colombia

Colombia: Death threats against human rights defenders Ms Martha Lucia Giraldo, Ms Cristina Castro, Ms Berenice Celeyta and Ms Aída Quilcuéposted on: 2010/12/21

On 10 December 2010, human rights defenders Ms Martha Lucia Giraldo, Ms Cristina Castro, Ms Berenice Celeyta and Ms Aída Quilcué received numerous death threats following a public event held in Valle de Cauca to mark the 61st anniversary of International Human Rights Day.

Further Information

Marta Lucia Giraldo works with the Movimiento de Victimas de Crimenes de Estado – MOVICE (Movement of Victims of State Crimes);

Cristina Castro is a member of the Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Politicos- Seccional Valle de Cauca - CSPP (Solidarity Committee for Political Prisoners – Valle de Cauca branch);

Berenice Celeyta is the Director of the Asociacion Para la Investigacion y Accion Social - Asociación NOMADESC (Association for Investigation and Social Action);

Aída Quilcué is the former Chief Counsel of the Consejo Regional Indígena de Colombia – CRIC (The Indigenous Regional Council of Cauca).

On 10 December 2010, various human rights organisations in the Valle de Cauca region of Colombia came together to mark the 61st anniversary of International Human Rights Day. Public events to mark the day were held in the municipalities of Cali and Zarzal.

Dublin: Irish agencies concerned for safety of Colombian organisations working to defend human rights posted on: 2010/10/07

Today (Thursday 7 Oct) a coalition of Irish NGOs issued an open letter to Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, expressing their concern for the safety of human rights defenders in Colombia.

Colombia: Death threats against human rights lawyers Ms Blanca Irene López and Ms Claudia Erazoposted on: 2009/04/06

Front Line is concerned following reports of death threats against human rights lawyers, Ms Blanca Irene López and Ms Claudia Erazo, received on 26 March 2009. Blanca Irene López and Claudia Erazo work for the Corporación Jurídica Yira Castro – CJYC (Yira Castro Judicial Corporation), an organisation which defends the rights of displaced people and peasant communities.

Colombia: Joint NGO statement to the United Nations Periodic Review re the situation of human rights defenders.posted on: 2009/03/20

Human Rights First, Front Line and the Observatory for the protection of human rights defenders have issued a joint statement to the United Nations Periodic Review calling on the Government of Colombia to release all human rights defenders currently being held illegally in detention and to take immediate action to investigate threats against and attacks on human rights defenders.

Colombia: Threats against human rights lawyer, Lina Paolo Malagón Díazposted on: 2009/03/11

Front Line is seriously concerned following reports that human rights lawyer, Ms Lina Paolo Malagón Díaz, received a threatening fax on 2 March 2009. In the fax, Lina Paolo Malagón Díaz was listed as a military target and accused of having ties with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia. Lina Paolo Malagón Díaz is a member of the Comisión Colombiana de Juristas – CCJ (Colombian Commission of Jurists).

Colombia – Killing of Mr Edwin Legarda Vazquez, husband of human rights defender, Ms Aída Quilcuéposted on: 2008/12/19

Front Line and Human Rights First strongly condemn the murder of Mr Edwin Legarda Vazquez, husband of human rights defender, Ms Aída Quilcué, Chief Counsel of the Consejo Regional Indígena de Colombia - CRIC (The Indigenous Regional Council of Cauca), on 16 December 2008. We ask that you urge the Colombian Government to undertake a prompt, impartial investigation into the murder and to protect Ms Quilcué and her family.

Colombia - Attempted assassination of prominent human rights defender Jesús Emilio Tuberquiaposted on: 2008/11/06

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.

Colombia - Assassination of human rights defender Walberto Hoyos Rivasposted on: 2008/10/30

Front Line is deeply saddened by the assassination of human rights defender and community leader Walberto Hoyos Rivas on 14 October 2008. Walberto Hoyos Rivas was a member of the Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz (CIJP) based in the humanitarian district of Caño Manso in the zone of Curbaradó, Chocó, Colombia, where he worked on behalf of displaced people.

Colombia: Jackeline Rojas victim of continued death threats and intimidationposted on: 2008/10/22

Jackeline Rojas is a prominent human rights defender in Colombia. She is the oordinator and legal representative for the Organisation Femenina Popular in Magdalena Medio, Colombia. Jackeline Rojas and the OFP work to empower women and those who say no to war and violence. Human rights defenders are the objects of constant surveillance and attacks in Colombia.

Colombia: Attack against human rights defender Luisa Fernanda Malo Rodríguezposted on: 2008/08/29

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the attack against human rights defender Luisa Fernanda Malo Rodríguez, member of the Fundación Esperanza (Hope Foundation), an organisation working in the defence of the rights of displaced peoples, migrants, and of women and girls who have been victims of exploitation.