Interim Report - REPORT_NO329, November 2002

CASE_NUMBER 1787 (Colombia) - COMPLAINT_DATE: 28-JUN-94 - Follow-up

Allegations: The complainants allege murders, abductions, physical assaults, death threats, and other acts of violence against trade union officials and members; the complainants also allege failure by the Government to adopt the measures needed to put an end to the serious situation of impunity.

1. 357. The Committee last examined this case during its meeting in June 2002 [see 328th Report, paras. 84-124]. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) sent new allegations in communications dated 26 April, 8 May, 6 and 13 June, 4 and 10 July, and 6 and 29 August and 30 September 2002, as did the World Federation of Trade Unions in communications dated 17 April, 8 and 14 May, 26 June, 1 and 18 July, and 7, 19 and 23 August 2002, and the Cali Union of Municipal Enterprise Workers (SINTRAEMCALI) in a communication dated 12 June 2002.
2. 358. The Government sent its observations in communications dated 5 and 6 June, 18 July and 13 September 2002.
3. 359. Colombia has ratified the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

A. Previous examination of the case

1. 360. In its June 2002 meeting, the Committee made the following recommendations on the allegations that were still pending which, for the most part, referred to acts of violence against trade union members and acts of anti-union discrimination [see 328th Report, para. 124]:
   • (a) The Committee expresses its deep concern at the worsening of the situation of violence against trade union leaders and members and emphasizes that freedom of association can only be exercised in conditions in which fundamental rights, and in particular those relating to human life and personal safety, are fully respected and guaranteed.
   • (b) The Committee urges the Government to continue to send its observations on progress in investigations already begun (Annex II) and to take steps promptly to begin investigations into the murders, abductions, disappearances, attempted murders and death threats reported in Annex I and those mentioned in the section “new allegations” of this report.
   • (c) The Committee requests the complainants to formulate comments on the Government’s statements that certain murdered persons were allegedly not members of trade unions and, if applicable, provide further information.
   • (d) The Committee once again in the strongest terms urges the Government to take the necessary steps to end the intolerable situation of impunity and to punish those responsible for the numerous acts of violence and to achieve provable results in disbanding the paramilitary and other violent revolutionary groups.
   • (e) The Committee requests the Government to provide clear information about the programme of protection for 2002 and expresses the firm hope that this protection will be extended to all workers who are members and officials of trade unions whose personal safety is threatened, including members of ASODEFENSA.
   • (f) The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to carry out an unrestricted assessment of the risk run by threatened trade unionists and to provide adequate protection measures.
   • (g) The Committee requests the Government to take steps to send a new consolidated list prepared by the Sub-Committee on the Unification of the List of Victims for the period 1991-2002.
   • (h) The Committee once again recalls that it would be advisable to deal specifically with situations in which violence against trade union members is very intensive – for example in the sectors including education, the petroleum industry, the health services as well as municipal and departmental administrations. Such information should also refer to regions where acts of violence occur most frequently, such as the departments of Valle del Cauca and Antioquia and the municipality of Barrancabermeja, especially in the Empresa de Petróleo de Colombia and the Empresa de Gas de Barrancabermeja. The Committee also requests the Government to send all the information available to it which could help better to combat impunity and examine the causes of the acts of violence against trade union members. The Committee once again reminds the Government of its responsibility for the protection of workers against acts of violence and finally for a proper factual and analytical assessment of each and every crime committed. The Committee again suggests that the complainants and the Government seek technical assistance from the Office for this assessment.

B. New allegations

• Murders
  1. (1) Luis Miguel Rubio Espinel, member of the North Santander Teachers’ Trade Union Association (ASINORTH), on 15 July 2001;
  2. (2) Carmenza Pungo, member of the National Association of Workers and Employees in Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries and Community Health Units (ANTHOC), on 2 September 2001, on the banks of the River Piedra;
  3. (3) Sandra Liliana Quintero, member of the National Association of Workers and Employees in Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries and Community Health Units ANTHOC-CUT, on 16 March 2002, in the Department of Cundinamarca;
  4. (4) Gustavo Oyuela Rodríguez, member of the Nariño Teachers’ Union SIMANA FECODE, on 19 March 2002, in the Department of Nariño;
  5. (5) Efraín Urrea Marín, member of the National Association of Workers and Employees in Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries and Community Health Units ANTHOC-CUT, on 21 March 2002, in San Carlos;
  6. (6) María Nubia Castro, member of ANTHOC-CUT, on 21 March 2002, in San Carlos;
  7. (7) Eddy Socorro Leal Barrera, member of the North Santander Teachers’ Trade Union Association (ASINORTH), on 31 March 2002, in Salazar;
  8. (8) Nelsy Gabriela Cuesta Córdoba, abducted on 4 April 2002, in Yondo;
  9. (9) Heliodoro Sierra, member of the Single Union of Education Workers of Quindío (SUTEQ), on 7 April 2002, in the Department of Quindío;
  10. (10) Freddy Armando Girón Burbano, activist in the Cauca Teachers’ Association (ASOINCA-CUT), on 7 April 2002;
  11. (11) Diofanol Sierra Vargas, official of the Food Industry Workers’ Trade Union (SINTRAINAL-CUT), on 8 April 2002, in Barrancabermeja;
  12. (12) Jhon Jairo Durán, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL JUDICIAL-CUT), on 13 April 2001, in Nariño, at the hands of guerrillas;
  13. (13) Tito Libio Hernández Ordóñez, President of the Pasto Subcommittee of the Union of University Workers and Employees of Colombia (SINTRAUNICOL), on 16 April 2002, in the city of Pasto, Department of Nariño;
  14. (14) Javier de Jesús Restrepo, member of ASONAL JUDICIAL-CUT, on 16 April 2002, in Puerto Rico, Department of Florencia;
  15. (15) Said Ballona Gutiérrez, member of the North Santander Teachers’ Trade Union Association (ASINORTH), on 18 April 2002, in Tarra, Department of North Santander;
  16. (16) Jhon Fredy Marín, President of the Curillo section of the National Association of Workers and Employees in Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries and Community Health Units (ANTHOC), on 18 April 2002, in Curillo, Department of Arauca;
  17. (17) Agustín Colmenares, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April 2002;
  18. (18) Alberto Martínez, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April 2002;
  19. (19) Juan Sepúlveda, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April 2002;
  20. (20) Albeiro Ledesma, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April 2002;
  21. (21) José Hurtado, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April 2002;
  22. (22) Enrique Suárez, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April;
  23. (23) Luis Enrique Guisa, official of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), in the Department of Antioquia, on 26 April 2002;
  24. (24) Ricardo Eliécer Ruiz, President of the Trade Union of Workers of Bello municipality, on 3 May 2002;
  25. (25) Edilberto Arango Isaza, member of the National Association of Workers and Employees in Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries and Community Health Units (ANTHOC-CUT), on 3 May 2002, in the Department of Antioquia;
  26. (26) Froilán Hilario Peláez Zapata, member of the CUT Executive Committee, on 6 May 2002, in the Department of Antioquia;
  27. (27) Jairo Ramos, member of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL-CUT), on 1 June 2001;
  28. (28) Adalberto Tukamoto Palomino, a SINTRAELECOL-CUT activist, on 1 June 2002, in the Department of Meta;
  29. (29) Isaías Gómez Jaramillo, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA?CUT), on 1 June 2002, in the Department of Meta;
  30. (30) Hernán de Jesús Ortiz, a member of the National Board of the Single Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CUT) and official of the Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE), on 4 June 2002;
  31. (31) Eduardo Vasques Jiménez, member of ADIDA-CUT, on 4 June 2002, in the Department of Magdalena;
  32. (32) Jhon Jairo Alvarez Cardona, member of the National Board of SINTRATEXTIL-CUT, on 5 June 2002, in the municipality of Rionegro;
  33. (33) César Blanco, official of the Bucaramanga section of the USO, in June 2002, in Bucaramanga;
  34. (34) Carlos Julio Gómez, official of the Municipal Association of the La Plata Commune Action Committee, on 12 June 2002, in La Plata;
  35. (35) Luis Enrique Coiran, President of the Tame section of ANTHOC, on 19 June 2002, in Tame;
  36. (36) Helio Rodríguez Ruiz, official of the National Trade Union of Workers in the Catering, Hotel and Allied Occupations (HOCAR-CUT), on 20 June 2002, in Barrancabermeja;
  37. (37) Manuel Antonio Fuertes Arévalo, former Vice-President of the Tuquerres subcommittee of SINTRAELECOL-CUT, on 29 June 2002, in the Department of Nariño;
  38. (38) José González Barros, activist of the Trade Union of Official Workers and Public Employees of the municipality of Sabanagrande (SINTRAOPUSA-CUT), on 2 July 2002, in the municipality of Sabanagrande;
  39. (39) Roberto Rojas Pinzón, member of ANTHOC-CUT, on 26 July 2002, in the Department of Arauca;
  40. (40) Wilfredo Camargo Aroca, member of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), on 31 July 2002, in Puerto Wilches, Department of Santander;
  41. (41) Rodrigo Gamboa Coy, President of the César subcommittee of the Incora Workers’ Union (SINTRADIN-CUT), on 31 July 2002, in Valledupar in the Department of César;
  42. (42) Felipe Santiago Mendoza, member of USO, on 15 August 2002, in the Department of Santander;
  43. (43) Amparo Figueroa, member of ANTHOC-CUT, on 15 August 2002, in the Department of Cauca;
  44. (44) Francisco Méndez Díaz, member of the Sucre Teachers’ Association (ADES-FECODE-CUT), on 15 August 2002, in the Department of Sucre;
  45. (45) Blanca Ludivia Hernández, Vice-President of the National Health and Social Security Trade Union (SINDES), who was found dead on 15 August 2002 after being abducted the previous week in the Department of Quindío.
• Acts of violence
  1. (1) José Antonio González Luna, Director of the Human Rights Department of the ICFTU, who on 1 May 2002 was brutally assaulted by members of the security forces;
  2. (2) Henry Alberto Mosquera, of the Trade Union of Workers of Yumbo municipality, under circumstances similar to those described above;
  3. (3) Ricardo Valbuena, of the Trade Union of Workers of Yumbo municipality, under circumstances similar to those described above.
