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The daily fears facing a Colombian activist
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Dear Mr. G,
Unfortunately you were right with respect to the issue of doing something for the environment, when the environment that we breathe is of violence. I am sending you the copy of the message that I sent to several Human Rights organizations and NGO's in general so that you will learn about the situation. It would be very helpful if you can help me with the translation of the message into English and other languages and spread it. This site, that I consider a peaceful oasis it is not like that anymore. I cannot write you longer, because I am working on some documentation that I am collecting now.
Sincerely,
Mr. Z
Huila, Colombia, August 17th, 1999
To all the tireless peace workers:
I have lived in this town for nearly seven years. Its principal economic activity is rice cropping; after eight months I presented a accion de tutela asking for the right to enjoy a clean environment against the most important rice processor of the place, MOLINO FLORHUILA. This molino has been burning for 13 years the cascarilla of the rice in the lands near the molino, which are 150 Mts. from the city perimeter. Obviously the smoke contaminated the air that we breathed in the town. The resolution of the accion de tutela was in our favor. But then I began to face a series of pressure of different type: telephone calls to my wife telling her that if we did not leave the town I would be killed; workers marching in support of the molino which is one of the most important source of employment for the town, and also a call from the molino's manager telling that he would not be responsible for what may happen to me, my family, or my house.
Immediately I reported my case to the Personeria Municipal, and the personero gave me his support and began an investigation by the DAS (Administrative Department of Security), which did not work out. The accion de tutela gave me a name as an example of civil courage and I was offered the opportunity to work for the community in an organized way of opposition. Initially I was elected president of the Communal Action 'Junta' of the neighborhood where I live. Then I was elected president of the Green Cabildo of Campoalegre where I have maintained a critical position towards the politicized management that is given to environmental topics by the CAR's (Autonomous Regional Corporations) and in particular by the CAM.
I have talked against the storage of hazardous substances in places too close to family houses. I presented another accion de tutela asking for the right to live in peace and quietness against the use of loud music in public places. I won this accion de tutela too. Right now we are developing a plan to avoid the deforestation of 200 Ha of cacao forest in a vereda 1 mile away from town.
I have worked not only for protecting the environment. Two years ago a group of friends and I, from the Agrarian Association, and educators, environmental leaders, promoters of social housing, journalists, representatives of public services committees, professionals, community mothers, and a considerable portion of the community in the town created a group called Civic Movement for Campoalegre. Five months ago I was named president. The housing association with the largest number of associates was born here. We promoted the peaceful take of a 21 Ha land that would give housing to 670 families. The land was bought for that purpose only but it is only 50 Mts. away from the molino, which is one of the reasons we think that for some time we were not granted a license to begin the housing plan. During this administration it was evident that the intention was to sell the land to the molino, so as to cut the dream of owning a home to such a large number of families. But thanks to our courageous efforts we made an agreement with the municipal government and the Concejo to begin the project. We have finished already the urban design and obtained the environment license, accepting several conditions due to the presence of the molino even though I think that it should be the molino who should change its operation so as to satisfy all the environmental norms, so that the constitutional precept, that the common interest has to prevail over the particular, would be satisfied.
I began working in the health sector helping in the development of the governmental plan in this administration. I was elected president of the Association of Users of the State's Social Empresa (ESE). I have talked against the discrimination in the management of the health services. My wife, who is an independent health professional, has been affected by the ESE's manager because he has announced that the hospital will deny services to those patients whose EPS make contracts with independent health professionals and not exclusively with the Hospital. Five months ago Orlando Palencia was killed; he was member of the Housing Association. We received information by third parties that the killings would continue. In a session of the Consejo Municipal of Rural Development, I criticized the personera because of her position towards the rights of the campesinos who were dispersed by the police when they were marching. She accused me of being a member of obscure movements, with obscure interests that look for impeaching (?) the people (her words), all this without any kind of proof. Past Sunday, August 15th, José Drigelio Céspedes, another member of the Civic Movement and of the Housing Association, was killed. After that I received direct threats informing me that I would be the next one on the list.
The worst of it is that I have been prosecuted by strange elements and there are clues that indicate that people connected to the intelligence corps of the state have done the assassinations. I note here that I received a visit in my house from a member of the SIJIN, with the supposed purpose of inquiring about a car wreck that occurred some days before. I am calling to your solidarity, because in these moments it is impossible to continue my work in favor of this community without putting my life in danger. I will send copies of this communication to NGO's working in favor of human rights and to people that can offer some voice of support to my labor. I ask from you that you send this message to as many people as possible, because in some ways I feel some sort of tranquillity in knowing that not only I know that I have been threatened. I am also seriously considering the alternative of asking political refuge because I do not want to leave two orphan-girls and a widow.
I am afraid because of the raise of violence against those that speak out loud about what they think is wrong, because silence, when truth must be told, does not build peace. It is not superfluous to let you know that I am able to send you information that can prove that what I am saying in this letter is true and ask again for help for giving me names of people who can help me in these matters. In spite of the economic crisis that is over our country, mine is not an economic crisis. We have been able to get a house, a small car, a clinical laboratory, where my wife works (she is bacteriologist and clinic laboratory technician) and a small farm. I am going to sell all these properties to avoid the risk of losing my life. I also work as civil works administrator taking some time from the community work.
Thank you for your attention.
Mr. Z
Mr. G
Thank you for the comforting words. You are right, they can destroy us physically but they can not destroy our soul. I have faith in God and that is what keeps me going. Forgive me for telling you this worrisome situation, but I am in a critical moment and sharing my preoccupation relieves me.
I am also worried about my family and that is why I am thinking of leaving the country, because in the minds of the State organisms I am a member of the ELN, can you believe that? If I were, I would have asked them for protection a long time ago. The paramilitary forces (understand Estate) are attacking the civil population and they try all those who they think are guerrilla supporters and condemn them to death. It seems that I am already condemned and that the only thing that is missing is the execution.
I have always thought that, no matter the consequences, I had to develop some labor in favor of the community and that in spite of the results, I had to do everything to keep it going, because this process of planting peace seeds will last many years and somebody has to help to begin and maintain it. But now my common sense, not the fear, has defeated me. I think that I am wasting myself here; I am exposing myself too much, when I can collaborate from other places with fewer risks.
I thank you again for your attention. God bless you.
Mr. Z