The Guardian 27 August, 2008
Colombia:
Dangerous nation for labour unions
Lynn Hulm
"We do not want marches crying for the dead, nor May 1 protests": from a paramilitary death threat sent to trade unionists in the department of Santander on April 22, 2008.
In 2003 Colombia was named the most dangerous nation for labour unions by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). In 2008, the Colombian government continues to breach its own constitution and violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which, in Article 23, guarantees everyone the right "to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his/her interests".
The latest victim of this oppressive regime is trade unionist and human rights activist Liliany Obando. Liliany, arrested in front of her young children and distraught elderly mother, on Friday August 8 on alleged charges of "rebellion" using fabricated evidence obtained during the illegal incursion into Ecuador by Colombian forces on March 1, 2008.
After capture Liliany was detained in a "Prosecutor Bunker" even though a case and evidence related to her detention has not been fully established. Last week she was moved to a women’s jail after a judge ruled "security measures" should be taken against her. Consideration has not been given to her status as the sole carer for her young children despite the legal team requesting home detention so that the rights of her children are not violated.
Liliany toured Australia in 2007 raising awareness for the deterioration of the human and trade union rights in her homeland. Colombian workers and workers’ organisations struggle to regain conditions after retrograde labour law "reforms" stripped workers of conditions previously built up over many years of struggle. City and rural workers are denied access to pensions and collective agreements and forced onto individual contracts. In Colombia fighting for basic conditions for workers such as a liveable wage and healthcare can be at the risk of your life or your freedom.
Liliany spoke at the Latin America and Asia Pacific International Solidarity Forum held in Melbourne where she advocated for Fensuagro, a Federation that brings together peasant and rural workers’ organisations. At that time 300 of their members had been lost through assassination in the previous 10 years and 45 others were in prison.
A statement issued by the National Unitarian Agricultural Trade Union Federation FENSUAGRO — CUT, denounced the acts of intimidation and terrorism by the Colombian Government and the paramilitaries. They condemn the arbitrary incarceration of Liliany Obando who they identified as a recognised sociologist of the National University and a defender of human rights, who lent her services to the Federation as Coordinator of Human Rights Projects and participated in various international gatherings with the backing of the federation.
Concerned citizens around the world have joined in support of Liliany, denouncing the Uribe state’s coercive strategy of targeting citizens critical of the administration, anti-labour practices and neoliberal policies, and the continuation of a civil war at the social expense of Colombian citizens.
Join the International campaign calling for the immediate release of Liliany Obando and for the cessation of the harassment against Fensuargro and other activists.
Sign the online petition and find out more ways to support the campaign at:
www.colombiasolidarity.net or write to pjfcolombia@gmail.com.