This month’s newsletter includes good news regarding the release on bail of a Venezuelan journalist, an urgent action for Colombia,  two regarding Venezuela  and a petition regarding the response to Covid-19. The Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on human rights is discussed in relation to several countries. In Colombia, the killings of human rights defenders and social leaders is on the rise, while the displacement of indigenous peoples and the lack of basic services for them is a major concern. There are also reports on indigenous people in Brazil, the effects of a cap on public expenditure and allegations that the Brazilian President is interfering in the Marielle Franco case. In Venezuela, attacks on opposition members are reported plus news about an addition to the Individuals at Risk portfolio. We report on prison riots in Peru and the findings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the arbitrary detention and rape of a transgender woman. We  also report on developments in Ecuador, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.

COLOMBIA

Amnesty International has issued an  Urgent Action   asking for protection for the human rights defender Jani Silva. On 17 April, Jani Silva heard 6 gunshots at less than 30 metres from her residence in Putumayo (South West), Colombia. On 22 April, she heard again three gun shots at less than 50 meters from her residence and noise from the movement of people and a motorcycle around her house. These two incidents occurred after a confidential source provided information to the Inter-Church Commission for Truth and Peace in late March about an ongoing plan to kill Jani Silva. We are urging the Ministry of Interior to provide appropriate protection for her.

Colombia has reported 5,949 cases of coronavirus and 269 deaths,   a very low proportion of its 46 million people. By taking confinement measures early, the outbreak has been contained at a low level, at least for the moment. However, the first cases of infection among indigenous communities have been identified, which is a major concern as it is believed indigenous communities are particularly at risk.

In a  press release  Amnesty International calls for the authorities to ‘urgently take appropriate measures to guarantee the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including their rights to health, water and food’.  While indigenous communities have followed the strict lockdown measures imposed from 25 March, rural indigenous communities in the departments of Casanare, Vichada and Meta informed Amnesty International that they have received no support from government authorities.  Unable to access their sources of food, they face starvation. The level of risk is also a concern for indigenous peoples living in settlements on the outskirts of towns and cities, as they have no way of growing their food and survive by working in informal jobs, which they are currently unable to do. Many of these communities do not have access to clean water or hygiene products, making personal cleanliness to prevent COVID-19 infection impossible.

The UN Verification Mission in Colombia  reported   that it had received 56 complaints of the killing of social leaders and human rights defenders between 1 January and 24 March, of which 4 had been verified. ‘Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities continue to be affected by pervasive violence, including attacks, mass displacements, confinement and recruitment of children, in several departments, in particular Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Antioquia.’

23 April Amnesty International adds, ‘Since President Iván Duque declared a national quarantine on March 24, at least 14 people who defend human rights and social leaders have been killed, 3 of them while they complied with the quarantine in their homes. Additionally, the State protection protocols for human rights defenders have been reduced. Amnesty International has received information that the National Protection Unit (UNP) has reduced the number of escorts of at least two defenders and ceased their night patrols. Both defenders fear attacks from armed groups that have threatened them because of their work in defence of human rights.’

Fighting between three armed groups, the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Gaitanista Self-Defence Groups (AGC) and FARC dissidents, triggered most of the 139,000 conflict displacements recorded in 2019. ‘The figure is a small decrease from the 145,000 recorded in 2018, but a sign that insecurity remains high,’ according to the  Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre . 393 people were forcibly displaced in Chocó between 1 and 15 April and another 969 people remained in forced confinement due to clashes between these armed groups. [Read more…]

Welcome to the latest newsletter. The next meeting isn’t happening! As you would expect, for the first time since the group founded in 1986 we won’t be having a meeting in April. Unfortunately Amnesty’s work cannot be suspended. Worldwide there are concerns about measures being introduced quickly, and with limited scrutiny, becoming permanent. And vulnerable, displaced people having limited access to healthcare should they succumb to COVID19. So we’re afraid this isn’t going to be an uplifting read! But it is positive, as it does have several links to take action and opportunities to learn more.