• Abductions and disappearances
  1. (1) José Ernesto Ricaurte, member of ANTHOC-CUT, who disappeared on 26 September 2001;
  2. (2) Jairo Domínguez, member of the Single Union of Workers in the Construction Materials Industry (SUTIMAC-CUT), on 3 July 2002;
  3. (3) Arturo Escalante Moros, member of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO), on 27 September 2001;
  4. (4) Arturo Vázquez Galeano, activist in the Trade Union of Workers and Employees of the Department of Antioquia, on 5 April 2002;
  5. (5) Miguel Angel Rendón Graciano, Vice-President of the Chocó Subcomittee of the Sena Public Employees’ Trade Union, on 6 April 2002, in the Department of Chocó;
  6. (6) attempted abduction of the daughter of William Mendoza, President of the National Trade Union of Food Industry Workers (SINALTRAINAL), which was foiled by the police;
  7. (7) Alberto Herrera, Pedro Barrios, Eleazar Becerra and Salvador Vasquez, members of SINTRAELECOL-CUT, on 4 July 2002, in Fundación, Department of Magdalena;
  8. (8) Jorge Amiro Genecco Martínez, member of ANTHOC-CUT, on 9 July 2002, in Bogotá, Department of Cundinamarca;
  9. (9) Gonzalo Ramírez Triana, activist in USO, on 30 July 2002, in the Department of Cundinamarca;
  10. (10) Alonso Pamplona, former member of the Claims Committee of the USO, who was abducted on 31 July 2002 and released on 1 August 2002, after receiving four bullet wounds, in the Department of Santander;
  11. (11) on 20 August 2002 the following 27 individuals were abducted in the Department of Chocó, including a number of retirees and workers of the Cali Municipal Trade Union: Flower Enrique Rojas, President of the Cali Trade Union of Workers (SINTRAMUNICIPIO); María del Carmen Rendón; Jair Rendón; Antonio Bejarano; Henry Salcedo; Diego Valencia; Carlos Salinas; Beatriz Orozco; Soledad Fals; Elécer Ortiz; Jaime Sánchez Ballén; Pedro Potosí; Oscar Ivan Hernández; Gerardo Machado; Néstor Naráez; Libaniel Arciniegas. All are trade union members.
• Attemped murders
  1. (1) Hebert Cuadros, member of the Valle del Cauca Single Union of Education Workers (SUTEV), on 16 November 2001;
  2. (2) Daniel Orlando Gutiérrez Ramos, coordinator of the Human Rights Department of the National Drivers’ Union of Colombia (SINDINALCH-CGTD), on 3 January 2002;
  3. (3) Sigilfredo Grueso, activist in the Cali Municipal Workers’ Union (SINTRAEMCALI), on 10 January 2002;
  4. (4) Gaspar Guzmán, member of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), on 16 April 2002;
  5. (5) Rubén Castro Quintana, President of the Bolívar Subcommittee of SINTRAELECOL;
  6. (6) Carlos Hernán Sánchez Díaz, member of the Yumbo Workers’ Trade Union who was the victim of a murder attempt on 3 May 2002 in Yumbo;
  7. (7) Antonio Zamanete, member of the Yumbo Workers’ Trade Union, who was the victim of a murder attempt on 3 May 2002 in Yumbo;
  8. (8) the national headquarters of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), on 8 July 2002 in Bogotá;
  9. (9) Omar Romero Díaz, member of the Single Union of Workers in the Construction Materials Industry (SUTIMAC-CUT), on 13 August 2002, in Cali.
• Threats
  1. (1) Against trade union officials in Yumbo;
  2. (2) Hernando Hernández Pardo;
  3. (3) Domingo Tovar Arrieta, Director of the Organization Department and Human Rights Ombudsman of the CUT;
  4. (4) Fernando Vargas, President of the Cauca Teachers’ Association (ASOINCA);
  5. (5) Patricia Pinzón, President of the Cauca Section of ANTHOC;
  6. (6) Mario de Jesús Castañeda, President of the Huila Subcommittee of the CUT;
  7. (7) Oscar Sánchez, General Secretary of the CUT Cauca Subcommittee;
  8. (8) Hermes Ortiz, Municipal Branch President of ANTHOC;
  9. (9) Francisco Bolaños, member of the San José Hospital Strike Committee;
  10. (10) Jorge Muñoz, district board official of ANTHOC;
  11. (11) the headquarters of SINTRAEMCALI;
  12. (12) the headquarters of SINTRAHOINCOL;
  13. (13) the headquarters of SINTRAOFAN.
  361. 361 In a recent communication dated 30 September 2002, the ICFTU states that on 16 September 2002 the country’s rural workers’ organizations, with the support of trade unions, organizations of human rights and other organized sectors, were mobilized on the basis of their right of peaceful protest consecrated in the Constitution. The protest was stigmatized by government members who prohibited workers’ marches during that day due to suspected infiltrations by the guerrilla. These declarations put the lives of social and trade union leaders in imminent danger. Despite such declarations, the complainant organization notes that a series of death threats had been received from the paramilitaries. On 7 September the joint paramilitary command of Colima declared that the leaders of the social mobilization in the South-West of Colombia were a military target and threatened the communities that would participate in the day of protest as being a military target. The complainant organization adds that members of the police and the national army violently attacked and arrested many people who participated in the organization of the events of 16 September. This way, between 12 and 20 September, the following trade union officials were detained: Raúl Herrera, trade union official of the SUMAPAZ region; Rubén Robles, General Secretary, departmental Union of Sugar Agricultural Workers and official of FENSUAGRO; Ana María Andera Ablanedo and Daniel Bustos Gutiérrez, international delegates of the Spanish NGO, SOLDEPAZ PACHAKUTTI; Mauricio Rubiano, Human Rights Secretary of the Youth Department of CUT (who was released without suffering ill-treatment); María Isabel Lenis, Ombudsperson, regional delegate of the Valle del Cauca branch; Otoniel Ramírez, President of the CUT, Valle del Cauca sub-executive board; Berenice Celeita, President of NOMADESC, a human rights organization; Oscar Figueroa and Angel Tovar, officials of the Cali Municipal Workers’ Union (SINTRAEMCALI).

C. Further replies of the Government

1. 362. In its communications dated 6 June, 18 July and 30 September 2002, the Government endorses the statement that “freedom of association can only be exercised in conditions in which fundamental rights, and in particular those relating to human life and personal safety, are fully respected and guaranteed”, and emphasizes that it is not only freedom of association that is affected, but work and productive activity in general. The problem of violence which has affected Colombia (harassment, murders, abductions, disappearances and displacements of persons perpetrated by illegal guerrilla groups, paramilitaries, drug traffickers and organized criminals) has always been recognized by the Government as a state of affairs that is profoundly inimical to the fundamental freedoms, and is in no way a question of a particular situation against trade unionists. The worsening in the armed conflict in Colombia, which was described previously, affects all sectors and strata of Colombian society: employers and workers, social and political leaders, clergy and lay people, private individuals and public officials.
2. 363. In the light of these facts, it must be concluded that what exists in Colombia is a serious public order problem which has a profound effect on civil life and peaceful coexistence; this is not in any way the result of government negligence, but a situation that has been going on for more than 40 years and which, as a result of recent events (the break up of peace talks with the FARC and ELN and the escalation of the conflict), is deteriorating, rather than improving.
3. 364. The Government understands that the best decision that the State can make when faced with a situation of violence linked with armed conflict is a decision to seek peace. The Government accordingly ordered the establishment of a demilitarized zone with a view to holding talks with the guerrilla chiefs of the FARC, formed its own team of negotiators, sought the support of the international community, and at the same time went ahead with talks both in Colombia and outside the country with the other guerrilla group (ELN). Despite the Government’s efforts, talks with the FARC and ELN were broken off in the first half of 2002.
4. 365. On the other hand, with regard to the specific area of freedom of association, the Government indicates that promotion of and respect for trade unionism as a basic institution of society has been and continues to be one of its guiding principles. Act No. 584 of 2000 introduced a major reform of collective labour law by bringing it into conformity with ILO Conventions Nos. 87, 98, 151 and 154. In its rulings C-797/00, C?567/00, C-201/02 and T-568/99, the Constitutional Court of Colombia declared that a number of provisions of the Substantive Labour Code, which allowed the Government to intervene in the internal affairs of trade unions, were not enforceable. Similarly, the right to take part in social protest is now also protected: in the last two years, no strike has been declared illegal. Social dialogue and consultation are part of government policy, and as a result hundreds of collective agreements have been concluded (200 in the last 12 months). Where this is not possible, arbitration tribunals can be convened at the request of the trade union organizations.
5. 366. Violations of the fundamental freedoms of trade unionists have been closely associated with the deterioration in the armed conflict, since the illegal armed groups (paramilitary and guerrilla) are the main culprits of such violations. The Government adds that it has repeatedly called for respect for trade union organizations as an element of Colombian civil society, and at the same time has strengthened the protection programmes of the Ministry of the Interior. Concern about the number of trade union officials, NGO members and journalists at high risk has prompted a significant increase in the budget for the Protection Programme, from 3,440,802,000 pesos in 1999 to 27,542,000,000 pesos for the year 2002. This has made it possible to respond to the increasing number of requests for protection, a fact reflected by the greater number of individuals protected under the Programme. That number increased from 177 in 1999 to 880 in 2000 and 2,354 in 2001, a total increase between 1999 and 2001 of 1,229 per cent. Between 2001 and 2002, there will be a further increase of 6.2 per cent, taking the total number of protected persons to 2,500.
6. 367. Protection consists of a package of soft and hard protection measures. The soft measures include the following: humanitarian assistance grants equivalent to three times the legal minimum wage for a period of up to six months; provision of means of communication, such as cellular or satellite telephones; assistance with relocation; provision of national or international airline tickets; assistance with transport costs overland or by water transport; and training in self-defence and security. Hard measures include bullet?proofing for premises and vehicles, and provision of bodyguards, means of communication and weapons.
7. 368. With regard to protection given to leaders of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO), the Ministry of the Interior, ECOPETROL and DAS on 21 March 2002 signed an inter-agency agreement with FONADE for one year. This agreement provides for the expenditure of 2.9 billion pesos, which can be increased and extended, and includes 15 separate protection schemes, as follows: for the members of the National Executive Board, one collective scheme and one individual scheme for Hernando Hernández, Hernando Meneses, Gabriel Alvis, and Jorge Gamboa; for Daniel Rico Serpa; for Julio Carrascal of the Bolívar Subcommittee; one collective scheme for the Bogotá Subcommittee; three protection schemes for the subcommittees based in Barrancabermeja; one collective protection scheme for the Puerto Salgar section of USO; one collective protection scheme for Orito and one collective protection scheme for Apiay. All these protection schemes are currently being implemented.
8. 369. At the same time, the Government, with regard to the assessment of the protection programme as recommended in the Committee’s 328th Report (para. 124(h)), states that the Ministry of the Interior, with the assistance of the ILO and the Office in Colombia of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is already carrying out such an assessment and the results will be made known to the Committee as soon as they are available.
