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	<title>Peace and Justice for Colombia &#187; Political prisoners</title>
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	<description>a campaign for Justice, Life and freedom</description>
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		<title>NTEU letter to government about political prisoners</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2011/01/nteu-letter-to-government-about-political-prisoners/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2011/01/nteu-letter-to-government-about-political-prisoners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:29:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International solidarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
National Tertiary Education Union- NSW

17th December 2010
The Hon Stephen Smith
Minister for Defence
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Minister,
As you will be aware, the Colombian regime is currently holding hundreds of political prisoners.  Those deprived of their liberty include human rights defenders, trade unionists, student and community leaders and academics.
I trust that you will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<p id="internal-source-marker_0.7187178190797567" style="text-align: center;">National Tertiary Education Union- NSW</p>
<div>
<p id="internal-source-marker_0.7187178190797567">17th December 2010</p>
<p>The Hon Stephen Smith</p>
<p>Minister for Defence</p>
<p>PO Box 6022<br />
House of Representatives<br />
Parliament House<br />
Canberra ACT 2600</p>
<p>Dear Minister,</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As you will be aware, the Colombian regime is currently holding hundreds of political prisoners.  Those deprived of their liberty include human rights defenders, trade unionists, student and community leaders and academics.<br />
I trust that you will agree that this practice of jailing innocent people because of their opposition to Government policies is completely unacceptable. Therefore, we hope the Australian Government will speak out forcefully about this situation and demand that the Colombian Government free those that continue to be jailed for expressing their political opinions.<br />
British academics and parliamentarians have recently called for the release of the following Colombian political prisoners: trade unionists, Rosalba Gaviria and Liliany Obando; human rights defenders, David Ravelo Crespo, Jose Samuel Rojas and Carmelo Agamez and university professor, Dr Miguel Angel Beltran.  In Australia, we also believe that these political prisoners must be released as they have been in jail for well over a year without having been convicted of any crime whatsoever.<br />
The Colombian regime cannot expect to have normal relations with democratic countries such as Australia as long as they continue to imprison their critics.  We look forward to hearing from you with regard to any progress that you have made in encouraging the Colombian authorities to free their political prisoners.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Yours faithfully,</p>
<div>
<p id="internal-source-marker_0.7187178190797567"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/q5FVM-dZes4qM6Jfs2vHAsELe1ZXBVCZ4qmp6CPryn930iusBWzpeI1a-8wxHo5LSXD7jNzq4tbl5CFjdw2xDVFOEqFVwjb_346gKK7D-MEV0biUoQ" alt="" width="134px;" height="80px;" /></p>
<p>Genevieve Kelly<br />
State Secretary</p></div>
</div>
</div>
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		<item>
		<title>Detention of solidarity activist Manuel Olate Cespedes</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/11/detention-of-solidarity-activist-manuel-olate-cespedes/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/11/detention-of-solidarity-activist-manuel-olate-cespedes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:22:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Criminalisation of International Solidarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Manuel Olate Cespedes a Chilean activist was recently arrested in Santiago for his suspected links to the Colombian Revolutionary Forces (FARC).  Chile’s Supreme Court is expected to make an extradition decision with in three months, a decision which is aided by a bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries. Santos’ request to extradite Olate comes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Manuel Olate Cespedes a Chilean activist was recently arrested in Santiago for his suspected links to the Colombian Revolutionary Forces (FARC).  Chile’s Supreme Court is expected to make an extradition decision with in three months, a decision which is aided by a bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries. Santos’ request to extradite Olate comes weeks before Chilean president Piñera is set to make a state visit to Bogota on Nov. 24.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Olate has been an active member of Chile&#8217;s oppostion scene since the latter years of the miliatry dictatorship in the late 1980s. In the 1990s, he reportedly co-founded the Coordinadora Continental Bolivariana (CCB).</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Olate&#8217;s defense lawyer Rodrigo Roman termed the case a “political stunt” and he says Olate is “dismayed” by the situation.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">The following are statements made by the Bolivarian Continental Movement.</div>
<p>Manuel Olate Cespedes a Chilean activist was recently arrested in Santiago for his suspected links to the Colombian Revolutionary Forces (FARC).  Chile’s Supreme Court is expected to make an extradition decision with in three months, a decision which is aided by a bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries. Santos’ request to extradite Olate comes weeks before Chilean president Piñera is set to make a state visit to Bogota on 24 Nov.</p>
<p>Olate has been an active member of Chile&#8217;s oppostion scene since the latter years of the miliatry dictatorship in the late 1980s. In the 1990s, he reportedly co-founded the Coordinadora Continental Bolivariana (CCB).</p>
<p>Olate&#8217;s defense lawyer Rodrigo Roman termed the case a “political stunt” and he says Olate is “dismayed” by the situation.</p>
<p><em>The following is an statements made by the Bolivarian Continental Movement.</em></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Comunicado del Movimiento Continental Bolivariano, enviar adhesiones a </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="mailto:libertadmanuelolate@hotmail.com" target="_blank">libertadmanuelolate@hotmail.com</a></span></p>
<div>
<div>¡LIBERTAD PARA MANUEL OLATE AHORA! NO a la criminalización de la solidaridad, NO a la extradición</div>
<div>Exigimos la inmediata liberación del chileno Manuel Olate Céspedes, miembro del Movimiento Continental Bolivariano y representante del Movimiento de solidaridad por la paz en Colombia, el cual a fue arrestado en su domicilio en Santiago el día 29 de Octubre, por su supuesta vinculación con la guerrilla colombiana FARC-EP, tras la orden de la Ministra de la Corte Suprema Margarita Herreros, quien acogió una solitud de detención enviada por la justicia Colombiana.</p>
<p>Rechazamos la creciente intensificación de la represión del Estado colombiano, quien pretende aumentar internacionalmente la persecución de todos aquellos que se levanten contra posición guerrista del gobierno, en una férrea determinación de exterminio físico y político de todos aquellos que defiendan la idea de una salida política al conflicto valiéndose para ello de la criminalización, la condena mediática y el montaje judicial.</p>
<p>Manuel Olate es una prueba más de esta determinación, siendo condenado a priori por su inquebrantable compromiso solidario hacia Colombia, compromiso que representado para él la obligación con un pueblo hermano que ha sido una mil veces pisoteado y cuyo nivel de represión y de manipulación mediática hace urgente el concurso de voces internacionales que hagan eco de la voz de los oprimidos. Defensor incansable de una salida política al Conflicto Colombiano asumió la tarea de aunar voces para la paz en Colombia en su país, en donde fue injustamente detenido.</p>
<p>Hacemos un llamado a las organizaciones políticas, sociales y culturales, a los dirigentes, intelectuales, a los hombres y mujeres comprometidos con la causa de la Paz y la justicia , nacionales e internacionales, a movilizarse por la liberación de Manuel Olate, rechazando desde ya la idea de su posible extradición , ya que como se ha señalado en reiteradas ocasiones en Colombia no existen las condiciones mínimas para un proceso justo que garantice el respeto a sus derechos fundamentales , como dan cuenta los más de 7.500 presos políticos de ese país. Hacemos un llamado así mismo a adherir a esta campaña sumándose a las organizaciones y personas firmantes en este llamado.<br />
Adhesión: <a href="mailto:libertadmanuelolate@hotmail.com" target="_blank">libertadmanuelolate@hotmail.com</a></p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">MANUEL OLATE DEBE SER LIBERADO</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong> La guerra sucia contra la paz en Colombia</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Hace tres días fue detenido en Chile el diseñador gráfico, Manuel Olate Céspedes, miembro del Movimiento Continental Bolivariano y representante del Movimiento de solidaridad por la paz en Colombia, por su supuesta vinculación con la guerrilla colombiana FARC-EP, tras la orden de la Ministra de la Corte Suprema Margarita Herreros, quien acogió una solitud de arresto enviada por la justicia Colombiana.<br />
Ante ello, creemos necesario reflexionar acerca de algunos puntos que rodean la detención de Manuel.<br />
La idea de una salida política y negociada al conflicto armado en Colombia no es un tema nuevo, pero es evidente que este se ha visto re oxigenado en estos últimos años por iniciativa de algunos gobiernos progresistas de Latinoamérica y la determinación de diversas organizaciones sociales y de derechos humanos. En estos últimos meses, esta necesidad urgente ha sido fuertemente instalada gracias a la iniciativa de Latinoamericanos y Europeos y europeas por la paz en Colombia, idea que encuentra sus caras más publicas en la senadora Piedad Córdova y en el premio nobel de la paz argentino Eduardo Pérez Ezquivel, entre otros, quienes durante el presente año realizaron una gira por varios países de Latinoamérica y Europa, aunando voluntades para encontrar una salida política a la Guerra más antigua del continente.<br />
Pese a que la idea de la Paz como valor universal es evidente, esta no es conveniente para algunos y esto es particularmente cierto si volcamos nuestros ojos hacia los intereses norteamericanos, para quienes desde hace mucho tiempo, la guerra en Colombia se ha vuelto una fuente de millonarias ganancias para su desarrollada industria armamentista y para el negocio de la droga, que constituyen el primer y segundo ingreso más alto en los Estados Unidos. Esto explica porque el Plan Colombia lejos de terminar con el narcotráfico en este país, como planteara su objetivo principal, ha hecho crecer este negocio ilícito en más de un 27%, esto según un reciente informe de Naciones Unidas.<br />
Es por ello que no es casualidad, esta nueva arremetida hacia los gestores para la paz en Colombia , la cual excediendo los límites de la patria neogradina, ha iniciado una verdadera cacería de brujas contra los que se resisten a la tesis de que “Más plomo resolverá lo que el plomo no ha logrado resolver en más de 50 años”.<br />
La nueva ofensiva se inicia con la destitución e inhabilitación por 18 años de la Senadora Piedad Córdova, una de las principales impulsoras de los acuerdos para la Paz, el pasado 27 de Septiembre, por haberse extralimitado, según la procuraduría, en sus funciones como mediadora con las FARC-EP ¿O acaso por extralimitarse en la defensa de la paz?<br />
A esto se suma el asesinato de de más de 20 activistas de derechos humanos en Colombia, en los apenas 75 primeros días de gobierno de Santos y la salida del país en el mes de Agosto del ex prisionero de guerra de las FARC, Pablo Mocayo, quien debió abandonar Colombia tras las constantes amenazas de muerte que lo sindicaba como colaborador de la FARC y reiterados seguimientos. Al parecer su posición antiguerrerista y en pro de un dialogo para paz no cayó bien en ciertos círculos.<br />
Manuel Olate es una nueva prueba de tal intención de exterminio político. Su compromiso solidario hacia Colombia ha sido para él la inquebrantable obligación con un pueblo hermano que ha sido una mil veces pisoteado y cuyo nivel de represión y de manipulación mediática hace urgente el concurso de voces internacionales que hagan eco de la voz de los oprimidos. Defensor incansable de una salida política al Conflicto Colombiano asumió la tarea de aunar voces para la paz en Colombia en su país, en donde fue injustamente detenido.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">En cuanto al requerimiento contra Manuel Olate es necesario dejar claro que este responde a ciertos métodos y prácticas reiterativas del Gobierno colombiano que, obedeciendo al mandato de Washington, actúa como el niño aplicado del hemisferio tratando de “encontrar donde no hay” para ganarse un punto en su lucha contra el “terrorismo” y justificar así los millones invertidos en Colombia por el amo del norte. En este sentido creemos visualizar desde ya una sucesión de pasos, que como en una obra teatral muchas veces repetida, se siguen unos a otros para configurar un delito que no existe.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong> Primer Acto: Condena mediática, antesala obligada de la investigación criminalística</strong><br />
