(spanish version)
Doctor Ernesto Samper Pizano	
Presidente de la República de Colombia	
Palacio de Nariño
Bogotá 	Colombia		
fax 571-286-7454		

23 de abril de 1998		

Estimado Señor Presidente:
		El pasado sábado 18 de abril de 1998 fue asesinado en su 
oficina en Bogotá el abogado Eduardo Umaña Mendoza, destacado 
defensor de derechos humanos en Colombia. Menos de dos meses 
antes, el 27 de febrero, había sido asesinado en similares condiciones 
en su oficina en Medellín el abogado Jesús María Valle, presidente 
del Comité de Derechos Humanos de Antioquia. En pocos días se 
cumple un año del asesinato de Mario Calderón , Elsa Alvarado y su 
padre, Carlos Alvarado, ocurrido 
en la madrugada del 19 de mayo de 1997 en su vivienda en Bogotá. 
Mario y Elsa realizaban importantes actividades en la defensa de los 
derechos humanos y del medio ambiente y  estaban vinculados al 
Centro de Investigación y Educación Popular -CINEP-, reconocido 
instituto fundado por los jesuitas en Bogotá. En los últimos dieciocho 
meses, más de veinte personas dedicadas a la defensa de los 
derechos humanos han sido asesinadas, y muchas otras han tenido 
que abandonar el país por riesgos o amenazas.		Esta 
dramática sucesión de asesinatos de defensores de derechos humanos 
agrava la muy alarmante situación de violencia e impunidad que 
vive Colombia desde hace varios años. Es creciente la preocupación 
de la comunidad internacional por este deterioro, que debería ser 
detenido mediante la plena vigencia del Estado de derecho. La 
Comisión de Derechos Humanos de  Naciones Unidas en Ginebra 
decidió el
último 20 de abril observar un minuto de silencio como un gesto 
extraordinario para honrar la memoria del doctor Umaña , insistir en 
el respeto a los defensores de derechos humanos y urgir el 
mejoramiento sustancial de la situación en Colombia.	
	Conscientes de los inmensos valores y potencialidades de la 
sociedad colombiana, y dolidos por la impotencia y el abuso al que se 
encuentra sometida, sentimos el deber de 
unirnos a este clamor internacional y hacer un llamado a que cesen 
los asesinatos en Colombia, en particular los de defensores de 
derechos humanos. El respeto de los derechos humanos es condición 
básica para el desarrollo democrático de un
país. Expuesta a perder sus defensores de derechos humanos, la 
sociedad colombiana está quedando cada vez más desprotegida 
frente a las violaciones.			Por ello, solicitamos 
respetuosamente pero con profunda convicción al gobierno y a las 
autoridades colombianas garantizar el Estado de derecho, cumpliendo 
su papel protector de los derechos a la vida y a la justicia. Es 
necesario que democráticamente se tomen medidas inmediatas y 
eficaces para que estos dolorosos crímenes terminen de una vez y no 
permanezcan impunes.	

			Nancy Hahn	Sr. Administrative Assistant
	Kellogg Institute	204 Hesburgh Center	Notre Dame, IN 
46556	Tel: 
219-631-7816	Fax:219-631-6717

Dr. ERNESTO SAMPER PIZANO
President of the Republic of Colombia
Santafé de Bogotá