INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - DECEMBER 10TH
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was approved by the UN General Assembly in 1948. Yet 56 years later, and despite the ratification by Colombia of all the International Covenants that followed the UDHR, the Colombian people continue to suffer gross violations of their civil and political rights, but also of economic, social and cultural rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was approved by the UN General Assembly in 1948. Yet 56 years later, and despite the ratification by Colombia of all the International Covenants that followed the UDHR, the Colombian people continue to suffer gross violations of their civil and political rights, but also of economic, social and cultural rights.
In the context of war that the country endures, the state’s repressive policies and impunity for right-wing paramilitary groups fuels further violations. President Uribe has opted for war and blocked the path to peace.
All principal articles of the UDHR are violated. Here are some examples:
· Article 2: everyone is entitled to rights without distinctions - indigenous peoples such as the U’wa, Wayuu, Kankuamo and the Embera Katios are being discriminated against on the basis of their ethnicity and their struggle for autonomy, culture and land.
· Article 3: the right to life, liberty and security of person - is not being observed, as shown by the assassinations of trade unionists, social leaders and even students by paramilitary groups, often with the complicity of the state forces. These rights are further threatened by the US military intervention programme Plan Colombia.
· Article 7: All are equal before the law and entitled to its protection –under Uribe, the state has blurred the distinction between armed combatants and the civilian population. The victims of state sponsored paramilitary violence are unprotected, yet the authors of blood crimes and harassment of the population go free, especially when members of the armed forces (Army and police) are involved.
Come to the picket 6pm - 8pm Friday 10th December 2004 in Whitehall, opposite Downing Street
End Human Rights Violations in Colombia
No Military Support for Uribe Regime
All principal articles of the UDHR are violated. Here are some examples:
· Article 2: everyone is entitled to rights without distinctions - indigenous peoples such as the U’wa, Wayuu, Kankuamo and the Embera Katios are being discriminated against on the basis of their ethnicity and their struggle for autonomy, culture and land.
· Article 3: the right to life, liberty and security of person - is not being observed, as shown by the assassinations of trade unionists, social leaders and even students by paramilitary groups, often with the complicity of the state forces. These rights are further threatened by the US military intervention programme Plan Colombia.
· Article 7: All are equal before the law and entitled to its protection –under Uribe, the state has blurred the distinction between armed combatants and the civilian population. The victims of state sponsored paramilitary violence are unprotected, yet the authors of blood crimes and harassment of the population go free, especially when members of the armed forces (Army and police) are involved.
Come to the picket 6pm - 8pm Friday 10th December 2004 in Whitehall, opposite Downing Street
End Human Rights Violations in Colombia
No Military Support for Uribe Regime
e-mail:
Homepage:
