Colombia: urgent action needed
internationalist | 05.03.2002 17:53
GILBERTO TORRES STILL IN GRAVE DANGER AT THE HANDS OF PARAMILITARIES
Since his kidnap by paramilitaries on 25 February, thirty-eight-year-old regional union leader GILBERTO TORRES has been in acute danger. The oilworkers union USO has been on strike demanding his release, stopping production ar Neiva, Apiay, Barrancabermeja and Cartagena.
On 4 March 'El Tiempo' newspaper carried a report that the paramilitary group calling itself Casanare Peasant Self-Defence is holding GILBERTO TORRES near Monterrey in Casanare. According to paramilitary commander 'Rubén', GILBERTO was kidnapped because he is, supposedly, an auxiliary of the guerrillas.
But the real reason is that the union has been an outspoken campaigner against the handover of Colombia's natural resources to the multinationals, and against privatisations including of Ecopetrol the state oil corporation.
Eighty-four USO members have been assassinated since 1988. The targeting of USO leaders by the paramilitaries occurs alongside the attempt by state authorities to criminalise the union. Five union leaders currently live under house arrest.
GILBERTO's abduction follows the same pattern as the kidnap, torture and execution of AURY SARÁ MARRUGO, USO leader in Cartagena last December.
WE CALL FOR THE MOST URGENT PROTEST ACTIVITY TO SAVE THE LIFE OF GILBERTO TORRES!
EMERGENCY PICKET COLOMBIAN EMBASSY LONDON:
4pm - 6pm Friday 8th March
FREE GILBERTO TORRES! HANDS OFF USO!
NO MORE IMPUNITY! DISBAND THE PARAMILITARIES!
Colombian Embassy, 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1
(back of Harrods, nearest tube Knightsbridge)
ALSO PLEASE SEND PROTEST MESSAGES TO:
ANDRÉS PASTRANA ARANGO
Presidente de la República,
Presidencia de la República
Carrera 8 No. 7-26 Palacio de Nariño,
Santa Fe de Bogotá
Teléfono. +57.1.5629300 ext. 3550 (571) 284 33 00
Fax +(57)1 - 286 74 34 - 286, 68 42 -284 21 86
Mailto:
rdh@presidencia.gov.co
AND TO:
VICTOR RICARDO,
Ambassador to the UK,
Embassy of the Republic of Colombia
Flat 3A, 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 9177. Fax: (020) 7581 1829.
E-mail: mail@colombianembassy.co.uk
[please copy protest messages to: colombia_sc@hotmail.com]
Since his kidnap by paramilitaries on 25 February, thirty-eight-year-old regional union leader GILBERTO TORRES has been in acute danger. The oilworkers union USO has been on strike demanding his release, stopping production ar Neiva, Apiay, Barrancabermeja and Cartagena.
On 4 March 'El Tiempo' newspaper carried a report that the paramilitary group calling itself Casanare Peasant Self-Defence is holding GILBERTO TORRES near Monterrey in Casanare. According to paramilitary commander 'Rubén', GILBERTO was kidnapped because he is, supposedly, an auxiliary of the guerrillas.
But the real reason is that the union has been an outspoken campaigner against the handover of Colombia's natural resources to the multinationals, and against privatisations including of Ecopetrol the state oil corporation.
Eighty-four USO members have been assassinated since 1988. The targeting of USO leaders by the paramilitaries occurs alongside the attempt by state authorities to criminalise the union. Five union leaders currently live under house arrest.
GILBERTO's abduction follows the same pattern as the kidnap, torture and execution of AURY SARÁ MARRUGO, USO leader in Cartagena last December.
WE CALL FOR THE MOST URGENT PROTEST ACTIVITY TO SAVE THE LIFE OF GILBERTO TORRES!
EMERGENCY PICKET COLOMBIAN EMBASSY LONDON:
4pm - 6pm Friday 8th March
FREE GILBERTO TORRES! HANDS OFF USO!
NO MORE IMPUNITY! DISBAND THE PARAMILITARIES!
Colombian Embassy, 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1
(back of Harrods, nearest tube Knightsbridge)
ALSO PLEASE SEND PROTEST MESSAGES TO:
ANDRÉS PASTRANA ARANGO
Presidente de la República,
Presidencia de la República
Carrera 8 No. 7-26 Palacio de Nariño,
Santa Fe de Bogotá
Teléfono. +57.1.5629300 ext. 3550 (571) 284 33 00
Fax +(57)1 - 286 74 34 - 286, 68 42 -284 21 86
Mailto:
rdh@presidencia.gov.co AND TO:
VICTOR RICARDO,
Ambassador to the UK,
Embassy of the Republic of Colombia
Flat 3A, 3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 9177. Fax: (020) 7581 1829.
E-mail:
mail@colombianembassy.co.uk [please copy protest messages to:
colombia_sc@hotmail.com]
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