9. 370. With regard to the problem of justice, the Colombian Government recognizes the critical situation of impunity with regard to crimes committed against trade union leaders, but points out that this situation, too, is not unique to them, but rather, symptomatic of the fragility of Colombian justice in general. However, the Attorney-General’s Office is attempting by various means to combat the activities of organized criminal groups that have created serious security problems including attempts on the lives and physical integrity of prosecutors and agents of the Technical Investigation Section (CTI). The Colombian authorities have also recently taken a crucial step in combating impunity for crimes against the civilian population perpetrated by armed groups, including crimes committed by the paramilitary groups, by signing and ratifying the treaty establishing the new International Criminal Court that will try war crimes.
10. 371. Similarly, there has been an improvement in the results of the actions carried out by the Colombian armed forces against the illegal self-defence groups, as can be seen from the comparative table (reproduced below) contained in the report submitted by the Human Rights Office of the Ministry of Defence which sets out the results of such operations during 1999, 2000 and 2001.
11. 1999 2000 2001
    • Enemy combatants: Killed, wounded 35 92 116
    • Captured 286 312 992
    • Equipment confiscated:
    • Weapons 202 441 822
    • Ammunitions 23 166 74 464 146 855
    • Communications equipment 46 129 320
    • Vehicles 69 120 199
    • Boats 1 1 8
12. 372. The Government supplies a report (reproduced below) on cases reported in 2000, 2001 and 2002 of murders, abductions, attempted murders and threats against trade unionists relating to Case No. 1787, including information on any judicial proceedings currently under way.
    • Murders 2000-02
13. (1) Arturo Alarcón. According to the 327th Report, this murder took place on 18 January 2001 in the municipality of Piendamó, Department of Cauca. The victim was a member of ASOINCA, a branch of FECODE. According to the NGO Justicia y Paz/CINEP in the edition of Noche y Niebla for the first quarter of 2001, “Eight armed men on four motorcycles … killed three individuals … [including] Arturo, a teacher in … Mondomo …”. According to the source, these murders occurred in the municipality of Santander de Quilichao, in the Department of Cauca. Arturo Alarcón is not included in the “List of teachers murdered in 2001” drawn up by the Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE). The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that “no progress is being made in the investigation of these incidents. The subunit has made inquiries at the District Prosecutor’s Office and the local unit of the Piendamó CTI, but no information is available. Information was also requested from the URI Registry, without success”.
14. (2) Rafael Atencia Miranda. According to the 327th Report, he was a member of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO) and was murdered on 18 March 2001 in the municipality of Barrancabermeja, Department of Santander. His name does not appear in the “Table of murders, woundings and disappearances of workers of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union” produced by the USO. Registered under File No. 22675 with the Attorney-General’s Office. The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Prosecutors’ Office 9 and is currently at the examination of evidence stage.
15. (3) Jairo Balvuena, who was murdered in the municipality of Buga, Department of Valle, on 10 October 2001. He was an official of the Buga section of the Trade Union of Workers and Employees in the Public Services, Agencies and Decentralized Institutions of Colombia (SINTRAEMSDES). The Attorney-General’s Office has stated that the investigation is currently at the examination of evidence stage with the Cali Human Rights Unit.
16. (4) Victor Carrillo, who according to the 327th Report was an official of SINTRAELECOL, was murdered in the municipality of Málaga, Department of Santander, on 1 March 2001 at a paramilitary roadblock. His name does not figure in the “Report on murders, harassment, disappearances, detentions, psychological terrorism and threats against trade union officials and workers in the electrical sector belonging to SINTRAELECOL” produced by that union’s National Executive Board. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that “the investigative subunit of Bucaramanga trade unionists has notified the relevant authorities with a view to the registration of the victim’s death”.
17. (5) Francisco Isaías Cifuentes, who was listed in the 327th Report as a member of ASOINCA, a branch of FECODE in Popayán. He was murdered on 26 April 2001, in the city of Popayán, Department of Cauca. Justicia y Paz/CINEP reports in the edition of Noche y Niebla for the second quarter of 2001, that “he was a member of the Cauca Teachers’ Association (ASOINCA), ... . He was behind the creation of the National Association for Solidarity Assistance (ANDAS), Cauca section ...”. According to the “List of teachers murdered in 2001”, he was murdered during incidents that occurred one Thursday night. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that it has so far been unable to establish any motives. The investigation is being conducted by the Special Prosecutor’s Office 007 under File No. 32667.
18. (6) Saúl Alberto Colpas Castro, who was listed in the 327th Report as president of the Trade Union of Agricultural Workers in the Department of Atlantico (SINTRAGRICOLAS) was murdered in the Department of Atlantico on 13 July 2001. Registered under File No. 103242. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that with the resolution of 10 September 2001 it has taken over the case and ordered the opening of a preliminary investigation and intelligence operations aimed at identifying the guilty parties.
19. (7) Julio César Díaz Quintero, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the Trade Union of Workers of the Social Security Institute (SINTRAISS). He was murdered on 16 February 2001, in the municipality of Barrancabermeja in the Department of Santander. The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Prosecutor’s Office 6 and is at the examation of evidence stage. Registered under File No. 22276.
20. (8) Alfredo Florez, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the Trade Union of Workers employed in the Production of Oils and Derivative Products (SINTRAPROCEITES). He was murdered in the municipality of Puerto Wilches, Department of Santander, on 11 February 2001. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that the trade unionists’ Investigation Subunit of Bucaramanga has notified the relevant authorities with a view to registration of the victim’s death.
21. (9) José Luis Guette Montero, who was murdered in the city of Ciénaga, Department of Magdalena, on 25 January 2001. He was president of the Magdalena section of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO). According to the National Police, a suspected paramilitary has been charged with the murder and is in detention. Registered as File No. 21292. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that a person has been held in preventive detention in connection with the case, and that evidence is being gathered with a view to shedding light on the crime and identifying the guilty parties.
22. (10) Saulo Guzmán Cruz, who according to the 327th Report was president of the Trade Union of Health Workers of Aguachica and was murdered on 11 April 2001 in the municipality of Aguachica, Department of César. The investigation is being carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office, Section 21, and is at the examination of evidence stage. Registered as File No. 8422.
23. (11) Darío Hoyos Franco, murdered in the municipality of Fusagasugá, Department of Cundinamarca, on 3 March 2001. A member of the Trade Union and Solidarity Movement in Support of the Rural Workers’ Struggles. Registered as File No. 10101. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that through a resolution of 14 March 2001, preventive detention measures have been taken against persons implicated in the crime. It adds that the deceased was a representative for Latin America in the National Federation of Miners and a member of the Urabá branch of SINTRAINAGRO. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that this murder is being investigated by the Special Agency (File No. 5872) which was established on 21 May 2001. Special Agent: P251 JP1.
24. (12) Cervando Lerma Guevara, who according to the 327th Report was a member and prominent activist in the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO). He was murdered on 10 October 2001 in the municipality of Barrancabermeja, Department of Santander. The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Prosecutor’s Office 008, and is at the examination of evidence stage, under File No. 24701.
25. (13) Aury Sara Marruego, murdered in the corregimiento of La Pava, Department of Bolívar, on 5 December 2001. Official of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO). Registered as File No. 82425. The investigation is at the examination of evidence stage, hearing witness testimonies, etc., and is being conducted by the First Special Prosecutor delegated to the “Gaula”.
26. (14) Nilson Martínez Peña, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the Union of Workers in the Oil Palm and Related Industries (SINTRAPALMA), murdered on 12 February 2001 in the municipality of Puerto Wilches, Department of Santander. Justicia y Paz/CINEP, in the edition of Noche y Niebla for the first quarter of 2001, states with regard to the murder of Nilson Martínez that: “Members of paramilitary forces executed two workers employed by the Monterrey and Bucarelia palm-growing enterprises at Caño Murciélago. Raúl was a member of the Union of Workers in the Palm Oil and Related Industries (SINTRAPALMA).” The names of the murdered workers were Raúl Gil and Nilson Martínez, according to CINEP. The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Prosecutor’s Office 2 and is at the examination of evidence stage. Registered as File No. 22365.
27. (15) Aldo Mejía Martínez, listed in the 327th Report as President of the Codazzi section of SINTRACUEMPONAL, murdered in the municipality of Codazzi, Department of César, on 3 April 2001. The investigation is at the examination of evidence stage and is in the hands of the Codazzi Prosecutor’s Office 27, as File No. 281.
28. (16) Cándido Méndez, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the National Mining and Energy Workers’ Trade Union, La Loma section, murdered in the municipality of Chiriguaná on 18 February 2001. Registered under File No. 6619. The investigation is in the hands of the Chiriguaná Prosecutor’s Offfice 22 and is at the examination of evidence stage.
29. (17) Doris Núñez Lozano, murdered on 16 August 2001 in the municipality of Fusagasugá, Department of Cundinamarca. Doris was a member of the Claims Committee of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), Fusagasugá section. The Attorney-General’s Office reported that it took the case over with the resolution of 18 September 2001 and ordered an evidence?gathering mission. Registered under File No. 54401.
30. (18) Pablo Antonio Padilla López, listed in the 327th Report as vice-president of the Trade Union of Workers employed in the Production of Oils and Derivative Products (SINTRAPROACEITES), San Alberto section, murdered in the municipality of San Alberto, Department of César on 16 February 2001 by paramilitaries. Registered as File No. 134686. The investigation is being carried out by the Special Prosecutor’s Office 4 and is at the examination of evidence stage.
31. (19) Luís Alberto Pedraza Serrano, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO), murdered on 24 March 2001 in the municipality of Arauca, Department of Arauca, by paramilitaries. In the “Table of murders, woundings and disappearances of members of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union” produced by the USO, the name of Mr. Luís Alberto Pedraza does not appear. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, “the legal situation of the suspects has yet to be resolved. One person has been detained and one other has been declared absent”. Registered under File No. 1874.
32. (20) Samuel Segunda Peña Sanguino, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the National Mining and Energy Workers’ Union (SINTRAMIENERGETICA), murdered in the municipality of Soledad, Department of Atlántico on 11 June 2001. Registered under File No. 23998. The investigation is being carried out by Special Prosecutor’s Office 4 and is at the examination of evidence stage.
33. (21) Walter Dione Perea Díaz, murdered in the municipality of Copacabana, Department of Antioquia, on 26 January 2001. In the “List of teachers murdered in 2001” he is listed as a “teacher at the San Luis Gonzaga Secondary School in the municipality of Copacabana, Department of Antioquia, murdered on 26 January 2001 during the night at his home”. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the resolution of 16 July 2001 orders that certain evidence be examined and judicial proceedings initiated. Registered under File No. 3436.