En el año 2008 Manuel Olate visitaría el campamento del extinto comandante de las FARC-EP Raúl Reyes, con motivo de la realización de una entrevista, la cual fue publicada posteriormente en el Semanario “El Siglo”. Dicha entrevista fue realizada solo días antes del bombardeo en territorio ecuatoriano del campamento de Reyes, en donde el ejército colombiano encontrarías pruebas fotográficas que darían cuenta de la presencia reciente de Olate en el lugar, presencia que de hecho sería posteriormente divulgada, dada la inminente publicación de la entrevista al comandante de las FARC, en un medio de comunicación chileno de cobertura nacional<br />
A partir de esto y desde los sucesos de Sucumbíos, Olate fue sistemática y reiteradamente condenado por la prensa nacional sin que existiera, hasta ese momento, ningún proceso en Chile en su contra. De la misma forma , sin que aun las autoridades colombianas presenten las pruebas que den sustancia a la acusación que han formulado, las conocidas transnacionales de la “desinformación” replican al unisonó a través de sus medios locales e internacionales su condena anticipada “Piden investigación de chilenos que viajaron a entrenarse”( Diario La nación,1 Nov. 2010) “Enlace de las Farc entrenaba milicianos en Chile” (Caracol Radio, Minuto30, 1 Nov. 2010), “Colombia pedirá extradición de chileno ligado a las Farc ”(Heraldo de Miami, 31 Oct. 2010), “Roque, el promotor de las FARC en Chile” refiriéndose al chileno detenido (Diario el Tiempo de Colombia, 1 de Nov. 2010) esto entre muchos otros encabezados similares.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong> Segundo Acto: Aparecen las pruebas “irrefutables” que calzan con exactitud con los requerimientos de las acusaciones interpuestas ¿De dónde salen?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Obvio…de alguna de las ya míticas e inagotables computadoras de los líderes abatidos de las FARC-EP<br />
Ronald Coy investigador perteneciente al grupo antiterrorista de la DIJIN aceptó ante un juez especializado de la audiencia pública que se rompió la cadena de custodia y que entre el día 1 y 3 de marzo las computadoras de Raúl Reyes habían estado expuestas a posibles manipulaciones y que esto hace que cualquier información que se quiera tomar como prueba judicial no pueda tomarse como evidencias, ya que no reciben las certificaciones necesarias. Haciendo caso omiso de tales declaraciones los ya famosos “correos de Raúl Reyes” que no son tales (ha sido reconocido por la Interpol que no se trata de correos si no de documentos Word) siguen develando con sospechosa oportunidad más y más antecedentes. Los supuestos y recientemente incautados computadores de Jorge Briceño, abren una nueva fuente de acusaciones cuyo límite sobrepasa las posibilidades de la imaginación de los simples mortales. Resulta curioso sin embargo constatar que si bien han afirmado que ya tienen en su poder las pruebas que inculparían a Olate, deban esperar dos meses para preparar su petición de extradición…¿O acaso aun falta el tercer paso?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Tercer Acto: Nace un testigo</strong><br />
La existencia no aislada de montajes judiciales en Colombia ha sido denunciada reiteradamente por distintas Organizaciones de derechos humanos tanto dentro como fuera de Colombia.<br />
En los llamados “falsos positivos judiciales” se destaca el papel clave de supuestos desmovilizados de las organizaciones guerrilleras que hacen de testigos falsos y la fabricación de informes de inteligencia dentro de las instalaciones militares que luego son usados en las fiscalías para la apertura de los procesos , esto según el Movimiento nacional de Victimas de crímenes de estado(MOVICE).<br />
Esto queda claro en el informe divulgado en febrero del 2009 por la Human Rights (organización, por cierto, bastante lejana a posturas progresistas) quien denuncia la generalización de investigaciones judiciales sin fundamento y prácticas violatorias del debido proceso, destacando la utilización de testigos a sueldo preparados por los fiscales y el uso de informantes y desertores como única fuente probatoria en función de meter en un solo saco represivo a todos los opositores políticos, disidentes o defensores de derechos humanos y sindicarlos como terroristas.<br />
“El montaje judicial, desafortunadamente, no constituye una conducta excepcional, inusitada o extraordinaria en Colombia, es mucho más “normal “de los que uno pudiese imaginarse” señala el Sacerdote Jesuita Javier Giraldo, defensor de derechos humanos y miembro de Centro de investigación y educación popular.<br />
Frente a estos antecedentes cabe preguntar ¿Qué garantías puede ofrecer el estado colombiano de otorgar un juicio justo a Manuel Olate? En la práctica ya ha sido condenado por los medios oficiales, así como también por el propio Juan Manuel Santos quien aseguró, tras la detención, que Olate había visitado 5 o 6 veces los campamentos de la guerrilla y que se trataba del enlace chileno con las FARC. De otra parte ya han dejado trascender que los supuestos vínculos del chileno estarían contenidos en los computadores de Raúl Reyes y que habría más pruebas en las supuestas Laptops del Mono Jojoy, solo falta el testimonio de los infaltables “testigos” para ratificar la crónica de una condena anunciada.<br />
En manos de la Justicia Chilena está hoy la posibilidad de no dejarse engañar por quienes han hecho de la justicia un oscuro circo que busca exterminar las posiciones divergentes a cualquier precio. Chile conoce muy bien de estos montajes, los negros años de dictadura militar lo hicieron triste testigo del asesinato y encarcelamiento de miles de chilenos y chilenas acusados de manera infundada y falaz de crímenes que nunca cometieron. Se vienen a la memoria la “Operación Albania”, las decenas de falsos enfrentamientos para encubrir la ejecución de los opositores a la dictadura, el “Plan Z “, el caso de Tucapel Jiménez y el asesinato posterior de su supuesto asesino y así tantos otros…confiamos que esa dura experiencia histórica haga luz sobre este caso y que Manuel Olate sea liberado con prontitud.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<p>Dirección Ejecutiva<br />
MOVIMIENTO CONTINENTAL BOLIVARIANO</p>
</div>
<div>Caracas, 1 de Noviembre 2010</div>
<div>Mas info:</div>
<div><a href="http://www.albatv.org/Detienen-a-militante-del-PC-e.html">http://www.albatv.org/Detienen-a-militante-del-PC-e.html</a></div>
</div>
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		<title>Two years of unjust imprisonment of Liliany Obando</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/08/two-years-of-unjust-imprisonment-of-liliany-obando/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/08/two-years-of-unjust-imprisonment-of-liliany-obando/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:54:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=404</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On August 8th 2010 Liliany Obando will have been imprisoned by the Colombian Government for two years. Liliany has been brought to court several times, but in most cases the authorities have applied successfully to postpone the hearing, while they seek further “evidence”.
