 
Letter to Colombian President-Elect Álvaro Uribe Vélez
concern about the life of Francisco Ramirez
1 November 2004
Señor Presidente Álvaro Uribe Vélez
Presidente de la República
Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 No.7-26
Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: 011- 57 1 342 0592
Dear President Uribe,
I am writing to you on behalf of KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice
Initiatives, a coalition of 11 churches and church-based organizations
in Canada with longstanding relationships with partners in Colombia.
We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Colombia with
extreme concern. We write at this time to express alarm about recent
threats to the safety of Francisco Ramirez, Ludivia Giraldo, and
the other members of the mineworkers union, SINTRAMINERCOL, an important
partner of the Canadian churches.
Reliable sources tell us that trade union leader Francisco Ramirez
Cuellar has escaped another suspected attempt to kill him, and that
his colleague Ludivia Giraldo has been followed, raising fears of
an attempt on her life. Both people work for SINTRAMINERCOL.
Francisco Ramirez is an extremely important contact for the churches
in Canada. In a recent mission to Colombia (October 2004), KAIROS
staff met with him and discussed the ongoing attacks against human
rights defenders, the increase in threats against members of SINTRAMINERCOL,
and the ways that Canadian churches can continue to monitor the
situation and accompany people under threat.
In May 2004 KAIROS wrote another letter to the Colombian government
and the Canadian Embassy after two explosive devices were detonated
in a building belonging to Minerol, where the headquarters of SINTRAMINERCOL
are located. We expressed concern at that time about the increasing
number of threats against Francisco Ramirez and other members of
the union. It is clear that the situation has not improved; to the
contrary, it is getting worse.
We are writing to urge the Colombian government once again to ensure
that all appropriate measures are taken to protect Francisco Ramirez
and Ludivia Giraldo, including adequately resourcing the Ministry
of Interior's protection program for trade unionists.
At the same time, we call for full and impartial investigations
into the threats and the apparent attempt on October 10th, 2004,
on Francisco Ramirez's life. The results of this inquiry must be
made public and those responsible brought to justice.
We urge you to respond quickly and decisively to this request,
and we anxiously await your response.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Corkery
Executive Director
| Cc |
Sr. Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, Ministro del
Interior y de Justicia
Fax: + 57 1 560 4630 |
| |
His Excellency Jorge Visbal Martelo, Ambassador for Colombia
Fax: (613) 230-4416;
embajador
|
| |
Dr. Luis Camilo Osorio, Fiscal General de la Nacion
Fax: + 57 1 570 2022 / 2000 (extension 2017);
contacto
|
| |
Jean Marc Duval, Canadian Ambassador in Colombia
Fax: +57 1 657-9910;
Jean-Marc.Duval
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