34. (22) Isabel Pérez Guzmán, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the National Union of Workers in the Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths (SINTRAREGINAL), murdered on 8 July 2001 in the Department of Sucre. Registered under File No. 163301. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, witness testimonies have been obtained including descriptions of the suspects.
35. (23) Jaime Sánchez, listed in the 327th Report as a member of SINTRAELECOL, murdered on 20 March 2001 in the municipality of Sabana de Torres, Department of Santander. Mr. Sánchez is not included in the “Report on murders, harassment, disappearances, detentions, psychological terrorism and threats against union officials and workers of the electrical sector belonging to SINTRAELECOL” produced by the union’s National Executive Board. Justicia y Paz/CINEP in the edition of Noche y Niebla for the first quarter of 2001 states with regard to the murder that “members of an armed group shot and killed two workers at the Santander Electrical Enterprise”. The investigation is being conducted by the Barrancabermeja Prosecutor’s Office 8 and is at the examination of evidence stage. Registered under File No. 23082.
36. (24) Gustavo Soler, listed in the 327th Report as an official of the National Mining and Energy Workers’ Trade Union (SINTRAMIENERGETICA), murdered on 6 October 2001 in the city of Valledupar, Department of César. The investigation is being conducted by Special Prosecutor 5 and is at the examination of evidence stage.
37. (25) Oscar Darío Soto Polo, listed in the 327th Report as vice-president of the Executive Council of the Córdoba Family Benefits Fund (COMFACOR), murdered in the city of Monteria, Department of Córdoba, on 21 June 2001. Registered as File No. 20421. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, “a statement was received from one Luz Marina Lara Castro on 29 June 2001”.
38. (26) Juan Rodrigo Suárez Mira, murdered in the municipality of Bello, Department of Antioquia, on 21 March 2001. Member of ADIDA. According to the “List of teachers murdered in 2001” produced by the Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE), he was a teacher at the Manrique College in the municipality of Medellín and was murdered on 21 March 2001 in that city. Registered as File No. 42.647. The investigation is at the examination of evidence stage, statements have been obtained and the inquiry is in the hands of the Bello District Prosecutor 5.
39. (27) James Orlando Urbano Morales, listed in the 327th Report as an official of the Valle Workers’ Trade Union, a subsidiary of the CGTD, murdered in the municipality of Jamundí, Department of Valle del Cauca, on 12 July 2001. According to the document sent to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on 18 September 2001, Mr. James Urbano Morales was murdered, but there is no confirmation of his status as a member or official of SINTRADEPARTAMENTO. Registered under File No. 88651. The investigation is being carried out by the Jamundí District Prosecutor’s Office 103 and is at the examination of evidence stage.
40. (28) Miguel Angel Vargas Zapata, murdered on 16 May 2001 in the city of Valledupar, Department of César. President of the University Teachers’ Association (ASPU), César section, according to a document signed by the National Treasurer in Bogotá and dated 30 May 2001. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, one person has been implicated, arrested and brought before the First Special Prosecutor’s Office. Registered under File No. 134565.
41. (29) Ana Rubiela Villada, listed in the 327th Report as a member of the Valle Trade Union of Education Employees (SUTEV-CUT), disappeared on 27 September 2001 in the Department of Valle del Cauca and was found dead on 26 October 2001. Registered under File No. 7-1801. The investigation is at the examination of evidence stage and is in the hands of the Seventh Prosecutor’s Office, Sevilla.
42. (30) Huber Galeano, murdered on 11 November 2001 in the city of Pereira, Department of Risaralda. Activist of the Trade Union of Workers and Employees in the Public Services, Agencies and Decentralized Institutions of Colombia (SINTRAEMSDES), Pereira. Registered under File No. 693688. The investigation is in the hands of the Prosecutor’s Office 18, Pereira.
43. (31) Libardo de Jesús Usme Salazar, murdered in the city of Villavicencio, Department of Meta, on 6 June 2001. A member of the Union of Electricity Workers (SINTRAELECOL) employed at the Antioquia Power Company (EADE). The investigation is at the preliminary stage of examining evidence, in accordance with a resolution of 30 August 2001. The case is being investigated by the Medellín Special Prosecutor’s Office under File No. 457881.
44. (32) Gerardo de Jesús Raigoza Cardona, who according to the 324th Report was murdered in the city of Pereira, Department of Risaralda. According to the Colombian Teachers’ Federation, “Gerardo de Jesús Raigoza Cardona, a teacher at the Official Deogracias Cardona College in the city of Pereira, was found after having been brutally murdered on some undetermined date around the middle of the previous week and was identified today, Monday, 24 April 2000”. The Attorney-General’s Office reported that the investigation was closed on 3 January 2001 and reopened on 25 January 2001. Resolution No. 157 of 6 April 2001 assigned the case to the Prosecutor’s Office 2 delegated to the Higher Court, as File No. 60127.
45. (33) Edgar Mariño Pereira Galvis, who according to the 324th Report was murdered on 25 June 2000 in the city of Villavicencio, Department of Meta. According to information provided by the Single Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CUT), he was a worker at the Puerto Lleras Hospital in Meta, and as a result of continual threats had moved to Villavicencio. Registered under File No. 23729. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the motive of the murder appears to have been robbery, rather than the victim’s trade union activities.
46. (34) Arelis Castillo Colorado, who according to the 324th Report was murdered in the municipality of Caucasia, Department of Antioquia, on 28 July 2000. The Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE) in its “List of teachers murdered in 2000”, dated 10 August 2001, describes him as a teacher at the Gabriel Mistral School in the corregimiento of Cuiturú, municipality of Caucasia, Department of Antioquia, and states that he was murdered in that municipality on 28 July 2000. It says nothing about his membership of FECODE. The investigation is being carried out by the Special Investigation Subunit under File No. 2859. The investigation is at the preliminary stage and is examining evidence.
47. (35) Jesús Antonio Posada Marín, who according to the 324th Report was murdered on 11 May 2000 in the municipality of San Francisco, Department of Antioquia. He is described in the “List of teachers murdered in 2000” produced by the Colombian Teachers’ Federation as a teacher in the Los Yerbales Rural School in the district of Aquitania, San Francisco, and was murdered on the Medellín-Bogotá highway on 11 May 2000. His status as a member of FECODE is not established. Registered as File No. 1441. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the investigation has been suspended.
48. (36) Jaime Enrique Barrera, murdered in the municipality of Anzá, Department of Antioquia, on 10 June 2000. According to the Colombian Teachers’ Federation in its “List of teachers murdered in 2000”, Jaime Enrique Barrera was the Rector of the Ascensión de Montoya de Porra College in the District of Güita, municipality of Anzá, Department of Antioquia, and was a social studies graduate of the University of Antioquia. He was a former delegate of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), and was murdered on 10 June 2000. The investigation is being carried out by the Special Prosecutor’s Office and is at the preliminary stage and examining evidence under File No. 1966.
49. (37) Jorge Andrés Ríos Zapata, murdered on 5 January 2000 in the city of Medellín, Department of Antioquia. According to the Colombian Teachers’ Federation in its “List of teachers murdered in 2000”, Mr. Ríos Zapata was employed as a teacher at the Ciudadela Las Américas School. Registered under File No. 319866. The investigation is at the preliminary stage and is examining evidence.
50. (38) Diego Fernando Gómez, murdered in the municipality of Barrancabermeja, Department of Santander, on 13 July 2000. An official of the Trade Union of Workers of the Social Security Institute (SINTRAISS). Justicia y Paz/CINEP states with regard to this murder that paramilitaries belonging to the AUC known as “El Macon” and “El Canoso” executed an official of the Trade Union of Workers of the Social Security Institute who was also a prominent sporting figure in the city. Registered under File No. 20030. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that “the investigation is gathering evidence. A commission of judicial investigators comprising members of the Technical Investigation Section (CTI) and the Judicial Intelligence Service (SIJIN) is carrying out a mission with a view to establishing the motives, circumstances and possible culprits of the murders of workers at the Primero de Mayo Social Security Clinic in Barrancabermeja which took place in July and August 2000.”
51. (39) Leonardo Betancourt Méndez, murdered on 22 August 2000 in the municipality of Dos Quebradas, Department of Risaralda. Justicia y Paz/CINEP states with regard to this murder that “armed men shot down and killed the teacher and academic coordinator Juan Manuel González in the Buenos Aires district. The Risaralda Teachers’ Union condemned the murder and stated that teachers continued to be the victims of the violence that prevails in the country.” The “List of teachers murdered in 2000” produced by the Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE) does not include the name Leonardo Betancourt Méndez. Registered under File No. 5297. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the investigation was suspended on 23 March 2001.
52. (40) Miguel Angel Pérez, murdered in the city of Medellín, Department of Antioquia, on 11 September 2000. Member of SINTRASINTETICOS. His trade union membership is being verified by the Internal Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the Medellín trade unionists’ subunit has reported that the data supplied are insufficient and will apply to the Assignments Office of the Medellín Directorate for information on the status of the preliminary investigation.
53. (41) Alfredo Germán Delgado Ordoñez, murdered on 13 November 2000 in the Department of Nariño. Member of FECODE. Justicia y Paz/CINEP states with regard to this murder that paramilitaries of the “Libertadores del Sur” faction of the AUC executed three teachers from the Diego Luis Córdoba College. The executions took place at 9 p.m. in the El Palmar sector. The teachers were returning to their places of work in an automobile after a holiday weekend when they were stopped by the killers who had a list of names. Only his name appears in the “List of teachers murdered in 2000” produced by the Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE). Registered under File No. 27094. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, some evidence has been examined, but it has not yet been possible to identify the killers.
54. (42) Jairo Vicente Vallejo Champutics, murdered in the municipality of Linares, Department of Nariño, on 13 November 2000. Justicia y Paz/CINEP states with regard to this murder that paramilitaries belonging to the “Libertadores del Sur” faction of the AUC executed three teachers from the Diego Luis Córdoba College. The executions took place at 9 p.m. in the El Palmar sector. The teachers were returning to their places of work in an automobile after a holiday weekend when they were stopped by the killers, who had a list of names. Only his name is included in the “List of teachers murdered in 2000” produced by the Colombian Teachers’ Federation (FECODE). Registered under File No. 27094. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, some evidence has been examined, but it has not yet been possible to identify the killers.