Last Wednesday 4th August Ronald Coy Ortiz, the police captain, who oversaw the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On August 8<sup>th</sup> 2010 Liliany Obando will have been imprisoned by the Colombian Government for two years. Liliany has been brought to court several times, but in most cases the authorities have applied successfully to postpone the hearing, while they seek further “evidence”.</p>
<p>Last Wednesday 4<sup>th</sup> August Ronald Coy Ortiz, the police captain, who oversaw the initial investigation against Liliany, admitted in court that he tampered the information contained in computers allegedly belonging to Commandant Raúl Reyes, before he turned it over to the international police agency, INTERPOL. With this confession the evidence against Liliany has been discredited and she cannot be charged based on the illegally obtained and tempered evidence.</p>
<p>Liliany Obando is well known to Australians. She has visited Australia twice as part of her work for the Federation of United National Agricultural workers unions (FENSUAGRO), and while here she met many politicians, unions and social organisations. Liliany spoke of the continuing oppression of workers and their organisations in her country, and the need for international solidarity.</p>
<p>Peace and Justice for Colombia is asking all supporters to write letters of protest to the Colombian authorities, demanding her release and the end to this gross miscarriage of justice. Two years without a proper trial is unacceptable in any country that claims to be democratic. The obvious conclusion is that there is no real evidence, and that the Colombian authorities continue their repressive actions to silence any critics of the regime. Over 80% of the unionists killed worldwide in 2009 were killed in Colombia.</p>
<p>Send your letters of statements to the following authorities (and copy <a href="mailto:pjfcolombia@gmail.com">pjfcolombia@gmail.com</a>):</p>
<p>Ministry of Interior and Justice<br />
Fabio Valencia Cossio<br />
Protection Program<br />
Ministry of Interior and Justice<br />
Carrera 8 ª No. 13-31 Piso 4 Bogotá<br />
Phones: 1-3368366, 1-5662477<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:dhdirgeneral@cable.net.co" target="_blank">dhdirgeneral@cable.net.co</a></p>
<p>Director Presidential Program for Human Rights and IHL<br />
Carlos Franco<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:cefranco@presidencia.gov.co" target="_blank">cefranco@presidencia.gov.co</a></p>
<p>Advisor: Fernando Ibarra<br />
Tel: +57.1.5659797 or 5662064 571<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:fibarra@presidencia.gov.co" target="_blank">fibarra@presidencia.gov.co</a></p>
<p>Attorney General&#8217;s Office<br />
Ordonez Alejandro Maldonado<br />
Carrera 5 #. 15-80, Bogotá<br />
Fax: +57.1.342.97.23; +571.284.79.49. Fax: +57.1.342.97.23;</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:cap@procuraduria.gov.co" target="_blank">cap@procuraduria.gov.co</a>, <a href="mailto:quejas@procuraduria.gov.co" target="_blank">quejas@procuraduria.gov.co</a> and<a href="mailto:webmaster@procuraduria.gov.co" target="_blank">webmaster@procuraduria.gov.co</a></p>
<p>National Ombudsman<br />
Volmer Antonio Perez Ortiz<br />
Calle 55 # 10-32, Bogotá<br />
Fax: + 57.1.640.04.91</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:secretaria_privada@hotmail.com" target="_blank">secretaria_privada@hotmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:agenda@agenda.gov.co" target="_blank">agenda@agenda.gov.co</a></p>
<p>National Director INPEC<br />
Carlos Alberto Galindo Barragan<br />
Calle 26 No. 27-48, Bogotá<br />
PBX (57) 2347474 / 2347262</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:reclamos@inpec.gov.co" target="_blank">reclamos@inpec.gov.co</a>; <a href="mailto:Webmaster@inpec.gov.co" target="_blank">Webmaster@inpec.gov.co</a></p>
<p>Human Rights Coordinating Group INPEC<br />
Lagos Ivonne Diaz<br />
Calle 26 No. 27-48, Bogotá<br />
PBX (57) 2347474 / 2347262 EXT.: 190</p>
<p>Email: @ <a href="http://inpec.gov.co/" target="_blank">inpec.gov.co</a> ivonne.lagos</p>
<p>AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS &#8211; OAS<br />
Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:mpulido@oas.org" target="_blank">mpulido@oas.org</a></p>
<p>Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia<br />
Tel: (571) 658 3300 (571) 658 3300 &#8211; Bogotá, Colombia<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:oacnudh@hchr.org.co" target="_blank">oacnudh@hchr.org.co</a></p>
<p><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103569925640&amp;s=10062&amp;e=0011Q7ETJy1OFlabtjKREzNqTkljuD74jVOPPx27FlPG-jt_ol9FtHoEUwyTMcXmb6b87DopIb64F-8lM86rectnzGXjxGIgAm1hZv7ZaVFqB4uk8-0erZJ-7P5Qs6U_LmX" target="_blank"><br />
</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Interview with Liliany Obando, July 2010</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/07/interview-with-liliany-obando-july-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/07/interview-with-liliany-obando-july-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:59:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/07/interview-with-liliany-obando-july-2010/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Part 1

Part 2

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Part 1</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="350" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UpJDuNJTB0o&amp;feature" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UpJDuNJTB0o&amp;feature"></embed></object></p>
<p>Part 2</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="350" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d6B9Cw6278c&amp;feature" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d6B9Cw6278c&amp;feature"></embed></object></p>
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		<title>El pensamiento no se puede encarcelar</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/05/el-pensamiento-no-se-puede-encarcelar/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/05/el-pensamiento-no-se-puede-encarcelar/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2010 10:11:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Art in Rebellion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=385</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.rebelion.org/imagenes/p_12_05_2010.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="491" /></p>
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		<title>National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) of Australia in support of Dr. Miguel Angel Beltrán</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/04/national-tertiary-education-union-nteu-of-australia-in-support-of-dr-miguel-angel-beltran/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/04/national-tertiary-education-union-nteu-of-australia-in-support-of-dr-miguel-angel-beltran/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:04:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Campaigns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press releases/ statements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=376</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) of Australia have  expressed support for Dr. Miguel Ángel Beltran&#8217;s case. See the letter from NTEU  to President Uribe. Please circulate.
Ref:  60/35/012
23  April, 2010
Señor  Presidente Àlvaro Uribe Vélez
Presidente  de la República
Palacio  de Nariño
Carrera  8 No.7-26
BOGOTA,  COLOMBIA
Email:  auribe@presidencia.gov.co
Excelentisimo  Sr. Presidente Uribe,
Re:  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) of Australia have  expressed support for Dr. Miguel Ángel Beltran&#8217;s case. See the letter from NTEU  to President Uribe. Please circulate.<span id="more-376"></span></p>
<p>Ref:  60/35/012</p>
<p>23  April, 2010</p>
<p>Señor  Presidente Àlvaro Uribe Vélez</p>
<p>Presidente  de la República</p>
<p>Palacio  de Nariño</p>
<p>Carrera  8 No.7-26</p>
<p>BOGOTA,  COLOMBIA</p>
<p>Email:  <a href="mailto:auribe@presidencia.gov.co" target="_blank">auribe@presidencia.gov.co</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Excelentisimo  Sr. Presidente Uribe,<strong></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Re:  Dr Miguel Angel Beltr</span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">án</span></strong></p>
