Colombia to Probe Threats Against Human Rights Groups

[Judi Lynn]

August 25th, 2010
Colombia to Probe Threats Against Human Rights Groups

The United Nations human rights office in Colombia joined Vice President Angelino Garzon on Wednesday to demand an investigation into threats and murders of human rights workers across the country.

“The government condemns any murder or threat against human rights workers,” Garzon said, according to Caracol Radio. “We ask prosecutors, judges, military authorities and the police to take all necessary measures to condemn these type of threats.”

Human rights groups have said that these threats originate from paramilitary groups, even though Colombia’s government has in the past said that there are no longer any paramilitary groups in the country, and claimed the 2006 demobilization of the country’s largest right-wing paramilitary group, the Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), was a success. The government argues that these groups should be considered “emerging criminal gangs.”

But human rights defenders and judicial experts claim the AUC has fractured into fringe groups that are wreaking havoc all over the country in their quest to secure strategic drug routes. Those who receive death threats from groups calling themselves the “Black Eagles” and “Weeds” say the terrifying language used is all-too-reminiscent of the AUC.

According to a Human Rights Watch report, Colombia’s new paramilitary groups employ threats that are personal, intimate, and oftentimes political. One bears a stamped insignia of two soldiers and an AK-47. Another boasts sneering skull with black wings on either side. Many show cut-out letters from magazines and newspapers spelling out plans to disappear someone forever for having a mother-in-law who is an “infiltrator.”

The calls for an investigation come as part of President Juan Manuel Santos‘ stated commitment to the defense of human rights. In his inauguration speech, Santos declared the government’s “firm and unwavering commitment” to the promotion and protection of human rights.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/blog/colombia-demands-investigation-into-threats-against-human-rights-groups/6022/

[rabs]

1. Santos to meet with Piedad and her human rights group

President Juan Manuel Santos will meet with Colombians for Peace, a group headed by Senator Piedad Cordoba.

Cordoba announced the plan following a meeting of the Liberal Party with Santos on Wednesday.

"I am very grateful and very obliged because this door is opened to us, a door to continue working for what is significant for Colombia, which is the construction of scenarios of peace," said the Liberal senator.

Colombians for Peace aims to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict between the Colombian state and the FARC guerrilla group. It campaigns for dialogue with the rebels, and for a prisoner exchange of imprisoned rebels for FARC hostages.

More:

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/11514-santos-to-meet-with-colombians-for-peace.html

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Don't know quite what to make of Santos' intentions yet. But one thing is certain, almost daily there is a new development that must have uribito's stomach churning with bile.

Btw, yesterday there was announcement that Santos and Chavez will get together again for another summit later this month or early next.

[Peace Patriot]

2. Ah, me. Here I go being a wet blanket again. But it needs to be said...

Now that so many trade unionists, community leaders, teachers, human rights workers, journalists, peasant farmers and others are dead--murdered by the Colombian military and its rightwing death squads, with a good deal of this slaughter having occurred while Santos was Uribe's Defense Minister (not to mention other crimes--massive spying, bribery, protection of big drug lords, massive theft of land from peasant farmers, huge displacement of peasant farmers, etc.), it's time for U.S. "free trade for the rich." Thus, democracy cosmetics and fake "concern" about all this heinous criminality are in order.

And if all that bloodshed wasn't "lesson" enough for Colombia and the region, there is the big U.S. military buildup in Colombia and the region, to enforce "free trade for the rich" with our bully war machine. Oh, and Honduras.

God knows I would like to see peace in Colombia's 40+ year civil war. And maybe--maybe!--we're looking at a "Nixon Goes to China" maneuver. (Former Defense Minister Santos negotiates peace--for a conflict that is the Colombian fascists' gravy train?) Naw, I don't think that is what has been designed here. I think we have a Pentagon war plan that is on hold until the economic war against the left in Latin America is in place ("free trade for the rich" U.S./Colombia agreement gets through the U.S. Congress), and/or until Obama can be Diebolded out of office and another rightwing Thug government put in place in Washington, in 2012. I don't trust Santos. And I certainly don't trust Hillary Clinton after Honduras.

I'm sure that Senator Cordoba knows all this. She is one smart and courageous woman! And any opening for peace, and for relief for the poor from state terror and vast injustice, must be taken, however insincere or treacherous it may be. I just don't want us to be fooled by U.S. intentions in this client state. Colombia is the wedge by which the U.S. hopes to defeat the leftist democracy movement that has swept Latin America.