Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

23 August 2011

Protection measures afforded to human rights defender Mr Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero by the Committee for the Regulation and Evaluation of Risks, fall significantly short of requirements outlined under the Colombian Government’s Protection Programme. Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero is the Director General of the human rights section of the Fundación Misionera Corazones de Jesús, María y José - FMCJMJ (Missionary Foundation of the Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph). FMCJMJ works for the promotion and protection of human rights, with a particular focus on the poor and more vulnerable members of society. Since 2008, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero, along with his wife and children, have been subjected to death threats, and ongoing acts of intimidation, harassment and surveillance perpetrated by various armed criminal groups.

Further Information

In July 2011, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero was provided with one bullet-proof vest and a phone for making emergency calls following a risk assessment carried out by the Committee for the Regulation and Evaluation of Risks on 13 June 2011. The aforementioned Committee, under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior and Justice, stated that Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero’s risk level was ’extraordinary’. It is believed that such protection measures fall significantly short of the requirements set forth under the terms of the Government Protection Programme. Under the Government Protection Programme, persons whose risk level is deemed extraordinary are entitled to a personal bodyguard, armoured car, 24-hour police protection, and two bullet-proof vests.

Since March 2011, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero and his family have been forced into hiding following repeated death threats against them from armed criminal gangs including the Banda Criminal los Pasias (Criminal Group of Pasias), and the Ejército Revolucionario Popular Antisubversivo de Colombia (Popular Revolutionary Antisubversion Army of Colombia). The aforementioned armed groups have allegedly offered a reward for the killing of Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero and his family, and have advised him that they have the support of the police force and Colombian army.

Although in hiding, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero continues to receive numerous death threats by telephone in which the callers state that they are aware of his whereabouts and will soon take him away and kill both him and his family. His telephone calls and email account have been monitored and he has been followed on a number of occasions by vehicles with tinted windows. As a result, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero never appears in public with his family, he cannot travel on public transport, and is forced to change his appearance regularly in order to disguise his identity. Because he is in hiding, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero has been unable to continue with his legitimate human rights work.

On 1 March 2011, Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero, along with his wife and children, were forced to flee Vichada because of repeated death threats issued against them by the aforementioned armed groups. Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero had been actively involved in promoting community projects with community leaders in Vichada, as well as denouncing human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by both the national Government, and armed groups.

Since 2008, there have been several death threats issued against Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero. On 10 December 2008, the Banda Criminal los Paisas shot at Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero in the Department of Magdalena. Throughout 2009 and 2010 he continued to receive death threats and was forced to relocate on a number of occasions. The aforementioned incidents have been reported to the local police, however, to date no one has been brought to account for perpetrating such acts.

Front Line is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity and security of Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero and his family, particularly considering the previous attempt on his life, as well as reports that armed groups have offered a financial reward for the his killing.

Front Line believes that the death threats against Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero are directly linked to his denouncement of human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by armed criminal groups, as well as by members of the police force and the Colombian army who have alleged links with armed criminal groups. Front Line further believes that the protection measures afforded to Jose Alexander Fandiño Romero are insufficient considering that his risk level has been classified ’extraordinary’.