<p>I  am<strong> </strong>writing to you on behalf of the National Tertiary Education Union of Australia  (NTEU) which represents 26,000 staff employed in Australian universities and is  an affiliate of Education International.</p>
<p>We are very concerned about the  case of Colombian academic Dr Miguel Angel Beltrán who has been detained under high security since  May 2009.  We understand that his trial commenced on 12 April 2010, and are extremely concerned that the case  may be predetermined and not be conducted in a fair or transparent manner.</p>
<p>It is our belief that Miguel Angel  Beltrán is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his public comments and research on the political  situation in Colombia, and we reject Government claims that he is a “guerilla”, “a recruiter of terrorists” and “in concert to break the law with  terrorists”.  We strongly condemn the actions of the Colombian authorities in detaining Miguel Angel Beltrán for an extensive  period of time without charge as a violation of his fundamental human right to  freedom of expression and to academic freedom.</p>
<p>NTEU would like you to note the support for Miguel Angel Beltrán from other NGOs including the Universities and Colleges Union – United Kingdom (UCU UK) and the Latin  American Sociology Association (ALAS), and respectfully urge  you to ensure that independent international observers are allowed to be present at  Miguel Angel Beltrán’s trial.</p>
<p>We trust this matter will receive your most urgent attention.</p>
<p>Yours sincerely,</p>
<p>GRAHAME MCCULLOCH</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">General Secretary</span></strong></p>
<p>cc   The Hon. Stephen Smith, MP &#8211; Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)</p>
<p>Mr Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary, Education International</p>
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		<title>Open letter from Professor Miguel Angel Beltrán Villegas to the Colombian Association of University Students</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/03/open-letter-from-professor-miguel-angel-beltran-villegas-to-the-colombian-association-of-university-students/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2010/03/open-letter-from-professor-miguel-angel-beltran-villegas-to-the-colombian-association-of-university-students/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:48:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Colombians for peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Criminalisation of International Solidarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press releases/ statements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=330</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ I curse poetry conceived as a cultural luxury by the neutral ones who wash their hands, pretend not to know, and escape from reality. I curse the poetry from those that do not take side until getting dirty. —Gabriel Celaya
Dear students, workers and colleagues of the public and state universities of the country,
From my [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em> I curse poetry conceived as a cultural luxury by the neutral ones who wash their hands, pretend not to know, and escape from reality. I curse the poetry from those that do not take side until getting dirty. </em>—Gabriel Celaya</p>
<p>Dear students, workers and colleagues of the public and state universities of the country,</p>
<p>From my new prison cell in the high security wing of “La Picota” prison I wish to send a warm greeting, accompanied with renewed hopes of success in the struggles that appear on the horizon in 2010. A year that official tradition dedicates to the celebration of the bicentennial of independence.<span id="more-330"></span></p>
<p>It has been more than eight months that I have been in prison under trial for the supposed crimes of &#8221; rebellion&#8221; and &#8220;concert to break the law with terrorists aims&#8221;, in which I have been subject to the flagrant violation of my procedural guarantees; admitting illicit and illegal evidence like the computer of the deceased leader of the FARC, &#8220;Raul Reyes&#8221;; and incorporating victims of that guerrilla organization as special interveners who have received no concrete, real and specific damage from me.</p>
<p>Not being content with these abuses, on the 23rd of December I was removed under extreme security measures, from the facilities of the national jail &#8220;La Modelo&#8221;. During two days, my family, lawyers and friends did not know my whereabouts, to the point that they needed to raise the alarm about this situation to some national and international mass media and NGOs. My transfer took place the same day I obtained, after numerous institutional obstacles, the authorization for  the visit of my son, whom I had not seen for two years and &#8221; coincided&#8221; with the denunciations of corruption that days earlier I had made against a civil servant of the national Prison “La Modelo&#8221;.</p>
<p>On the 17th of February the “trial hearing” will go ahead .This is the step prior to sentencing, in a process that has had clearly political aims, and in which critical thinking and the freedom of teaching, principles that distinguished the student movement of Cordoba (Argentina) nearly a century ago, are also on trial.</p>
<p>These events occur in a chain of systematic attacks on the public university community, demonstrated not only in the increasing cuts of financial resources that place knowledge and the education services under the implacable logic of the market,and also violate the fundamental principles &#8211; like the freedom of thought and its institutional autonomy.</p>
<p>All of this has been demonstrated  by the arbitrary detentions of students, the incursion of the police in the university campus, the murder and disappearance of students, the threats to teachers and professors, the request on the part of the General Office of the public prosecutor of the Nation of the students names pertaining to public universities of Bogota and the proliferation of rebellion accusations levelled at university community members in hasty trials.and with restriction of access to the material of Luis Eduardo Sarmiento.</p>
<p>This situation takes us back to the dark years of the military dictatorships in South America, and becomes even more worrisome with recent government proposals to use a thousand students of Medellín as police informants , thus exploiting for its war interests the economic needs of this important social sector, trying to turn Colombia into a country of informers, and intensifying, the armed and social conflict that President Alvaro Uribe Vélez tries to hide.</p>
<p>The incorporation of students in these military intelligence activities not only denotes an absence of an education project for strategic sectors in the social and cultural development of the nation, but also entails high risks of  transforming the university campus into a war zone.</p>
<p>It should be noted that the informant network is one of the fundamental pillars of the ill-named government policy of &#8221; democratic security” that has served to sustain “false positives&#8221; (extra judicial killings),the persecution of numerous intellectuals, students, social, popular, and indigenous leaders who at the moment flood the jails of the country. Today we can speak of more than 7,000 political prisoners detained under cruel and overcrowded conditions that the Colombian government tries to ignore with the sophism of having a frontal attack against terrorism.</p>
<p>Against these facts, the university cannot evade its responsibility by using a supposed &#8220;neutrality.&#8221; On the contrary it must assume the social commitment to lead, from the academic sector, the generation of proposals that help to give solution to the social problems.</p>
<p>It is through open and pluralistic debate of ideas-not of the silence and the adulation of individual thought- that the university can guarantee the fulfilment of its social function and be elevated to a true instrument for social transformation, in the context of an ever changing world.</p>