Coronavirus and Human Rights Its worth visiting AIUK’s page with various links relating to the Coronavirus – varying from an update on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to 6 things you can do whilst staying at home. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/coronavirus

South America Newsletter April 2020 The photograph above shows a rudimentary health centre in Vila Nova village in Amazonas state, Brazil. It’s typical of remote medical facilities that serve indigenous communities. It lacks equipment and medicine needed to combat Covid-19. The April edition of the South America newsletter is now on the blog. Amongst the  updates and actions from around the region is a report on a meeting Amnesty Brazil had with the Governor and Attorney General of Rio de Janeiro. This coincided with the second anniversary of the murder of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes. https://amnestyat50.co.uk/south-america-newsletter-april-2020

Take Action This is a reminder that we do have a Take Action page on our blog. This has links to Amnesty International sites around the world and their current actions (most of which we can take part in – usually online). There is also a summary of our case file. Marielle Franco and letters you can download, edit and send. https://amnestyat50.co.uk/letters

Punishing Compassion While the world is facing the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, the risks for refugees in the Greek islands are multiplying by the hour. Thousands of older people, people with chronic diseases, children, pregnant women, new mothers and people with disabilities are trapped there in dangerously overcrowded conditions. Now, they also face the threat of the COVID 19 pandemic, the consequences of which would be catastrophic for those confined in camps. There is a petition calling on the Greek Government to do more to protect refugees from COVID-19 https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/greece-refugees-coronavirus-covid-19/ Last month Amnesty International published a report Punishing Compassion, which as well as summarizing what is happening, gives a stark overview on the EU’s policy on refugees and human rights defenders https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/EUR0118282020ENGLISH.PDF

As ever, with any queries do reply to this newsletter or use the contact link on the blog. Very best wishes from us all.

This month we cover the impact of Covid-19 on human rights in the region as well as more general human rights news. Amnesty has issued the human rights responsibilities for state response to Covid-19 for the Americas. This includes a paper which sets out four things governments should do and four things they should not. States should:

• Not discriminate
• Not leave behind high-risk groups
• Not use repression or excessive force in enforcing public health measures.
• Not censor or limit access to evidence-based information or prevention

States should:

• Guarantee workers’ rights and social security
• Guarantee access to adequate water, sanitation and health for all
• Ensure a gender-focused response to the pandemic
• Protect people’s rights to privacy

We also have 2 Urgent Actions for Venezuela, a petition for Peru and Amnesty statements on recent events in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil.

VENEZUELA

Venezuelan National Assembly opposition members and those near them continue to suffer attacks. Representative Ismael Léon was detained from 21 – 23 January 2020 then conditionally released. In this Urgent Action, you can call on President Maduro to put an immediate stop to this repression. Any letters should be addressed to the Venezuelan Ambassador in London as there is still no postal service in or with Venezuela.

On 21 March 2020, journalist Darvinson Rojas was arrested by the Special Action Forces (FAES) of the National Police in an apparent attempt to silence his reporting on the spread of COVID-19 in Venezuela. Darvinson is in the custody of FAES custody, who have an appalling record of committing grave human rights violations. In this Urgent Action, you can demand his immediate and unconditional release.

This article from Human Rights Watch questions how the country’s collapsing health system will cope with the COVID-19 outbreak and the consequences for Venezuelans’ right to health and for the rest of Latin America. [Read more…]

Welcome to the latest newsletter. Happy International Women’s Day. Sadly, all over the world, activists are being imprisoned, tortured and even killed just because they’re women. More on this below. Our next meeting  is on Thursday 12th March, 7.30pm  at Moordown Community Centre. On the agenda  –  Review of campaigns and letter writing. Its also our AGM – don’t let that put you off, its mainly a brief review of 2019.

