Campaign "Freedom for Colombian unionist Liliana Obando"

Update 1: Monday 18 August 2008

Already numerous letters have been sent to the Colombian government protesting against the arrest and detention of Colombian trade unionist Liliana Obando. PEACE & JUSTICE FOR COLOMBIA, (PJFC) have contacted SIGTUR seeking the support of unionists in the global south to participate in the campaign to free her and highlight the plight of political prisoners in Columbia and the repression of unions and unionists in that country.

We can all support the campaign to free Liliana by signing the online statement found in the weblink below.

Recently Liliana Obando was arrested in her home in front of her distraught mother and her two young children by a special wing of the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the Colombian National Police and the Criminal Investigation Directorate (DINJIN).

PJFC advises SIGTUR that they have been in contact with Liliana's legal team and her family and spoke yesterday with her 13 year old son who is emotionally affected by the detention of his mother and upset about the lies the Colombian media are spreading about her. The police confiscated the computer he uses for his studies. PJFC have reassured him that the accusations are based on lies and for that people from around the world are demanding that the Columbian government free her.

Liliana is a recognized sociologist of the Columbian National University and a Human rights defender who worked for their FENSUAGRO as a Coordinator of Human Rights Projects and who they regarded as an honest person, responsible and very hard working; as well she participated in several international events with the endorsement of the federation (See attachment for the full statement)".

As PJFC asserted in its statement of 13 August, the accusations and charges against Liliana Obando are based on lies and the Colombian government is again using the media to not only discredit unionists, but to mislead the national and international community.

As our unionist brothers and sisters in Canada have stated "Liliana was one of Fensuagro's most important contacts with social movements, religious institutions, human rights groups, academics, and unions outside Colombia" and this is the only reason she is being targeted by the regime. "In silencing her activities, the state hopes to squash the rise in awareness of the violations being committed against trade unionism, peace and community activists, the poor and workers in Colombia and to discourage trade unions around the world from supporting the struggle for peace and social justice and from expressing their solidarity with their Colombian people".

SIGTUR participants are asked to express solidarity with Fensuagro against the new campaign of intimidation and harassment in Columbia. Trade unions, social and political organisations and peace loving peoples in Australia and around the world are encouraged to keep demanding that the Colombian government release Liliana Obando and that the persecution, kidnapping and assassination of members and affiliates of Fensuagro must be stopped.

PJFC has also condemned the murder of Manuel Gamboa, Vice-President of the Peasants Association for the Defence of the Putumayo (ASCAP), a Fensuagro's affiliated union.