38 Colombian unionists killed this year .

[Judi Lynn]

38 Colombian unionists killed this year .
Thursday, 11 November 2010 16:00 Linda Azodi .

Colombia's Confederation of Workers (CUT) on Thursday reported that the number of trade unionists who have been murdered in 2010 has risen to 38. The CUT called on President Juan Manuel Santos fulfill his promise to protect workers, stated newspaper El Espectador.

According to a CUT report, in the first three months of the Santos government four trade unionist leaders have been killed and one disappeared. Three of these murders took place in the last two weeks.

Director of the CUT's human rights department, Luis Alberto Vanegas, said that Santos "has made many promises, but trade unionists continue to be killed."

Vanegas asked for a "change in style on the part of the state" since unions are victims of a "violent anti-trade union culture of businessmen with the support of agents of the state." He said that the majority of the crimes occur due to "businessmen supported by paramilitary groups."

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/12870-trade-unionist-murders-colombia.html