Please read the monthly Urgent Action Network Newsletter posted on 
the web at: http://www.amnesty-USA.org/urgact/newslett.html 

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: sharriso@aiusa.org
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/urgact/ 
Phone: 303 440 0913
Fax:303 258 7881
---------------------------------------------------
1 July 1998
Further information on UA 176/98 issued 12 June 1998
Fear for safety / Possible extrajudicial executions

COLOMBIA
Civilian inhabitants of the municipalities of Simiti, Bolivar department, 
and neighbouring areas Santa Rosa del Sur and San Pablo

Ermes Villamizar (killed)
Olga Palencia (killed - please note correction of name)

Another massacre of civilians caught in the middle of Colombia's 
internal strife is feared to be imminent following another paramilitary 
incursion into the Cerro de Burgos community, municipality of Simiti, 
department of Bolivar on 29 June 1998. 

The municipal capital of Simiti is now completely surrounded by 
paramilitary forces, who also control transit along the river Magdalena 
and roads leading to the nearby municipalities of Santa Rosa del Sur, 
San Pablo and to several communities in the Simiti municipality.

On 29 June the paramilitary group reportedly arrived in six boats and 
entered the community of Cerro de Burgos, which was abandoned 
after the 11 June paramilitary attack (see original UA) during which 
two people died.

Following the incursion, non-governmental human rights organizations 
quickly denounced it to the headquarters of the V Brigada, 5 Brigade 
of the Colombian Army in Bucaramanga, department of Santander, 
which operates in the region, calling on the army to protect the civilian 
population. 

They also contacted the State and governmental authorities, as well 
as the commander of Simiti municipality's police station, who 
reportedly stated that he had already been in contact with the Base 
Militar Santa Rosa del Sur, Santa Rosa del Sur Military Base, the 
Colombian Navy and the regional police command.

According to inhabitants of the municipality of Simiti, at least ten 
vehicles were seen transporting paramilitary members to several 
communities in the municipality on the evening of 29 June.

On the morning of 30 June non-governmental human rights 
organizations again contacted the 5 Brigade. A commanding officer 
reportedly told them that the paramilitary incursion was a peaceful 
operation which sought to inform displaced members of the 
community of Cerro de Burgos that they could return to their homes in 
safety and that the paramilitary operation was only targeted at 
guerrilla collaborators. The commander, a colonel, reportedly 
committed himself to protecting the civilian population. At a 23 June 
meeting attended by representatives of human rights organizations 
and of the municipality of Simiti, the same colonel reportedly stated 
that the population of Simiti was collaborating with guerrilla forces. In 
the past those accused of being guerrilla collaborators by the armed 
forces or their paramilitary allies have subsequently become victims of 
serious human rights violations.

Concern for the safety of the inhabitants of the municipality of Simiti 
is heightened by the fact that a military base situated in the municipality 
of Simiti, attached to the Batallon Galan, Galan Battalion, was 
withdrawn on 25 June, in spite of denunciations by the local 
inhabitants of paramilitary incursions in the area. The withdrawal of 
security forces is often a prelude to paramilitary attacks. Troops 
stationed at this military base reportedly failed to respond to the 
paramilitary attack against Cerro de Burgos on 11 June (see original 
UA for details). Inhabitants of the neighbouring municipality of San 
Pablo are also feared to be in danger following the killing a health 
worker -- reportedly by paramilitary force members -- on 23 June, in 
the hamlet of Carmen del Cucu, of Eustaquio Ardila. 

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send 
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters:
- expressing concern for the safety of the civilian population in Simiti, 

San Pablo and Santa Rosa del Sur municipalities in Bolivar 
department;
- urging that a full and impartial investigations be conducted into the 
reported killings of Ermes Villamizar and Olga Palencia in Simiti 
municipality on 11 June 1998 and the killing of Eustaquio Ardila on 23 
June, reportedly by paramilitary forces, that the results be made 
public and that those responsible be brought to justice;
- calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the 
security forces and paramilitary groups operating in the area and 
urging that those found responsible for supporting and participating in 
such groups be brought to justice;
- urging that the authorities take immediate action to dismantle 
paramilitary groups, in line with stated government commitments. 

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


Minister of the Interior:
Dr. Alfonso Lopez Caballero
Ministro del Interior
Ministerio del Interior
Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Minister:

Telegrams: Ministro del Interior, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes: 396 45406 MINGO CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 281 5884 / 286 6524 / 286 0405


Minister of Defence:
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 de Defensa, Bogota, Colombia
Telexes:  396 42411 INPRE CO / 396 44561 CFAC CO
Faxes: 011 57 1 222 1874 / 228 1874


COPIES TO: 
Alternative Legal Association
MINGA
AA 40303
Santafe de 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 August 12, 1998.