Another eventful month, with calls from Amnesty and others for a response to the human rights violations committed during the anti-government protests in Colombia, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.  In addition, Amnesty has issued a major report on illegal cattle ranching in the Brazilian Amazon.  There are three new Urgent Actions, two on Colombia and one on Venezuela, and a new petition calling for justice for the murder of Marielle Franco.

COLOMBIA

A nation-wide strike called by disparate social groups protesting social injustices, the faltering peace process, violations of human and environmental rights as well as possible austerity measures by the government of President Duque was met ‘with excessive, disproportionate and unnecessary use of force and arbitrary detentions’, according to Amnesty International. ‘Days before the National Strike, the government already began a campaign to intimidate and frighten those who were planning a peaceful march in support of their rights.’

The ongoing conflict in Chocó has resulted in 2,250 people from indigenous and Afro-descendent communities living under siege from the guerrilla ELN (National Liberation Army) and the paramilitary Gaitanistas Self-Defence Force. They are denying these communities access to food and basic healthcare services and have planted mines in areas where there’s mobile phone coverage. Please respond to Amnesty’s Urgent Action here. (With copies to Mr Antonio José Ardila, Colombian Ambassador to the UK, 3 Hans Crescent London SW1X 0LN.)

The NGO dhColombia has asked the National Protection Unit (UPN) for protection following death threats, theft of sensitive information and surveillance by unknown men outside their homes and offices. To date, the UPN has not responded to their request for protection. dhColombia provides legal support to victims of human rights violations and seeks accountability from prominent military members, public forces and multinational companies. Please respond to Amnesty’s Urgent Action here. (With copies to Mr Antonio José Ardila, Colombian Ambassador to the UK, 3 Hans Crescent London SW1X 0LN.)

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reports that 4,450 people were forcibly displaced in 3 different rural areas by armed groups in the month of November. In Chocó 3,280 people were forcibly displaced by the paramilitary Gaitanistas Self-Defence Force, in Córdoba Department 225 people were forcibly displaced by FARC dissidents, while in Santander Department a further 945 people were displaced due to clashes between the ELN (National Liberation Army) guerrillas and EPL (Popular Liberation Army) guerrillas. [Read more…]

Welcome to the latest newsletter. The next meeting  is on Thursday 14th November 2019, 7.30pm  at Moordown Community Centre. On the agenda –  Quiz night, letter writing, Write 4 Rights events and other planning. This is a slightly earlier and shorter newsletter, as the day after our next meeting we have a….

This is organised for Friday November 15th, 7.30 for 8.00 prompt at the Branksome Liberal Club, 1 Salisbury Road, Upper Parkstone, BH14 0DP For those unfamiliar, our quizzes are informal but competitive!  We have a new venue, The Branksome Liberal Club, which successfully hosted our speaker event (see below). Please help planning by reserving your tickets asap via Eventbrite. As ever you pay on the night. Teams of up to 7, entrance £5 a person. If you aren’t in a team they can be adjusted/formed on the night to ensure no one’s on their own.. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/amnesty-international-bournemouth-group-quiz-night-tickets-74972090541

South America Newsletter The November edition of the South America Regional Newsletter is now on the blog. Our group has focused on South America since its inception, which is also reflected in our case files and the letters we write. It reports that there have been 4 further arrests in relation to last year’s murder of the human rights defender Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes. This is our case file – see below for more details..

[Read more…]

There has been much happening in South America this month, hence a slightly longer than usual newsletter. There is good news regarding international support for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, however, there are troubling reports of human rights abuses in Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia in response to protests. Court action to secure LGBTI rights in Paraguay is reported in addition to the political situation in Argentina. There are concerning reports, including information about killings in Brazil and Colombia, together with news of attacks on political parties in Colombia.

There are urgent actions regarding Chile, Colombia and Bolivia and petitions concerning Colombia and Brazil.

COLOMBIA

The Colombian press reports the killing by dissident FARC guerrillas of five people of the Nasa indigenous community in Cauca Department. They were killed when they tried to stop a FARC column from crossing their territory. Four were unarmed ‘Indigenous Guards’ and the fifth was the local Governor. 14 Nasa people have been killed so far this year. The UN’s Special Rapporteur stated ‘This is not an isolated event. The communities and indigenous peoples of Cauca are suffering incessant and unacceptable violence. The situation is worsening despite the repeated calls to address it. We urge the Government to take urgent measures, within the framework of compliance with the Peace Agreements, to end these deadly attacks.’

Amnesty has issued an Urgent Action on behalf of Human Rights Defender Luz Marina Arteaga, who has received death threats and has been denied protection from the National Protection Unit. You can take action here. Please send a copy to Sr. Antonio José Ardila, Colombian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN.

The UK NGO Justice for Colombia has denounced the simultaneous attacks on three political parties in the run up to regional elections in Colombia: ‘These attacks are a clear attempt to intimidate and threaten political candidates, activists and members of left-wing parties in Colombia and insinuate a return to the most extreme periods of paramilitary violence.’

In these regional elections, Claudia López became the first woman and first gay woman to be elected Mayor of Bogotá. Latin America Despatch adds, ‘A member of the Green Alliance party, López has prioritized fighting corruption, ending child labour, putting more police officers on the streets and improving educational opportunities for adults over the age of 45.’

There is still time sign Amnesty International’s petition urging President Duque to protect thousands at risk of death or displacement in the Chocó by clicking here.

CHILE

Since 18 October, thousands have taken to the streets in Chile in response to a metro fare hike in the capital, Santiago. The demonstrations have broadened to reflect people’s anger over living costs and inequality.  The President decreed a state of emergency, enabling the army to police demonstrations and impose a curfew.

The Chilean government has reported that, so far, 18 people have died in the context of the demonstrations, the state of emergency and the curfew.  According to the National Human Rights Institute (INDH), five of these fatalities were at the hands of the security forces.  The INDH has also reported that some 2,600 people have been detained and 584 injured, 245 of them by firearms, among other serious human rights violations.

Amnesty has deployed its Americas Crisis Response team to the country after receiving hundreds of complaints about serious human rights violations that range from excessive use of force to torture, illegal raids and arbitrary detention.  The team will gather testimonies and examine documents to corroborate these complaints and possible crimes under international law in order to support the victims and demand that the state guarantee their rights to justice, truth, reparation and non-repetition.  Amnesty has urged the government to listen to the population’s grievances and take practical measures in response.

Please support this Urgent Action with a message to the Chilean President. [Read more…]