U R G E N T A C T I O N A P P E A L

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UA 160/98 Fear for Safety 21 May 1998
COLOMBIA
Luis Eduardo GARZON, president of the Trade Union Confederation Jorge 
ORTEGA GARCIA, vice-president of the Trade Union Confederation
Jesus Antonio GONZALEZ LUNA, director of the human rights department of 
the Trade Union Confederation Domingo Rafael, director of the 
organizational department of the Trade Union Confederation

Oscar Arturo OROZCO	]
Hernan de Jesus ORTIZ	]
Wilson GARCIA QUICENO] regional trade union leaders
Henry OCAMPO	]
Sergio DIAZ	]
Fernando CARDONA	]

Maria Clara VAQUERO SARMIENTO, President of the Trade Union Association 
of Civil Servants of the Ministry of Defence 

Concern for the safety of a number of trade union leaders is heightened in 
the wake of a series of recent murders and attacks of trade unionists and 
after receiving information that many of their names (see above), appear on 
so-called 'listas negras', 'black lists'. 

'Black lists' are often circulated to those included on the list in order to
intimidate them into abandoning their legitimate activities or to force 
them to flee. Many of those whose names have been listed in the past, some 
of which have been published in the national press, have subsequently been 
targeted for serious human rights violations by paramilitary organizations 
operating with the support of the armed forces.

An Urgent Action recently issued (UA 150/98 issued 13 May 1998) 
highlighted the case of members of SINTRAMUNICIPIO-CARTAGO, Union of 
Municipal Workers of the municipality of Cartago, department of Valle del 
Cauca, and other workers involved in industrial disputes for improved 
working conditions and wages, who had received death threats. Their names 
also appear on 'black lists' circulating in the region.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The announcement by the Confederacion Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), 
Trade Union Confederation, of the existence of 'black lists' comes in the 
wake of a series of killings of trade unionists in recent weeks:

On 18 April 1998 Jorge Boada Palencia, leader of the Asociacion del 
Instituto Nacional Penitenciario, (ASOINPEC), Association of the National 
Penitentiary, was reportedly killed by members of a paramilitary group in 
the capital Bogota. 

Also on 18 April, Dr Eduardo Umana Mendoza, a prominent human rights 
lawyer leading the defence for a number of members of the oil worker's 
union, USO, was killed by unidentified gunmen (see UA 122/98, 20 April 
1998).

On 9 May Jorge Duarte Chavez, a member of USO, was killed by presumed 
paramilitary members in Barrancabermeja, department of Santander.

On 10 May USO member Carlos Rodriguez Marquez was killed by paramilitary 
gunmen in the city of Barranquilla, department of Atlantico.

On 11 May president of the Tibu branch of USO, Norte de Santander 
department, and his wife were reportedly shot by members of a 
paramilitary group and seriously wounded. 

Human rights workers, members of legal opposition groups, popular 
activists and trade unionists have frequently been accused of being 
guerrilla sympathizers or collaborators by the security and armed forces, 
accusations which have frequently been followed by serious human rights 
violations often perpetrated by the security forces' paramilitary allies. 
Human rights lawyers who have defended trade unionists charged with being 
guerrillas have themselves also been threatened or become victim to 
serious human rights violations. 

Guerrilla organizations are likewise responsible for committing serious 
human rights abuses, including deliberate and arbitrary killings of civilians 
and the holding of hostages.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters: - expressing concern for 
the safety of the trade unionists named on the 'black lists';
- urging that all measures, deemed appropriate by those under threat, be 
undertaken to guarantee their security; - urging that full and impartial 
investigations are undertaken into the 'black lists', that the results be made 
public and that those responsible 
be brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:
President of Colombia:
Senor Presidente Ernesto Samper Pizano
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
carrera 8 No. 7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear President Samper:

Telegrams: President Samper Pizano, Bogota, Colombia Telexes: 396 44281 
PALP CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 284 2186 / 289 3377 / 286 7434 


Attorney General:
Dr. Alfonso Gomez Mendez
Fiscal General de la Nacion
Fiscalia General de la Nacion
Diagonal 22B 5201, Apartado Aereo 29855
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Dr.:

Telegrams: Fiscal General, Fiscalia General, Bogota, Colombia Faxes: 011 
571 570 2000 (when answer phone picks up dial 2017 for fax)


Minister of Defense:
Dr. Gilberto Echeverri Mejia
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Ministerio de Defensa Nacional
Avenida Eldorado CAN - Carrera 52
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Minister:

Telegrams: Ministro Defensa, Bogota, Colombia Telexes: 396 42411 INPRE 
CO; 396 44561 CFAC CO Faxes:011 57 1 222 1874


COPIES TO:
Trade Union Confederation:
CUT
AA 221
Bogota, Colombia


Ambassador Juan Carlos Esguerra
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Pl. NW
Washington DC 20008

Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office between 
9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals 
after July 2, 1998.