Front Line is concerned following reports of threats against Iván Cepeda Castro, of the Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes del Estado (National Movement for Victims of State Crime) and Hernando Meneses Velaides, Human Rights Secretary of the Unión Sindical Obrera (Workers Union USO), on 17 August 2007. Iván Cepeda Castro, along with other human rights defenders, has been involved in documenting approximately 40,000 cases of serious human violations committed in Colombia since 1996.

Further information

On 17 August 2007, Iván Cepeda Castro and Hernando Meneses Velaides received a threatening email. The message condemned members of USO and other social and political organisations in the region of Cartagena to death. The email also declared '...SINDICALISTS, SOCIAL and political leaders, journalists and organisations promoting democracy, along with student friends of the GUERRILLA of CARTAGENA...' as military targets, warning them that they and their families are being watched. According to reports, the message was sent by a paramilitary group known as Águilas Negras (Black Eagles). Furthermore, on 31 August 2007, Rodolfo Vecino Acevedo, also a member of USO, received a threatening email warning him that he would be targeted if he continued his activities in defence of human rights.

Iván Cepeda Castro has been the victim of ongoing harassment and intimidation for some time. In April 2007, he was charged with slander and libel for exposing information about human rights violations in Colombia which implicated government officials.

Front Line is concerned that the threats against Iván Cepeda Castro and Hernando Meneses Velaides, along with members of USO, including Rodolfo Vecino Acevedo, are directly related to their activities in defence of human rights in Colombia. Further concern is expressed for the security of Iván Cepeda Castro, Hernando Meneses Velaides and the members of USO.