Colombia - Attempted assassination of prominent human rights defender Jesús Emilio Tuberquia

Front Line is extremely concerned by reports of the attempted assassination of Jesús Emilio Tuberquia on 1 November 2008. Jesús Emilio Tuberquia is a leader and legal representative of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in the north-western department of Antioquia.

Further Information

posted 06/11/08 On 1 November at approximately 2.30 in the afternoon, two well-known paramilitaries approached Jesús Emilio Tuberquia outside an internet café in the neighbourhood of Ortiz de Apartadó. One of them put a gun to his head and said, "We are going to kill you." Jesús Emilio Tuberquia grabbed the man's hand and ran away however he dropped his bag as he escaped. The paramilitaries pursued him but were unable to catch him. The paramilitaries then returned to the internet café and took the bag, which contained information about the Peace Community.

For a number of months, Jesús Emilio Tuberquia and other members the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó have been the victims of threats from paramilitary and military groups. Front Line is concerned that this attempted assassination forms part of a trend of intimidation and harassment against members of the Peace Community. Front Line urges the Colombian authorities to ensure that human rights defenders and human rights organisations in Colombia are free to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals.