Through its Human Rights Department, the United Workers Federation of Colombia, the CUT, denounces to the national and international community the serious situation of state terrorism to which the trade union leadership is submitted in Colombia. From 30th May death threats have increased against comrade Hernando Hernández Pardo, President of the Oil Industry Union USO.
Comrade Hernando Hernández has received a leaflet at his home in Bogotá, and a condolence card at his trade union office. Today the situation worsened, and his family who live in the city of Bucaramanga have been involved. Note that these threats are occurring just as the workers, in a National Assembly, agreed the carrying out of a strike against the government’s proposed pension and labour reforms.
We call for continuing solidarity with the Colombian trade union movement and for demands on the government and state oil corporation ECOPETROL that they provide guarantees to allow the free exercise of trade union activity …
Bogotá, D.C., 31 May 2002
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Send messages urging action to defend the life of Hernando Hernández to:
ANDRES PASTRANA ARANGO
Presidente de la Republica,
Carrera 8 n. 7-26 Palacio de Nariño,
Santa Fe de Bogota
Telefono. +57.1.5629300 ext. 3550 (571 ) 284 33 00
Fax (571 ) 286 74 34 – 286, 68 42 -284 21 86
Mailto: pastrana@presidencia.gov.co and rdh@presidencia.gov.co
With copies to:
CUT Departmento Derechos Humanos Email: cutcol@col3.telecom.com.co
and Colombia Solidarity Campaign Email: campaign@colombiasolidarity.uk