55. (43) Carlos Eliécer Prado, murdered on 21 May 2001 in the city of Cali, Department of Valle. Justicia y Paz/CINEP in its quarterly publication Noche y Niebla for April-June 2001 reports that “armed men murdered a member of the Cali Trade Union of Public Enterprise Workers (SINTRAEMCALI) with 11 gunshots at 7 o’clock at the intersection of 15th Avenue and 59th Street”. The Internal Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of verifying the victim’s trade union status. The investigation is being carried out by the “Life Unit” of Public Prosecutor’s Office 17 and is currently at the preliminary stage and examining evidence under File No. 424801.
56. (44) Sandro Antonio Ríos, murdered in the city of Pereira, Department of Risaralda, on 30 October 2001. According to information supplied by the Trade Union of Workers and Employees of Public Services, Agencies and Decentralized Institutions of Colombia (SINTRAEMSDES), Mr. Sandro Antonio Ríos was a member of this trade union. Registered under File No. 68572. The Attorney-General’s Office has stated that the investigation is being carried out by the Pereira Prosecutor’s Office 18 (Prosecutor: Dr. Nancy Ramírez Pulgarín).
57. (45) Magnolia Plazas Cárdenas, murdered on 5 December 2001 in the Department of Caquetá. Member of ASONAL JUDICIAL. The Internal Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of verifying her trade union status. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the investigation of this murder was transferred to the Florencia Special Prosecutor’s Office.
58. (46) Rafael Jaimes Torra, murdered in the municipality of Barrancabermeja, Department of Santander, on 20 March 2002. Treasurer of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO). Registered under File No. 1196. The investigation is being carried out by the National Directorate of Prosecutors (Dirección Nacional de Fiscalías), which through its resolution of 23 April 2002 ordered the examination of evidence. An inter-institutional commission was formed by representatives of the CTI, DAS and SIJIN to investigate this murder. On 14 April 2002, two investigators of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Unit of the Attorney-General’s Office were sent to take statements from employees at the company Marped Ltd., from relations of the victim, from a guard and from persons living near the place where the murder occurred, as well as to gather documents and carry out a comparative analysis.
59. (47) Carmen Pungo de Sánchez, murdered on 2 September 2001 in the municipality of Tambo, Department of Cauca. The Support Unit of the National Body for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law has indicated that, through its resolution of 28 January 2002, the case was taken over and examination of evidence was ordered (statements, CTI commission). Registered under File No. 464284. The Internal Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of verifying the victim’s trade union membership.
60. (48) Julián de J. Durán murdered in January 2000, member of SINTRAISS. Registered as Elkin de Jesús Durán Sanchez. His trade union membership has not been verified. He is not on the list of assassinations which took place between January and December 2000, elaborated by the CUT and presented to the Subcommittee for the Unification of the List of Victims of Workers’ Human Rights Violations, which has been verified by the Internal Workers’ Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
61. (49) Eliécer Corredor, murdered in January 2000, member of SINTRAISS. He is not on the list of assassinations which took place between January and December 2000, elaborated by the CUT and presented to the Subcommittee for the Unification of the List of Victims of Workers’ Human Rights Violations, which has been verified by the Internal Workers’ Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
62. (50) Miguel Angel Mercado, murdered in January 2000, member of SINTRAISS. He is not on the list of assassinations which took place between January and December 2000, elaborated by the CUT and presented to the Subcommittee on the Unification of the List of Victims of Workers’ Human Rights Violations of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
    • Abductions
63. (1) Jaime Duque Castro, abducted on 24 March 2001 in the municipality of Santa Bárbara, Department of Antioquia. President of the Santa Bárbara section of the Single Trade Union of Industrial Construction and Materials’ Workers (SUTIMAC). According to the Attorney-General’s Office, “the preliminary investigation began on 24 March 2001 and the victim was released on 7 April”. Registered as File No. 1590.
64. (2) Gilberto Agudelo Martínez, abducted in 2000. President of the Union of University Workers of Colombia (SINTRAUNICOL). The investigation is at the preliminary stage and examining evidence, under File No. 834.
65. (3) Gerzain Hernández Giraldo, abducted on 24 February 2001. Not listed in the “Report on murders, harassment, disappearances, detentions, psychological terrorism and threats against union officials and workers in the electrical sector belonging to SINTRAELECOL” produced by the National Executive Board of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL). The investigation is being conducted by Special Prosecutor’s Office 1 and is at the examination of evidence stage. Registered as File No. 29208.
66. (4) William Hernández, who disappeared on 22 June 2001 in the Department of César. ECOPETROL employee. Not listed as a member of the Workers’ Trade Union in the document supplied by that organization in June 2002. The investigation is at the preliminary examination of evidence stage, and is being conducted by Special Prosecutor’s Office 1.
67. (5) Rodrigo Aparicio, who disappeared on 22 June 2001 in the Department of César. ECOPETROL employee. Not listed in the document supplied by the Workers’ Trade Union (USO) in June 2002 as a member of that union. The investigation is at the preliminary examination of evidence stage and is being conducted by Special Prosecutor’s Office 1.
68. (6) Eduardo Franco, who disappeared on 22 June 2001 in the Department of César. ECOPETROL employee. The document supplied by the Workers’ Trade Union (USO) in June 2002 does not list him as a member of the union. The investigation is at the preliminary examination of evidence stage and is being conducted by Special Prosecutor’s Office 1.
69. (7) Jaime Sampayo, disappeared on 22 June 2001 in the Department of César. ECOPETROL employee. The document supplied by the Workers’ Trade Union (USO) in June 2002 does not list him as a member of the union. The investigation is at the preliminary examination of evidence stage and is being conducted by Special Prosecutor’s Office 1.
70. (8) Julio Cabrales, disappeared on 22 June 2001 in the Department of César. ECOPETROL employee. The document supplied by the Workers’ Trade Union (USO) in June 2002 does not list him as a member of the union. The investigation is at the preliminary examination of evidence stage and is being conducted by Special Prosecutor’s Office 1.
71. (9) Diego Quiguanas González, disappeared on 29 June 2000. Member of SINTRAEMCALI. Registered under File No. 415952. The investigation is being conducted by the “Gaula Urbana” Special Prosecutor’s Office assigned to the Cali Special Unit and is at the examination of evidence stage.
72. (10) Leonardo Avedaño, abducted on 5 January 2002 on the road leading from the municipality of Puerto Berrio to the municipality of Yondó in the Department of Antioquia. His name is not included in the “Report on threats, attempted murders and murders within SINTRAEMSDES” dated 23 May 2002. The investigation is at the preliminary examination of evidence stage, under File No. 4628.
73. (11) Julio Ernesto Cevallos Guzmán, disappeared on 15 October 2001 in the municipality of San Rafael, Department of Antioquia. Member of ADIDA. Registered under File No. 3407. The investigation is being conducted by the Antioquia Prosecution Directorate and is at the examination of evidence stage.
    • Attempted murders
74. (1) Gustavo Alejandro Castro Londoño. An attempt on his life was made on 15 January 2001 in the city of Villavicencio, Department of Meta. Member of CUT. Registered under File No. 37443. The investigation is at the preliminary stage and is examining evidence. The Internal Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of verifying his union membership.
75. (2) Ricardo Navarro Bruges. An attempt to murder him was made on 12 January 2001 in the city of Santa Marta, Department of Magdalena. Member of SINTRAUNICOL. The investigation is at the preliminary stage and is examining evidence, under File No. 21102. The Internal Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of verifying his union membership.
76. (3) Ezequiel Antonio Palma. An attempt on his life was made in the municipality of Yumbo, Department of Valle del Cauca, on 11 January 2001. Member of the Yumbo Municipal Workers’ Union. Registered under File No. 117364. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the investigation is at the preliminary stage and is examining evidence, and the CTI has been asked to take action. The Internal Human Rights Group of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is in the process of verifying the victim’s union membership.
77. (4) María Elisa Valdés Morales. An attempt was made to murder her on 26 March 2001. Member of SINDESS. The investigation is being carried out by the Third Prosecutor’s Office and is at the preliminary stage of examining evidence, under File No. 394882.
78. (5) John Jairo Ocampo Franco. An attempt on his life was made on 9 August 2001 in the city of Armenia, Department of Quindio. Member of the Single Union of Education Workers of Quindio (SUTEQ). Registered under File No. 463476. The Support Unit of the National Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Unit in Cali states that it took the case over on 18 January 2002 and ordered that formal statements be taken from witnesses to the incident and from John Jairo Ocampo himself, as well as obtaining other evidence. A resolution of 8 February 2002 ordered statements to be obtained, and the CTI was instructed to examine evidence. On 17 May 2002 the Armenia SIJIN and CTI were instructed to act. Under the supervision of the Support Unit of the Cali CTI, intelligence work will be carried out with a view to identifying those responsible for the attack on Mr. Ocampo, and to determining whether or not it was motivated by his trade union activity.
    • Threats
79. (1) Hernando Hernández Pardo, who was subjected to threats from 6 July 2001 onwards in the municipality of Barrancabermeja, Department of Santander. President of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO). The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Special Prosecutor and is at the examination of evidence stage. Registered under File No. 1805. Mr. Hernando Hernández has been provided with “hard” protection measures by ECOPETROL, and the Protection Programme of the Ministry of the Interior has provided him with two cellular telephones and a radio.
80. (2) Alexander López Maya, who was the subject of threats from 2000 onwards. Congressional Representative and former president of SINTRAEMCALI. Registered under File No. 403605. The investigation is at the preliminary stage and is examining evidence. According to the Ministry of the Interior, “hard” protection measures provided for Mr. Alexander López Maya during the year 2001 under the protection programme included the provision of two cellular telephones, one bullet?proof vehicle and one radio.
81. (3) Alirio Uribe Muñoz, who has been threatened on a number of occasions during the past five years. President of the Society of Lawyers. Registered under File No. 912. The Attorney-General’s Office has reported that “statements have been obtained from Henry Cubillos, Reynaldo Villalba Vargas, Luis Guillermo Pérez Casas and others. On 13 August 2001 reports were compiled on the statements that had been obtained”. The headquarters of the Society of Lawyers has been provided with armoured protection by the Ministry of the Interior under the Programme of Protection for Trade Union Officials and Human Rights Defenders; this has been implemented in accordance with the recommendations made by the institution that carried out the necessary technical survey of the headquarters in question.
82. (4) Hernando Montoya, who received threats during the year 2000. Official of the Cartago Municipal Workers’ Trade Union (SINTRAMUNICIPIO). According to the Attorney-General’s Office, “Mr. Hernando Montoya was asked to provide additional information in connection with his complaint. The results of the Cartago CTI Commission are awaited. The case has been transferred to the Cali Special Investigation Subunit”. Registered under File No. 2910. A statement was obtained on 5 April 2002. The Programme of Protection for Trade Union Officials and Human Rights Defenders run by the Ministry of the Interior has provided bullet?proofing for the headquarters of SINTRAMUNICIPIO in Cartago, as well as humanitarian assistance grants, national airline tickets and a radio for communications.
