The Human Rights Actions Network
www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/
ACTION REQUEST
Case COL 230899
The International Secretariat of the OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Colombia.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of the OMCT, together with the
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights (a joint program of FIDH
and OMCT) has been informed about the grave concern for the life, the
security, and the physical and psychological integrity of the following
people Alfredo Molano, Alejandro Reyes Posada, Hernando
Hernandez, Arturo Alape, Alfredo Colmenaares Chia, Jairo Enrique
Rojas Pulido, Pablo Elias Gonzalez, Alirio Uribe, Fabricio Lopez, Javier
Giraldo, Alvaro Layva Duran, Omar Garcia, Gabriel Izquierdo, Libardo
Ramces Pinilla Rueda, Jaime Caycedo, Hector Mondragon, Jose Galvis,
Nolasco Presiga, Gregorio Oviedo Oviedo, Gilberto Medina and Patricia
Lara.
According to the information, the names of these persons appear on a
"black list" apparently released by a group calling themselves "Ejercito
Rebelde Colombiano". This list accuses these persons are accused of
inciting war amongst the Colombian people, and of encouraging fighting
and discontent between social classes.
This list names intellectuals, journalists, writers, social researches,
politicians and even a senior public servant of the General Attorney's
Office.
OMCT reaffirms its grave concern for the life, security, physical and
psychological integrity of these persons, as well as for the persistence of
harassment and assaults of teachers, journalists, members of the General
Attorney's Office, politicians, social researches and human rights
defenders (see Urgent Action of the Observatory COL 009/9908/OBS
054).
Action requested
Please write to the Colombian authorities urging them to
i. guarantee the life, the physical and psychological integrity, and the
security of the people mentioned above;
ii. ensure prompt and impartial investigations into the threats to these
persons, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and
apply the sanctions in accordance with international human rights
standards;
iii.take the appropriate measures to put end to the actions of the
paramilitary groups and the death squadrons.
iv. reform the penal Code such that threats, particularly death threats,
are defined as criminal acts.
v. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms in accordance with national laws and international human
rights standards.
Addresses
Doctor Andrés Pastrana Arango, Presidente de la República de
Colombia, Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 Nº 7-26, Santafé de Bogotá,
Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 2842186.
Dr Gustavo Bell Lemus, Consejero Presidencial para los Derechos
Humanos, Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 Nº 7-26, Santafé de Bogotá,
Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 3418364
Dr Jaime Bernal Cuellar, Procurador General de la Nación, Carrera Nº 5, 15-
80, Santafé de Bogotá. Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 2840472 // 3429723
Dr. Alfonso Gómez Méndez, Fiscal General de la Nación, Fiscalia General
de la Nación, Diagonal 22B 5201, Apartado Aéreo 29855, Santafé de
Bogotá, Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 2882828
Dr Fernando Castro Caicedo, Defensor del Pueblo, Calle 55 Nº 10-32,
Santafé de Bogotá. Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 3461225
Ministro del Interior, Ministerio del Interior, Carrera 8 Nº 8-09, Santafé de
Bogotá. Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 2515884
Ministro de Defensa, Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, Avenida El
Dorado con Carrera 52 CAN, Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia. Fax (+ 571
2884906)
Embassy of Colombia in your respective countries.
Geneva, August 23 1999.
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting of this appeal in your
reply.
