Women's Voices
Popular Women's Organization
Barrancabermeja - Magdalena Medio - Bogotá
January 22, 2003
In Barrancabermeja impunity grows
In the last few days multiple violent deaths have occurred, three of which were of women. Contrary to what civilian, military and police authorities have assured to the nation and the international community in regards to peace in Barrancabermeja, this year begins with serious actions against the civilian population by paramilitary groups.
Impunity is maintained in the murders and violations in spite of the fact that in Barrancabermeja everyone knows what is going on, even the names of those responsible for the crimes. Meanwhile, people comment on the events in low voices while the authorities act as if they were deaf.
In the face of this grave situation, Women's Voices of the Popular Feminine Organization denounce the increase, in recent days, of selective assassinations as a method of paramilitary positioning and paramilitary social, political and military control, now including the practice of announcing victims with signs.
We reject this criminal and violent wave that is washing over our city, and in particular, the violence exercised against women, victims for simply being the mothers, wives, daughters or lovers of a participant in the war, or for assuming a commitment to the defense of Human Rights, or for being a social leader.
Recent acts against women
Maria Del Carmen Cristancho Sanchez, 40 years of age, businesswoman, was found dead on the night of January 21 2003, in the Pozo Siete neighborhood with a sign that said "For being a spy and collaborator of the FARC Front 24."
Diocelina Sanchez Restrepo, 42 years of age, vendedora de Chance, was taken in a taxi from her home in the Barranca neighborhood and found dead in the Las Granjas neighborhood. According to the testimonies from the community she was killed for being the sister of two presumed guerillas.
Gloria Munoz Lopez, 46 years of age, murdered January 20 around 11 at night as she was arriving at her house in the Buena Vista neighborhood. According to information from the community she was shot by a wayward bullet from the weapon of a paramilitary named Mario, who was playing with his gun in a park in front of the house of the victim.
The Popular Feminine Organization will keep denouncing the presence of paramilitaries in Barrancabermeja and demanding that the civilian, military and police authorities guarantee the life of civilians and that they carry out their obligation to investigate, find the guilty parties and do justice. In addition we demand that they demonstrate with concrete actions their widely touted atmosphere of security and peace in Barrancabermeja.