83. (5) Julián Cote, who received death threats on 20 September 2001. Member of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO). Registered under File No. 1950. The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Special Prosecutor’s Office and is examining evidence. Mr. Julián Cote has been provided with a cellular telephone as part of a communications network for persons protected under the Programme of Protection for Trade Union Officials and Human Rights Defenders run by the Ministry of the Interior.
84. (6) Fredys Rueda, who received death threats on 20 September 2001. Member of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO). Registered under File No. 1950. The investigation is being carried out by the Barrancabermeja Special Prosecutor’s Office and is examining evidence.
85. 373. As regards the full list of murders, abductions, threats and attempted murders during the year 2002, the Government states that the Internal Human Rights Working Group of the Ministry of the Interior is in the process of checking the relevant lists of victims. A meeting of the Subcommittee responsible for consolidating these lists has been planned for the month of August, in accordance with the recommendation in paragraph 124(g) of the 328th Report; once that verification process has been concluded, a report will be submitted.

D. The Committee’s conclusions

1. 374. Once again, despite the fact that the Committee has examined this case on 11 previous occasions [see the 297th, 304th, 306th, 309th, 311th, 314th, 319th, 322nd, 324th, 327th and 328th Reports], the Committee notes with deep concern the new reports by the complainants of murders, attempted murders, abductions and threats which show that the situation of violence in Colombia continues to be extremely serious. Since the last examination of this case in June 2002 [see the 328th Report], 45 murders, 37 abductions and nine attempted murders have been reported.
2. 375. In general, the Committee takes note of the Government’s observations in which it reiterates its views on the origins of the prevailing violence, reports on the measures taken to eradicate it and provides a list of the investigations being conducted into the murders, abductions, disappearances and threats against numerous trade union officials. More specifically, the Committee notes that the Government reiterates its view that the situation of violence that has afflicted the country for more than 40 years is not directed against the trade union movement, but rather, affects all sectors of the population, and that the Government is deploying the resources available to it to investigate these incidents and punish those responsible. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government regarding the military operations undertaken against paramilitary groups. The Committee notes with interest the increase in the number of suspects captured (992 in 2002, an increase of about 600 since 1999) and in the number of weapons, munitions and vehicles confiscated. Nevertheless, the facts suggest that the measures adopted are insufficient to put an end to or reduce the violence directed against trade union officials. Under these circumstances, the Committee once again urges the Government to do everything in its power to achieve verifiable results in dismantling the paramilitary groups and other violent revolutionary groups.
   • Murders considered in previous examinations
   • of the case
3. 376. Once again the Committee notes the list of investigations conducted by various state agencies with regard to 48 murders, 11 abductions, five attempted murders and five threats. The Committee nevertheless notes with regret, as it did in its previous examination of the case, that according to the information contained in these lists, very little progress has been made in these investigations, given that in only one of the cases reported have the possible guilty parties been identified, and in one other a statement has been obtained from an individual. At the same time, the Committee regrets that the number of investigations conducted by the Government and reported to the Committee is considerably lower than the number of acts of violence reported by the complainants which have yet to be investigated. The Committee feels bound to reiterate the principle according to which “the killing, disappearance or serious injury of trade union leaders and trade unionists requires the institution of independent judicial inquiries in order to shed full light, at the earliest date, on the facts and the circumstances in which such actions occurred and in this way, to the extent possible, determine where responsibilities lie, punish the guilty parties and prevent the repetition of similar events” and that “justice delayed is justice denied” [see Digest of decisions and principles of the Freedom of Association Committee, 4th edition, 1996, paras. 51 and 56]. The Committee, under these circumstances, must demand that the Government take immediate measures to ensure that the investigations cover all the alleged acts of violence and make significant progress with a view to the effective punishment of those responsible. The Committee urges the Government to continue to send its observations on progress made in the investigations already begun (Annex II), and to take measures to ensure that investigations begin without delay into the other murders, abductions, disappearances, attempted murders and threats referred to in Annex I, as well as those referred to in the section on “new allegations” in this report.
4. 377. The Committee again notes that there are discrepancies between the accounts of the complainants and the Government with regard to the trade union membership of a number of the victims (Arturo Alarcón, Rafael Atencia Miranda, Victor Carrilo, Luis Alberto Pedraza Serrano, Jaime Sánchez, James Orlando Urbano Morales, Arelis Castillo Colorado, Jesús Antonio Posada Marín, Leonardo Betancourt Méndez, Gerzaín Hernández Giraldo, William Hernández, Rodrigo Aparicio, Eduardo Franco, Jaime Sampayo, Julio Cabrales, Leonardo Avendaño). The Committee also notes with regret that neither the Government nor the complainants have sent any information regarding the presumed non-membership of other victims listed in its previous report (Mauricio Vargas Pabón, Leominel Camp Núñez, Melva Muñoz López, Juan José Neira, Justiniano García, José Antanasio Fernández Quiñónez, Margarita María Pulgarín Trujillo, Julio César Betancourt, Islem de Jesús Quintero, Alejandro Alvárez Isaza, James Antonio Pérez Chima, Jesús María Cuellar, Juan Cástulo Jieménez Gutiérrez, Aníbal Pemberty, Esneda de las Mercedes Monsalve Holguín, Gloria Nubia Urán Delgado, Luis Hernán Campano Guzmán, Miguel Angel Barreto Racine, Alejando Vélez Jaramillo, Efraín Becerra, Alfredo Castro Haydar, Luis Mesa Almanza, Alexander Mauricio Marín Salazar) [see 328th Report, para. 115]. The Committee must once again urge both the complainants and the Government to send without delay the information needed to clarify this aspect of the case and to enable it to establish an accurate list of all the victims.
   • New murders and acts of violence
5. 378. The Committee once again notes with the gravest concern that 43 murders are reported to have occurred in 2002, which, when added to those reported in the previous examination of this case, make a total of 83 murders for the year in question. The Committee reiterates again that freedom of association can only be exercised in conditions in which fundamental human rights, and in particular those relating to human life and personal safety, are fully respected and guaranteed [see Digest, op. cit., para. 46]. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the reasons why, on 23 March 2001, the Attorney?General suspended the investigation into the murder of trade unionist Leonardo Betancourt Mendez.
   • Impunity
6. 379. The Committee notes the list of investigations conducted at the national level by the Attorney-General’s Office. The Committee has also noted the overall figures for captures of paramilitary personnel given by the Government. However, with regard to the investigations, the Committee once again deeply deplores that they have made little progress and then are suspended for want of evidence. The Committee considers that the prevailing delay in the administration of justice and the suspension of proceedings are corollaries of a deeply rooted impunity which not only serves to discredit the credibility of the Government, but also fails to improve the situation. In this respect, the Committee is bound once again to regret the fact that, despite the various bodies that have been established and the investigations conducted by those bodies, and even in some cases the arrests of suspects, the Government has not thus far reported any actual convictions of individuals for the murder of trade unionists. Under the circumstances, the Committee again requests the Government, with the same emphasis as it did in its previous examination of the case, to take the necessary measures to put an end to the intolerable situation of impunity and punish those responsible for the innumerable acts of violence.
   • Measures to protect trade unionists
7. 380. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government regarding the Programme of Protection for threatened trade unionists and the increase in the Programme’s budget compared to 1999. The Committee also notes the increased number of trade unionists provided with protection: in 1999 the Programme had a budget of 3,440,802,000 pesos and protected 177 trade unionists, while the budget planned for the Programme in 2002 is 27,542,000,000 pesos and will protect 2,500 trade unionists. The Committee notes with interest the expansion of the Programme of Protection and requests the Government to continue to carry out a non-restrictive assessment of the risk to which threatened trade unionists are exposed, so as to ensure that protection is extended to all individuals at risk and thus prevent murders and disappearances, and to continue providing appropriate protective measures. The Committee requests the Government to send all relevant information in this regard. Lastly, the Committee notes the inter?agency agreement concluded by the Ministry of the Interior, ECOPETROL, DAS and FONADE which, although more limited in scope, provides for protective measures for officials of the Workers’ Trade Union.
   • Discrepancies between the accounts of the
   • Government and the complainants with
   • regard to the actual number of trade
   • unionists murdered in recent years
8. 381. The Committee notes that the Government has not yet sent the consolidated list of victims for the period 1991-2000 prepared by the Subcommittee on the Unification of the List of Victims referred to in the previous examination of the case. The Committee requests the Government once again to send the list in question without delay.
   • Other concerns of the Committee
9. 382. The Committee once again recalls [see 327th Report, para. 344(g) and 328th Report, para. 124(h)] that it would be advisable to deal specifically with situations in which violence against trade union members is very intensive, for example, in such sectors as education, the petroleum industry and the health services, as well as municipal and departmental administrations. Such information should also refer to regions where acts of violence occur with most frequency, such as the Departments of Valle del Cauca and Antioquia and the municipality of Barrancabermeja, particularly in the Empresa de Petróleo de Colombia and the Empresa de Gas de Barrancabermeja. The Committee also requests the Government to send all the information available to it which could help better to combat impunity and examine the causes of violence against trade union members. The Committee once again reminds the Government of its responsibility for the protection of workers against acts of violence and for a proper factual and analytical assessment of each crime committed. The Committee reminds the complainants and the Government that they may request technical assistance from the Office for this assessment.
10. 383. Finally, the Committee notes the communication of the ICFTU dated 30 September 2002 which denounces the recent threats and arrests of numerous trade union officials for having participated in the protest march and strike of 16 September. The Committee requests the Government to send its observations in this respect.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 384. In the light of the foregoing interim conclusions, the Committee invites the Governing Body to approve the following recommendations:
   • (a) While noting that the violence affects all sectors of the population, the Committee expresses its deep concern once again at the situation of violence against trade union officials and members, and reiterates that freedom of association can only be exercised in conditions in which fundamental human rights, and in particular those relating to human life and personal safety, are fully respected and guaranteed.
   • (b) The Committee once again urges the Government to do everything in its power to achieve verifiable results in dismantling the paramilitary groups and other violent revolutionary groups.
   • (c) The Committee requests the Government to take measures to ensure that the investigations cover all the alleged acts of violence and to ensure that the investigations make significant progress with a view to punishing the guilty parties, and urges the Government to continue to send its observations on progress made in investigations already begun (Annex II) and to take measures to ensure that investigations are begun without delay into the other murders, abductions, disappearances, attempted murders and threats referred to in Annex I, as well as those mentioned in the section on “new allegations” in the present report. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the reasons why, on 23 March 2001, the Attorney-General suspended the investigation into the murder of trade unionist Leonardo Betancourt Mendez.