<p>This becomes even more necessary in a country like ours where &#8211; a colleague of the University of Antioquia reminded us, “the people are gagged, plugged and blindfolded, so as not to speak anything, not hear anything and not see anything”, because &#8211; in a society riven by internal conflict it turns out to be convenient to keep silence so not to be misunderstood, and moreover it is comfortable to speak the language of those in power, so they will not turn us into the object of their reprisals.</p>
<p>My academic life has closely been linked to the fight for democratic ideals, first as a student, as later as a teacher and now as political prisoner of an establishment that criminalizes committed educational work.</p>
<p>I am thankful to all the students, workers and colleagues of the public university and some private universities who, with their words and actions &#8211; in an open or quiet way &#8211; have offered valuable solidarity to me. Also I am thankful to the Association of University Professors (ASPU), to the Association of Professors of the University of Antioquia (ASPRUDEA), to the organizations and student work groups, as well as to their alternative media for their untiring commitment for my freedom. This is the commitment to freedom of thought and opinion and the respect for scientific and intellectual work.</p>
<p>Be assured that the campaign that you have developed has not been in vain, and although these bars and armed guards try to scare me and to debilitate my democratic convictions, I guarantee that I will maintain unbroken my critical voice, my commitment to the defence of the public university and the search for political solutions to the armed and social conflict in Colombia.</p>
<p>Fraternally</p>
<p>Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas</p>
<p>Associate Professor of Sociology, National University of Colombia</p>
<p>From the &#8220;High Security&#8221; pavilion of &#8220;la Picota&#8221; jail, February 1, 2010.</p>
<p><a href="http://lavozdelpueblo-ciin.blogspot.com/2010/02/urgente-solicitud-de-adhesion-en-juicio.html" target="_blank"> La voz del pueblo</a></p>
<p>Translated for Peace and Justice for Colombia</p>
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		<title>Immediate action needed in support of home detention for Liliany Obando</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2009/12/immediate-action-needed-in-support-of-home-detention-for-liliany-obando/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2009/12/immediate-action-needed-in-support-of-home-detention-for-liliany-obando/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:01:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FENSUAGRO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International solidarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press releases/ statements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[HEARING ON MONDAY, DEC. 21ST 2009
We have learned that Colombian political prisoner, Liliany Obando, will have another hearing today THIS MONDAY, DEC. 21ST. Please support her application for Home Detention. This is a basic right frequently given to those accused and convicted of a broad range of crimes, including those jailed for paramilitary and parapolitical [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>HEARING ON MONDAY, DEC. 21ST 2009</p>
<p>We have learned that Colombian political prisoner, Liliany Obando, will have another hearing today THIS MONDAY, DEC. 21ST. Please support her application for Home Detention. This is a basic right frequently given to those accused and convicted of a broad range of crimes, including those jailed for paramilitary and parapolitical activities.<span id="more-269"></span></p>
<p>The right to home detention is especially made available to single mothers, like Liliany, who are sole providers for their families.</p>
<p>We are urging people to act now and contact the presiding Judge, Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar.  If at all possible, we suggest people send his office a fax. However, if you are unable to make an international call, please send your message as an email.</p>
<p>SAMPLE EMAIL/FAX:</p>
<p>English version (copy and paste and sign or develop your own)<br />
Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar,<br />
Juez # 9<br />
Via fax &amp; Email,<br />
Your attention:<br />
info@ramajudicial.gov.co<br />
FAX +57-1-323 0102</p>
<p>The Honorable Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar:</p>
<p>I am writing in support of the petition for home detention by Colombian political prisoner, Liliany Patricia Obando Villota.  Ms Obando is a head of household, single mother of two children.  The right to home detention is frequently extended to prisoners in similar circumstances, even to those accused or convicted of paramilitary or parapolitical crimes.  We call on you to do the right thing and grant Ms Obando’s petition for the well-being of her family, especially her children.</p>
<p>I solemnly believe that Liliany Obando this to be her right and that she does not represent any danger to her community. She is an academic and critical thinker whose constitutional rights must be guaranteed.</p>
<p>Yours truly,<br />
Signed by__________________________________________</p>
<p>Spanish version (copie, pegue y firme abajo o envie su propia version)</p>
<p>PAZ Y JUSTICIA PARA COLOMBIA, PJFC-AUSTRALIA</p>
<p>Actualizacion 8   20 de Diciembre2009</p>
<p>SE SOLICITA ACCIÓN INMEDIATA EN APOYO A LA SOLICITUD DE CASA POR CÁRCEL DE LILIANY OBANDO: AUDIENCIA PUBLICA LUNES 21 DE DICIEMBRE 2009 en BOGOTA, COL</p>
<p>Somos del conocimiento que la prisionera política colombiana, Liliany Obando tendrá una audiencia publica este Lunes 21 de Diciembre para dilucidar su caso y la solicitud de detención domiciliaria.</p>
<p>Este es un derecho constitucional dado frecuentemente a aquellos acusados y convictos de una seria amplia de delitos incluyendo aquellos sentenciados por para militarismo y parapolítica. Este derecho a la detención domiciliaria es especialmente concedido a las madres solteras cabeza de familia quienes como Liliany son las únicas sostenedoras de sus familias.</p>
<p>Nosotros le pedimos a nuestros amigos y colaboradores a que actúen ahora y contacten al juez de la Fiscalía a cargo del caso: Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar.  Si fuera posible le pedimos a las personas que le envíen al juez un fax a su oficina. Sin embargo si no les es posible hacer llamadas internacionales o utilizar una maquina de fax entonces les pedimos que envíen un mensaje electrónico.</p>
<p>MUESTRA DE EMAIL/FAX:<br />
(Copie, pegue y firme la muestra o haga su propia versión de carta)</p>
<p>20 de Diciembre de 2009.</p>
<p>Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar,<br />
Juez # 9<br />
Por fax y correo electrónico,<br />
Su despacho:<br />
info@ramajudicial.gov.co<br />
FAX +57-1-323 0102</p>
<p>Distinguido Doctor Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar;</p>
<p>Le escribimos en apoyo a la solicitud de detención domiciliaria presentada por la prisionera política colombiana, señora Liliany Patricia Obando Villota.  La señora Obando es una madre cabeza de familia con dos niños.  El derecho a la detención domiciliaria es extendido con frecuencia a prisioneros en circunstancias semejantes, aun a los acusados o condenados por parapolítica y por actividad paramilitar.  Le instamos a hacer lo correcto y justo y conceda la petición hecha por Liliany Obando por el bien de su familia, especialmente sus niños.<br />
Creo solemnemente que Liliany Obando tiene este derecho y que ella no representa ningún peligro para su comunidad. Ella es una académica y una pensadora critica cuyos derechos constitucionales deben ser garantizados.</p>
<p>Atentamente,</p>
<p>Firma: ________________________</p>
<p>PARA ENVIAR UN EMAIL,</p>
<p>Ponga en el espacio de Asunto:  “Atención Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar, Juez # 9” y Mandelo a la siguiente dirección: info@ramajudicial.gov.co<br />
Envié copia de su mensaje a nuestras siguientes direcciones:<br />
pjfcolombia@gmail.com &amp; sol.net.pp@gmail.com</p>
<p>PARA ENVIAR UN FAX O PARA LLAMAR DIRECTAMENTE:</p>
<p>DR. OSCAR GUSTAVO JAIMES VILLAMIZAR:<br />
TEL +57-1-288 7909, FAX +57-1-323 0102</p>
<p>TO SEND AN EMAIL,<br />
Put in the subject line:<br />
“Atención Dr. Oscar Gustavo Jaimes Villamizar, Juez # 9” and send to: info@ramajudicial.gov.co<br />