Ted Stevens Last month many of our group attended the funeral of our long time chairman Ted Steves. Alongside his wife May, who died a year ago, they were among the founder members of the group in 1986. For many years Ted and May were the mainstay of the group and its activities. There will be a fuller tribute to Ted appearing on the blog later this week. We will also discuss how the group can mark the work of May and Ted at our meeting on Thursday.

Marielle Franco – Message from her family Last months newsletter featured our case file Marielle Franco. Next Saturday marks the 2nd anniversary or the murder of Marielle and her driver Anderson Gomes. Amnesty Brazil have released a video from Marielles family thanking everyone for their support in the campaign to get justice for Marielle. In the video you hear from Antônio and Marinete (her parents), Anielle (sister), Luyara (daughter) and Mônica (partner).  More than 30.000 thousand letters of support from around the world have been delivered to the family of Marielle Franco; she featured in Write 4 Rights 2018 and many groups and individuals have continued to campaign. https://amnestyat50.co.uk/marielle-franco-message-from-her-family

[Read more…]

This report includes an urgent action regarding Ecuador, an online petition regarding  Venezuelan refugees in Peru, a forthcoming event  regarding Chile and the  petition signatures obtained regarding Ecuador and Argentina.  There is  an introduction to an AI annual report for the Americas and continuing concerns regarding Venezuela, including the prevention of a visit of a delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and abuses by armed groups. There are opportunities to meet a human rights defender (HRD) from Venezuela.  Concerns for the safety of refugees in Peru, an event in London regarding Chile and the delivery of a petition regarding Ecuador are also covered. The Colombia section contains continuing  concerns  regarding HRDs, violence and  refugees; and Richard’s meeting with the ambassador. The problems faced by journalists in Brazil and regionally, the forthcoming actions  regarding the killing of Brazilian HRD Marielle Franco, the killing of a possible suspect/witness in this case and proposed legislation affecting indigenous rights are discussed.

COLOMBIA

The IDC Monitoring Centre reports that 5,400 people have been forcibly displaced by armed groups in three different departments in the 17 days ending 5 February.

The UN Office for human rights said it was “deeply troubled by the staggering number of human rights defenders (HRDs) killed in Colombia” last year. It noted that at least 107 HRDs were killed in 2019. ‘The vast majority of last year’s killings happened in rural areas, 98 per cent of which occurred in municipalities with black market economies, and where criminal groups or armed groups hold sway.’

Armed groups include various paramilitary groups, the ELN (National Liberation Army), ELP (Popular Liberation Army), dissident FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and organised crime. They are mainly fighting over the cultivation of coca, the laboratories where it is processed into cocaine and the shipment routes to the coast from where it is exported. Since the end of aerial spraying in 2015, land under coca cultivation doubled to 200,000 hectares in 2018. The huge income from the cocaine trade feeds corruption, undermining legal, political and security institutions.

According to the Colombian ambassador (who Richard met recently), the cultivation of coca is almost entirely in areas that lack infrastructure. The long-term plan is to build infrastructure, which would also greatly benefit rural communities, as it has in Peru. In the meantime the government has decided to return to aerial spraying (subject to restraints set out by the Constitutional Court) while continuing with crop substitution. However, aerial fumigation comes with its own problems – cost effectiveness, health risks, damage to other crops, environmental damage all discussed by WOLA (Washington Office on Latin America). It concludes, ‘There is ultimately no substitute for a comprehensive effort to bring the state into ungoverned territories.’

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 3,000 Venezuelans arrive every day in Colombia and Colombia currently hosts 1.63 million. A study by the Brookings Institution estimates this could increase to 2.8 million by the end of 2020. A recent article in the Financial Times looks at the consequences for the stability of Colombia.

Amnesty International is planning to launch a new report on Territorial, Land and Environmental Rights Defenders at the end of May.

ARGENTINA

Over 200,000 people signed Amnesty’s petition asking Congress to decriminalise abortion. Thanks to all of you who signed it! [Read more…]