   • (d) The Committee must once again urge both the complainants and the Government without delay to send the information needed to clarify the discrepancies that exist with regard to the trade union membership of some of the victims.
   • (e) Deploring that despite the numerous requests of the Committee, the Government has not thus far reported any convictions of individuals for the murder of trade unionists, the Committee once again requests the Government with the same emphasis as in its previous examination of the case to take the necessary measures to put an end to the intolerable situation of impunity and to punish all those responsible for the innumerable acts of violence.
   • (f) The Committee requests the Government to continue carrying out a non?restrictive assessment of the risk to which threatened trade unionists are exposed, so as to ensure that protection is extended to all individuals at risk and thus prevent murders and disappearances, and to continue providing appropriate protective measures. The Committee requests the Government to send all relevant information in this regard.
   • (g) The Committee once again requests the Government to send the consolidated list of victims for the period 1991-2000 prepared by the Subcommittee on the Unification of the List of Victims referred to in its previous examination of the case.
   • (h) The Committee once again reminds the Government [see 327th Report, para. 344(g) and 328th Report, para. 124(h)] that it would be advisable to deal specifically with situations in which violence against trade union members is very intensive, for example in such sectors as education, the petroleum industry and the health services, as well as municipal and departmental administrations. The Committee reminds the complainants and the Government that they may request the technical assistance from the Office for this assessment.
   • (i) In respect of the allegations of threats and arrests of numerous trade union officials for having participated in the protest march and strike of 16 September, the Committee requests the Government to send its observations thereon.
   • (j) The Committee recommends the Governing Body to consider the possibility of transmitting the matters concerning Colombia which are before the Committee on Freedom of Association to the Fact?Finding and Conciliation Commission to support the present efforts of the ILO in clarifying and helping in the actual situation and to consider their development in association with the Government and the Colombian employers’ and workers’ organizations.

Z. Annex I

• Alleged acts of violence against trade union officials or members up to the Committee’s meeting of March 2002 for which the Government has not sent its observations or has not reported the initiation of investigations or judicial procedures
• Murders
  1. (1) Carmen Emilio Sánchez Coronel, official delegate of the North Santander Teachers’ Union;
  2. (2) Aristarco Arzallug Zúñiga, 30 August 2000, member of SINTRAINAGRO;
  3. (3) Víctor Alfonso Vélez Sánchez, 28 March 2000, member of EDUMAG;
  4. (4) Edgar Cifuentes, 4 November 2000, member of ADE;
  5. (5) Juan Bautista Banquet, 17 October 2000, member of SINTRAINAGRO;
  6. (6) Edison Ariel, 17 October 2000, member of SINTRAINAGRO;
  7. (7) Darío de Jesús Borja, 1 April 2000, member of ADIDA;
  8. (8) Henry Ordóñez, 20 August 2000, member of the Meta Teachers’ Association;
  9. (9) Javier Jonás Carbono Maldonado, Secretary?General of SINTRAELECOL, 9 June 2000, in Santa Marta;
  10. (10) Candelaria Florez, wife of Alberto Ruiz Guerra, member of ADEMACOR, affiliate of FECODE, 17 June 2000, by paramilitaries;
  11. (11) Francisco Espadín Medina, member of SINTRAINAGRO, 7 September 2000, in the municipality of Turbo;
  12. (12) William Iguarán Cottes, member of SINTRAUNICOL, 11 September 2000 in Montería, by paramilitaries;
  13. (13) Carlos Cordero, member of ANTHOC, 6 December 2000, in Peñas Blancas, by paramilitaries;
  14. (14) Gabriela Galcano, official of ANTHOC, 9 December 2000, in Cúcuta, by paramilitaries;
  15. (15) Ricardo Florez, member of SINTRAPALMA, 8 January 2001;
  16. (16) Jairo Cubides, member of SINTRADEPARTAMENTO, 21 January 2001 in Cali; the murder coincided with the change in the executive board of the union, when the previous executive board was in the process of being recognized by the Ministry of Labour;
  17. (17) Carlos Humberto Trujillo, member of ASONAL JUDICIAL, 26 January 2001, in the municipality of Buga;
  18. (18) Elsa Clarena Guerrero, member of ASINORT, 28 January 2001, in the municipality of Ocaña at a military roadblock;
  19. (19) Carolina Santiago Navarro, member of ASINORT, 28 January 2001, in the municipality of Ocaña;
  20. (20) Alfonso Alejandro Naar Hernández, member of ASEDAR, affiliate of FECODE, 8 February 2001, in the municipality of Arauca;
  21. (21) Raúl Gil, member of SINTRAPALMA, 11 February 2001, in the municipality of Puerto Wilches;
  22. (22) Edgar Manuel Ramírez Gutiérrez, Vice-President of SINTRAELECOL, North Santander Branch, in Concepción, on 22 February 2001. He had been abducted by paramilitaries the previous day and had received threats because he was a prominent leader at the time of the crime;
  23. (23) Jaime Orcasitas, Vice-President of SINTRAMIENERGETICA, in the Loma de Potrerillo coal mine, on 12 March 2001;
  24. (24) Andrés Granados, member of SINTRAELECOL, on 20 March 2001 in the municipality of Sabana, by paramilitaries;
  25. (25) Alberto Pedroza Lozada, on 22 March 2001;
  26. (26) Robinson Badillo, official of SINTRAEMSDES, in Barrancabermeja on 26 March 2001, by paramilitaries;
  27. (27) Mario Ospina, member of ADIDA-FECODE, in the municipality of Santa Bárbara, on 27 March 2001;
  28. (28) Jesús Antonio Ruano, member of ASEINPEC, in the municipality of Palmira, on 27 March 2001;
  29. (29) Leyder María Fernández Cuellar, wife of Francisco Isaías Cifuentes, on 26 April 2001;
  30. (30) Frank Elías Pérez Martínez, member of ADIDA-FECODE, between the municipalities of Santa Ana and Granada, on 27 April 2001;
  31. (31) Darío de Jesús Silva, member of ADIDA-CUT, in the municipality of Sabaneta, on 2 May 2001;
  32. (32) Juan Carlos Castro Zapata, member of ADIDA-CUT, in the municipality of Copacabana, 9 May 2001;
  33. (33) Eugeniano Sánchez Díaz, President of SINTRACUEMPONAL, in the municipality of Codazzi, on 10 May 2001;
  34. (34) Julio Alberto Otero, member of ASPU-CUT, in Santa Marta on 14 May 2001, by paramilitaries;
  35. (35) Henry Jiménez Rodríguez, member of SINTRAEMCALI, in Cali, on 25 May 2001;
  36. (36) Nelson Narváez, official of SINTRAUNICOL, in Montería on 29 May 2001, in the Department of Córdoba;
  37. (37) Humberto Zárate Triana, member of SINTRAOFICIALES, in Villavicencio, on 5 June 2001, in the Department of Meta;
  38. (38) Gonzalo Zárate Triana, official of ASCODES, in Villavicencio, on 5 June 2001, in the Department of Meta;
  39. (39) Manuel Enrique Charris Ariza, member of SINTRAMIENERGETICA, in the municipality of Soledad, on 11 June 2001, in the Department of Atlántico;
  40. (40) Edgar Thomas Angarita Mora, member of ASEDAR and FECODE, in the Department of Arauca, on 12 June 2001, after taking part in a barricade on the Vía Fortul Sarabena in protest against draft law 012;
  41. (41) Germán Carvajal Ruiz, President of the executive subcommittee of SUTEV, Obando Branch, FECODE-CUT, on 6 July 2001, in the Department of Valle del Cauca. Because of his dedication to the trade union movement, he was declared a military target in the Department of Caquetá, for which reason he was forced to arrange his transfer to the Department of Valle del Cauca where he was finally executed;
  42. (42) Hugo Cabezas, member of SIMANA-FECODE, on 9 July 2001, in the Department of Nariño;
  43. (43) Lucila Rincón, activist in ANTHOC-CUT, on 16 July 2001, in the Department of Tolima, by paramilitaries together with other members of her family when they were searching for another family member in captivity;
  44. (44) Obdulia Martínez, member of EDUCESAR-FECODE-CUT, on 22 July 2001, in the Department of César;
  45. (45) María Helena Ortiz, special prosecutor, member of ASONAL-CUT, on 28 July 2001, in the Department of Santander; her husband, Néstor Rodríguez, and her son were seriously wounded;
  46. (46) Segundo Florentino Chávez, Secretary-General of the Union of Local Government Officials and Public Employees of the municipality of Dagua, on 13 August 2001, in the Department of Valle del Cauca. He had been the victim of numerous threats and had urgently requested the establishment of security arrangements for trade union officials. A scheme was approved on 10 July 2001, but subject to budgetary approval;
  47. (47) Miryam de Jesús Ríos Martínez, member of ADIDA, on 16 August 2001, in the Department of Antioquia;
  48. (48) Manuel Pájaro Peinado, Treasurer of the Barranquilla District Union of Civil Servants (SINDIBA), on 16 August 2001, in the Department of Atlántico. He had asked to be included in the Ministry of the Interior’s protection programme but had not received any reply. His murder occurred at a time when the trade union was making a series of protests against the application of Law No. 617 by the district administration, aimed at mass dismissals of workers;
  49. (49) Héctor Eduardo Cortés Arroyabe, member of ADIDA-CUT, disappeared on 16 August 2001 and was found dead on 18 August 2001 in the Department of Antioquia;
  50. (50) Fernando Euclides Serna Velásquez, member of the collective security scheme of national CUT in Bogotá, disappeared on 18 August 2001, and was found murdered the following day in the Department of Cundinamarca. He was a member of the CUT collective security scheme;
  51. (51) Evert Encizo, member of the Meta Teachers’ Association (ADEM-CUT), on 22 August 2001, in the Department of Meta. He was a teacher working with forcibly displaced persons;
  52. (52) Yolanda Paternina Negrete, member of ASONAL-CUT, on 29 August 2001, in the Department of Sucre. She was a special judge for public order matters and was responsible for numerous high-risk proceedings;
  53. (53) Miguel Chávez, member of ANTHOC-CUT, on 30 August 2001, in the Department of Cauca;
  54. (54) Manuel Ruiz, CUT trade union official, on 26 September 2001, in the Department of Córdoba;
  55. (55) Ana Ruby Orrego, member of the El Valle Single Education Workers’ Trade Union (SUTEV-CUT), on 3 October 2001, in the Department of Valle del Cauca;
