Renewed threats against human rights organisations and trade unions in Barrancabermeja and Magdalena Medio

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of renewed threats against the Espacio de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de Derechos Humanos – ETTDH (Space of Human Rights Workers), a platform of human rights organisations based in the city of Barrancabermeja and the region of Magdalena Medio, which includes the Organización Feminina Popular – OFP (Women’s Popular Organisation), the Corporación Regional para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos – CREDHOS (Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights), the Programas de Desarrollo y Paz – PDP (Programmes for Peace and Development), the Unión Sindical Obrera – USO (Workers’ Labour Union), the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de Empresas Operadoras, Contratistas, Subcontratistas de Servicios y Actividades de la Industria del Petróleo, Petroquímica y Similares – SINDISPETROL (National Trade Union of Workers of Petroleum, Petrochemical and Related Contractors, Services Subcontractors and Activities), and the trade union of the company Colombian Fertilisers – FERTICOL. Front Line previously expressed its concern regarding threats made against these organisations in an urgent action of 25 June 2008.

Further Information

Posted 28/07/2008 On 21 July 2008, hooded men on motorcycles rode through various neighbourhoods in Barrancabermeja distributing pamphlets which reportedly cited these organisations, along with the paramilitary group ’Águilas Negras’, as “actors which generate violence in the region and engage in criminal activities for personal benefit” and declared them a military objective. The pamphlet, signed by ’Don Mario’, Commander of a group calling itself Heroes of Castaño, further stated that the group was engaged in an operation to take back the area from such actors by force and ’pacify’ the city. It also stated that the group hoped that the community of Barrancabermeja would cooperate so as not to oblige it to engage in reprisals.

Front Line believes that the threats made against the members of the aforementioned human rights organisations and trade unions are directly related to their work in defence of human rights in the region. In view of reports of these latest threats and of increasing levels of violence in the city of Barrancabermeja, Front Line reiterates its serious concern for the physical and psychological integrity of all members of these organisations in the region.