Please send a copy to:<br />
pjfcolombia@gmail.com &amp; sol.net.pp@gmail.com</p>
<p>TO SEND A FAX OR TO CALL DIRECTLY:</p>
<p>DR. OSCAR GUSTAVO JAIMES VILLAMIZAR:<br />
TEL +57-1-288 7909, FAX +57-1-323 0102</p>
<p>BACKGROUND INFORMATION:</p>
<p>There are more than 7,200 political prisoners in Colombia.  PJFC works in solidarity with all these prisoners, but has a particular concern regarding the case of Liliany Obando. She served as a consultant for FENSUAGRO, the largest union of farmers and farm workers in Colombia.</p>
<p>She was arrested the very week she was to release a report on the murders of FENSUAGRO members by the military and paramilitaries.</p>
<p>Liliany’s case is a flagship case, because she was the first person detained and tried on bogus charges as part of the FARC-política. The FARC-política is an attempt to repress, intimidate and marginalize the political opposition, labor and student movements by falsely linking them to Colombia’s armed rebellion. The basis for this process are emails allegedly discovered in computers recovered after a bombing attack by the Colombian Air Force against a guerrilla peace negotiation camp on March 1, 2008. However, the Colombian Police Officer in charge of the initial investigation has said the computers contained no emails but only documents in Word. The international police agency, INTERPOL, has said that the computer’s files showed evidence of tampering by the Colombian authorities.</p>
<p>Liliany’s case is important for two reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>If she wins the case, the whole FARC-política process is discredited; but if  she loses,  then a precedent is set for a virtual witch-hunt against the Colombian opposition based on this process.</li>
<li> The Colombian government is trying hard to shut down FENSUAGRO by spuriously portraying it as a front for the guerrillas.  A conviction of Liliany will result in a renewed effort against FENSUAGRO, which is already the most persecuted union in Colombia.</li>
</ol>
<p>In solidarity,<br />
Peace and Justice for Colombia, PJFC.<br />
Websites: www.colombiasolidarity.net  &amp;  www.freeliliany.net<br />
Emails: pjfcolombia@gmail.com &amp; freelilianynow@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Women Political Prisoners: Urgent Call for Action</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2009/10/women-political-prisoners-urgent-call-for-action/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2009/10/women-political-prisoners-urgent-call-for-action/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:39:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[International solidarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press releases/ statements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=260</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From the Permanent Campaign in Solidarity with Political Prisoners, “Traspasa los Muros” 
libertadpresxspoliticxs.jimdo.com
 
The Permanent Campaign in Solidarity with the Political Detainees transcribes and resends the following:
PUBLIC DENUNCIATION
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR OF COLOMBIA THREATENS THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WOMEN PRISONERS OF THE TRAMACUA PENITENTIARY OF VALLEDUPAR-COLOMBIA
From The Women Political Prisoners and Prisoners of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">From the Permanent Campaign in Solidarity with Political Prisoners, “Traspasa los Muros”<strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://libertadpresxspoliticxs.jimdo.com/" target="_blank">libertadpresxspoliticxs.jimdo.com</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Permanent Campaign in Solidarity with the Political Detainees transcribes and resends the following:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">PUBLIC DENUNCIATION</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR OF COLOMBIA THREATENS THE HUMAN RIGHTS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WOMEN PRISONERS OF THE TRAMACUA PENITENTIARY OF VALLEDUPAR-COLOMBIA</p>
<p>From The Women Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War of the High Security Penitentiary of Valledupar-La Tramacua:  Before the national and international community we denounce and reject the authoritarianism and abuse of power of the Colombian Senior Minister of the Interior, FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO, as a result of the following deeds:<span id="more-260"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>FACTS</strong></p>
<p>On October 16, 2009, the Minister of the Interior, FABIO VALENCIA COSSIO, abusing his power threatened our Human Rights Representative.  Watching her every move, he prohibited her from continuing to give declarations by phone and ordered a disciplinary process to be opened against her for denouncing over the radio the outrages and inhumane conditions in which we find ourselves, the 104 women detained in La Tramacua, and, equally, the failure to fulfill the promises made to improve our living conditions and to transfer defendants and medium security convicts to prisons near their families.</p>
<p>No less could be expected from an illegitimate and illegal government whose justice comes from a foundation of military intelligence set-ups and the bribery and buying of witnesses.  Moreover, it is a government accused internationally of state crimes, false-positives[i], illegal wiretaps, the stigmatization and the irresponsible targeting of human rights defenders and popular leaders.</p>
<p>The threatening watch of the Minister only shows that he fears that it might be made public that in Colombia there are special “Five Star” jails in which one finds inmates such as his brother, GUILLERMO LEÓN VALENCIA, accused of narcotrafficking and paramilitary activities, who, together with the government allies linked to the para-politica[ii], enjoy privileges and comforts in special pavilions where they have access to cell phones, computers, the internet, visits at various times of the week, food service to the cells and even their own massage therapists.  Meanwhile, we, the 104 women who are in La Tramacua, withstand extreme temperatures of 28 to 35 degrees Celsius (83 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) without access to water and far from our families who cannot visit us due to the long distance and lack of resources.  We are chained hand and foot even to go for an external medical review.</p>
<p>As political prisoners, we stand behind the denunciations and petitions of our Human Rights Representative to dignify our conditions of confinement and the exercise of the right of freedom of expression.</p>
<p>We make a call to national and international Human Rights organizations, to Colombianos y Colombianas por la Paz (Colombians for Peace), that they:</p>
<p>1.    Reject the persecution that confronts the Human Rights Representatives in Colombian jails.</p>
<p>2.    Verify the conditions in which we find ourselves, which we have denounced in previous opportunities.</p>
<p>3.    Send their communications rejecting the reprisals and conditions to which we are submitted to the following Colombian authorities:</p>
<p>President of the Republic</p>
<p>ÁLVARO URIBE VÉLEZ. PALACIO DE NARIÑO</p>
<p>Carrera 8 No.7-2, Bogotá. Colombia</p>
<p>Fax: +57 1 337 5890 / 342 0592.</p>
<p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:auribe@presidencia.gov.co" target="_blank">auribe@presidencia.gov.co</a></p>
<p>Presidential Program for Human and International Rights</p>
<p>Director Carlos Franco.</p>
<p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:cefranco@presidencia.gov.co" target="_blank">cefranco@presidencia.gov.co</a>.</p>
<p>Asesor Fernando Ibarra.</p>
<p>Tel.: +57.1.336.03.11, FAX: +57.1.337.46.67</p>
<p>E-mail: <a href="mailto:fibarra@presidencia.gov.co" target="_blank">fibarra@presidencia.gov.co</a></p>
<p>National Court System</p>
<p>Diagonal 22B (Av. Luis Carlos Galán No. 52-01) Bloque C, Piso 4, Bogotá, Colombia. Fax: + 57 1 570 2000 (extensión 2017).<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:denuncias@fiscalia.gov.co" target="_blank">denuncias@fiscalia.gov.co</a> y <a href="mailto:contacto@fiscalia.gov.co" target="_blank">contacto@fiscalia.gov.co</a></p>
<p>National Attorney General</p>
<p>ALEJANDRO ORDÓÑEZ MALDONADO</p>
<p>Carrera 5 #. 15-80, Bogotá.<br />
Fax: +57.1.342.97.23; +571.284.79.49. Fax: +57.1.342.97.23;<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:cap@procuraduria.gov.co" target="_blank">cap@procuraduria.gov.co</a>, <a href="mailto:quejas@procuraduria.gov.co" target="_blank">quejas@procuraduria.gov.co</a>; y <a href="mailto:webmaster@procuraduria.gov.co" target="_blank">webmaster@procuraduria.gov.co</a><br />
National Public Defender</p>
<p>VOLMAR ANTONIO PÉREZ ORTIZ</p>
<p>Calle 55 # 10-32, Bogotá<br />
Fax: + 57.1.640.04.91<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:secretaria_privada@hotmail.com" target="_blank">secretaria_privada@hotmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:agenda@agenda.gov.co" target="_blank">agenda@agenda.gov.co</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>THE POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF WAR ARE NOT CRIMINALS!  WE SUPPORT THE HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS!!!</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>POLITICAL PRISONERS AND PRISONERS OF WAR</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>PENITENTIARY OF VALLEDUPAR –CESAR “LA TRAMACUA”</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong> </strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>Colombia, October 22, 2009</strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong> </strong></p>
<hr size="1" />[i] “False positives” refers to the practice by members of the Colombian military of killing civilian young people, then dressing them to look like guerrillas killed in battle.  Some 1,200 persons have been proven officially to have been executed as “false positives”.  This scandal has reached to the highest levels of the Colombian military and at one point resulted in the dismissal of 30 military personnel, including the Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces.</p>
<p>[ii] The “para-politica” refers to the large number of elected officials allied with the administration of Pres. Álvaro Uribe who have been shown to be linked to narcotraffickers and paramilitaries.  For instance, some 40% of Colombian Congresspersons have been arrested or are under investigation for such links.</p>
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		<title>Peace and Justice for Colombia call for action</title>
		<link>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2009/10/peace-and-justice-for-colombia-call-for-action/</link>
		<comments>http://colombiasolidarity.net/2009/10/peace-and-justice-for-colombia-call-for-action/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:46:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[International solidarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Political prisoners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press releases/ statements]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://colombiasolidarity.net/?p=249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
TO ALL DEFENDERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE LOVING PEOPLE
Peace and Justice for Colombia (PJFC) calls on you to protest recent actions by Australian and Colombian police agencies that violated the human rights and prisoner conventions of labour activist and political prisoner, Liliany Obando. We denounce the attempts by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><img class="alignnone" src="http://www.freeliliany.net/sites/default/files/encabezado_0.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="120" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">TO ALL DEFENDERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE LOVING PEOPLE</p>
<p>Peace and Justice for Colombia (PJFC) calls on you to protest recent actions by Australian and Colombian police agencies that violated the human rights and prisoner conventions of labour activist and political prisoner, Liliany Obando. We denounce the attempts by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to obtain information on organizations and individuals that Ms Obando met while touring Australia. This is an attempt to internationalize the so-called FARC-Politics and criminalize international solidarity.</p>
<p>On 2<sup>nd</sup> September 2009, prison guards told Liliany Obando that social services wanted to interview her.  Once at the interview room she was informed the interview would be with personnel from the Colombian General Prosecutor&#8217;s office.  In the room she found a woman and two men, one of whom appeared to be a foreigner, waiting.<span id="more-249"></span></p>
<p>Ms Obando asked their identities. One introduced himself as Juan Carlos Cortés and said the other two were from the Australian Embassy.  Liliany asked to see their identification and a judicial order.  As they were unable to produce either, Cortés then said he was a member of the Colombian Judicial and Investigative Police (DIJIN).  The other man identified himself as David Nelson of the Australian Federal Police.  They proceeded to ask Liliany about organizations and persons she had met in Australia in 2005 and 2007 during which she represented FENSUAGRO, the largest Colombian union of farmers and farm workers.  When Liliany refused to answer because her lawyer was not present and there was no interrogation order, Cortés claimed her lawyer was waiting outside. He failed however to name her counsel and Liliany continued to insist her rights be respected and chose not to answer. The interview was terminated.</p>
<p>The following day Ms Obando issued a complaint and in doing so discovered that Cortés was really Oscar Leonel Ochoa and the woman was Diana Marlene Plaza, both employees of Colombian national intelligence agency (DAS).  The identity of Australian Federal Police Officer David Nelson was confirmed.</p>
<p>It is shameful to see this cooperation between the Australian Federal Police and the intelligence agency (DAS) of the Uribe regime renowned for its engagement in illegal wiretaps and surveillance of hundreds of human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, political opposition and Supreme Court judges.  We find it disturbing that the Australian Federal Police is complicit with DAS by investigating the political opposition and vilifying a trade unionist, single mother of two who has been incarcerated for more than 14 months most of it without charge for solely denouncing human rights abuses and expressing her opposing views.</p>
<p>Peace and Justice for Colombia believes that the use of Australian tax payers money by the AFP in this particular matter, not only violates the rights of a Colombian citizen which are guaranteed in the Colombian constitution but it also supports the Uribe regime’s attacks on the Colombian people in particularly the political opposition. This action attempts to criminalize the international solidarity expressed by Australian trade unionists, individuals and religious and community organizations.</p>
<p>PJFC requests that you and your organisation write to the Australian authorities to demand:</p>
<ul>
<li>The      AFP explains the basis for cooperation with the Uribe administration and its national intelligence agency (DAS).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The      Australian Government and the AFP investigate and take action against alleged      agent David Nelson for breaches of international conventions.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The      Australian Government suspends its involvement with the Uribe regime until      such time human and trade union rights are protected in Colombia.</li>
</ul>
<p>Post or fax your messages and letters to:</p>
<p>Hon Brendan O’Connor MP<br />
Minister for Home Affairs<br />
PO Box 6022<br />
Parliament House<br />
Canberra ACT 2601<br />
Tel:  (02) 6277 7290 orFax: (02) 6273 7098</p>
<p>Tony Negus APM<br />
Commissioner of the AFP<br />
PO Box 401<br />
Canberra City ACT 2601<br />
Tel: (02) 6223 3000</p>
<p>Copy your letters to:</p>
<p>Peace &amp; Justice for Colombia,</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:pjfcolombia@gmail.com">pjfcolombia@gmail.com</a></p>
<p>Yours in solidarity,</p>
<p>Peace &amp; Justice for Colombia, PJFC-Australia</p>
<p><a href="http://www.colombiasolidarity.net/">www.colombiasolidarity.net</a></p>
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