| International Human Rights Group Records Stolen in Colombia June 4, 2007 According to people who live in the same building as FOR, unknown persons forcibly entered the FOR house/office in Bogotá between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 2, breaking the lock and part of the door. The individuals stole FOR’s two central computers that contain the organization’s records, including information on the accompaniment of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó. This community has been the target of attacks by armed groups and is covered by protective measures issued by the Inter-American Court for Human Rights. Recently, FOR has worked on delicate issues such as the May 13th murder of a member and ex-leader of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Francisco Puerta; the use of demobilized combatants in army operations; and the presence of and threats by paramilitaries in the San José de Apartadó district. Additionally, given the documented collaboration between Colombian military and civilian officials at the highest levels and paramilitaries, FOR has led efforts to end United States military aid to the Colombian army, and has been active in opposing the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Colombia. The individuals destroyed electronic equipment, including part of a satellite phone, and stole clothing and cash; but took out and did not steal a credit card and passport of an FOR team member as well as a television and other items of value that were in plain sight. In the days before the break-in, individuals had been observed watching the house on several occasions. This incident constitutes a serious violation against an international human rights organization that gives protective unarmed accompaniment to threatened Colombians. The violation occurs in the context of threats against other human rights organizations working in Colombia, such as the Corporation for Juridical Liberty, which resulted in an urgent action alert issued by Amnesty International. Such a climate of intolerance is reflected in statements issued by Vice-President Francisco Santos at the Council of the Americas during his recent visit to Washington. According to the daily newspaper El Tiempo (May 25, 2007), the vice-president accused human rights organizations of being motivated by purely economic interests. The organizations refuse to recognize the Uribe administration’s efforts “perhaps because if they do the donor will withdraw large amounts of money. This is a business too and they would be without a job,” Santos said. FOR continues its work of accompaniment of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, the Antioquia Peasant Association, the Youth Network of Medellín, and other Colombian groups that work for justice and peace using nonviolent means.
Please direct your messages to: Colombian Ambassador to the United States: Media Inquiries -- Please Contact: FOR Colombia Program: Susana Pimiento-Chamorro, 415-495-6334, forcolombia@igc.org, cell 510-717-7773 FOR Communications: Ethan Vesely-Flad, 845-358-4601 ext. 42, editor@forusa.org, cell 510-701-5267
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