  56. (56) Jorge Iván Rivera Manrique, member of the Risaralda Teachers’ Union (SER-CUT), on 10 October 2001, in the Department of Risaralda;
  57. (57) Ramón Antonio Jaramillo, official of SINTRAEMSDES-CUT, on 10 October 2001, in the Department of Valle del Cauca, when paramilitaries were carrying out a massacre in the region;
  58. (58) Luis López and Luis Anaya, President and Treasurer of the San Silvestre Union of Transport Drivers and Workers (SINCOTRAINDER-CUT), on 16 October 2001, in the Department of Santander;
  59. (59) Arturo Escalante Moros, member of USO, disappeared on 27 September 2001 and was found dead on 19 October 2001;
  60. (60) Luis José Mendoza Manjares, member of the executive board of the Trade Union Association of University Teachers (ASPU-CUT), on 22 October 2001, in the Department of César;
  61. (61) Martín Contreras Quintero, official and founder member of SINTRAELECOL-CUT, on 23 October 2001, in the Department of Sucre;
  62. (62) Carlos Arturo Pinto, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL-CUT), on 1 November 2001, in Cúcuta, Department of North Santander;
  63. (63) Pedro Cordero, member of the Nariño Teachers’ Trade Union, on 9 November 2001, in the Department of Nariño;
  64. (64) Luis Alberto Delgado, member of the Nariño Teachers’ Trade Union (SIMANA-CUT), on 10 November 2001, in the Department of Nariño. Mr. Delgado had been the victim of an attempted murder the previous day in the municipality of Tuquerres, Department of Nariño;
  65. (65) Edgar Sierra Parra, member of ANTHOC-CUT, was abducted on 3 October 2001 in the municipality of Tame, Department of Aranca and was found dead on 10 November 2001 in the municipality of Rondón, Department of Arauca, with signs of torture;
  66. (66) Tirso Reyes, member of the Bolívar Single Teachers’ Union (SUDEB-CUT), on 2 November 2001, in the Department of Bolívar;
  67. (67) Emiro Enrique Pava de la Rosa, official of the Magdalena Medio subcommittee of USO, on 13 November 2001, in the Department of Antioquia;
  68. (68) Diego de Jesús Botero Salazar, trade unionist in Valle del Cauca, prosecutor in the municipal subcommittee, on 14 November 2001, in Valle del Cauca;
  69. (69) Gonzalo Salazar, President of the Single Union of Policemen of Colombia, SINUVICOL?CUT, on 24 November 2001, in Cali;
  70. (70) Jorge Eliécer González, President of the Natagaima Branch of ANTHOC-CUT, was abducted and murdered on 25 November 2001, with signs of severe torture, in the Department of Tolima;
  71. (71) Javier Cote, Treasurer of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL-CUT), on 3 December 2001, in the Department of Magdalena;
  72. (72) Enrique Arellano, found dead at the beginning of December 2001;
  73. (73) Francisco Eladio Sierra Vásquez, President of the executive committee of the Andean Branch of the Antioquia Union of Municipal Officials (SINTRAOFAN-CUT). The members of the executive committee had been summoned by the AUC in Farallones de Bolívar (Department of Antioquia). At that meeting, each of the officials was called by name and interrogated about his function in the trade union and his union responsibilities, after which Mr. Sierra Vásquez was taken away and murdered. At the same meeting, the commander, “Manuel”, a member of that paramilitary organization interrogated and questioned José David Taborda, a second member of the central executive committee. All the members of the committee are constantly threatened;
  74. (74) Edgar Herrán, President of the National Union of Drivers (SINDINALCH), Villavicencio Branch, on 26 December 2001;
  75. (75) Carlos Alberto Bastidas Corral, member of the Nariño Teachers’ Union (SIMANA-CUT) on 8 January 2002;
  76. (76) Luis Alfonso Jaramillo Palacios, delegate of the Medellín Branch of the Union of Workers and Employees in the Public Services, Agencies and Decentralized Institutions of Colombia (SINTRAEMSDES-CUT), on 11 January 2002, in Medellín, Department of Antioquia, murdered for his defence of the workers;
  77. (77) Enoc Samboni, CUT official, on 12 January 2002, in the Department of Cauca, by paramilitaries who stole his trade union papers. Enoc Samboni was involved in the Ministry of the Interior protection programme and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States, and had asked for protection measures;
  78. (78) Sister María Ropero, former President of the Community Mothers Trade Union (SINDIMACO-CUT), on 16 January 2002, in Cúcuta by paramilitary groups. Sister Ropero was noted for her hard work in support of the human rights of workers and children and had received several death threats;
  79. (79) Jaime Ramírez, member of the Antioquia Trade Union of Public Officials and Employees (SINTRAOFAN), on 2 June 2001, in Antioquia by paramilitaries;
  80. (80) Armando Buitrago Moreno, member of the National Association of Officials and Employees of the Judicial Branch (ASONAL), on 6 June 2001;
  81. (81) Julían Ricardo Muñoz, member of ASONAL, on 6 June 2001 in Bogotá;
  82. (82) Carlos Alberto Vidal Hernández, member of ASONAL, on 11 June 2001, in Bogotá;
  83. (83) Edgar Thomas Angarita Mora, activist of the Arauca Teachers’ Association (ASEDAR), on 11 June 2001, in Barrancones;
  84. (84) Fabio Eliécer Guio García, member of ASONAL, on 19 June 2001 in Neiva, by the FARC;
  85. (85) Luz Marina Torres, Risaralda Teachers’ Trade Union, on 22 June 2001, in Risaralda;
  86. (86) Cristóbal Uribe Beltrán, member of the National Association of Workers and Employees in Hospitals, Clinics, Dispensaries and Community Health Units (ANTHOC), on 28 June 2001 in Tibu, by paramilitaries;
  87. (87) Eduardo Edilio Alvarez Escudelo, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL) on 2 July 2001 in Antioquia, by guerrilla forces;
  88. (88) William Mario Upegui Tobón, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 9 July in Antioquia;
  89. (89) Luciano Zapata Agudelo, member of ASONAL, on 10 July 2001;
  90. (90) Hernando Jesús Chica, activist of the Trade Union of Workers and Employees in the Public Services, Agencies and Decentralized Institutions of Colombia (SINTRAEMSDES), on 13 July 2001, by paramilitaries;
  91. (91) Margort Pisso Rengifo, member of ASONAL, on 17 July 2001, in Popayán;
  92. (92) Ramón Chaverra Robledo, member of the Union of Local Government Officials and Public Employees of Antioquia, SINTRAOFAN, on 19 July 2001 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  93. (93) Fidel Seguro, member of SINTRAOFAN, on 19 July 2001 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  94. (94) Prasmacio Arroyo, member of the Magdalena Teachers’ Union (SINTRASMAG), on 26 July 2001 in Magdalena;
  95. (95) Hernando Arcila Ramírez, member of Guaviare Teachers’ Association (ADEG), on 1 August 2001 in Guaviare;
  96. (96) Luz Ampara Torres Agudelo, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 2 August 2001, in Antioquia;
  97. (97) Efraín Toledo Guevara, member of the Caquetá Teachers’ Association (AICA), on 5 August 2001 in Caquetá;
  98. (98) Nancy Tez, activist of the El Valle Single Union of Education Workers (SUTEV), on 5 August 2001, in Valle del Cauca, by paramilitaries;
  99. (99) Jorge Antonia Alvarez Vélez, member of the Single Union of Workers in the Construction Materials Industry (SUTIMAC), on 6 August 2001 in Antioquia;
  100. (100) Angela Andrade, activist of the Union of Workers in Children’s Homes, on 6 August 2001, in Nariño, by paramilitaries;
  101. (101) José Padilla Morales, member of the César Teachers’ Association, on 8 August 2001, in Aguachica;
  102. (102) Luis Pérez Ríos, member of ASONAL, on 9 August 2001, in Quindío;
  103. (103) Hugo López Cáceres, member of ASONAL, on 14 August 2001, in Barranquilla;
  104. (104) Gloria Isabel García, member of the Risaralda, Teachers’ Union (SER), on 16 August 2001, in Risaralda;
  105. (105) Miryam de Jesús Ríos Martínez, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 16 August 2001, in Antioquia;
  106. (106) César Bedoya Ortiz, activist of the University Teachers’ Association (ASPU), on 16 August 2001, in Bolívar;
  107. (107) César Arango Mejía, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL), on 24 August 2001, in Risaralda;
  108. (108) Ricardo Monroy Marín, official of the Incora Union of Workers (SINTRADIN), on 25 August 2001, in Tolima;
  109. (109) Jorge Freite Romero, member of the Atlántico University Retirees’ Association (ASOJUA), 29 August 2001, in Barranquilla, by paramilitaries;
  110. (110) Luis Ernesto Camelo, activist of the Santander Teachers’ Union (SES) on 2 September 2001, in Santander, by paramilitaries;
  111. (111) Marcelina Saldarriaga, activist of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 5 September 2001, in Antioquia;
  112. (112) Rafael Pineda, president of the Barbosa Section of the Bank Employees’ Union (UNEB), on 8 September 2001, in Santander;
  113. (113) Juan Eudes Molina Fuentes, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL), on 9 September 2001, in Guajira;
  114. (114) Gilberto Arbeláez Sánchez, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association Subcommittee (ADIDA), 9 September 2001, in Antioquia;
  115. (115) Luis Alfonso Aguirre, activist of the Single National Union of Workers in the Mining, Energy, Metallurgical, Chemical and Allied Industries of Colombia (FUNTRAENERGETICA), on 10 September 2001, in Antioquia;
  116. (116) Juan Diego Londoño Restrepo, secretary of the Continental Ceramics Workers’ Trade Union, on 11 September 2001, in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  117. (117) Hernando de Jesús Montoya Urrego, activist of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 13 September 2001, in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  118. (118) Alga Rosa García Marín, member of ANTHOC, on 17 September 2001, in Antioquia;
  119. (119) Jacobo Rodríguez, member of the Caquetá Teachers’ Association, on 18 September 2001 in Caquetá, by paramilitaries;
  120. (120) Yolanda Cerón Delgado, member of the Nariño Teachers’ Union (SIMANA), on 18 September 2001 in Nariño, by paramilitaries;
  121. (121) Juan David Corzo, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL), on 20 September 2001, in Cúcuta, by paramilitaries;
  122. (122) Bibiana María Gómez Bedoya, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 22 September 2001, in Antioquia;
  123. (123) Jenny Romero Rojas, ANTHOC, on 23 September 2001, in Meta;
  124. (124) Antonio Mesa, member of the University Workers’ Union (SINTRAUNICOL), on 25 September 2001 in Barranquilla, by paramilitaries;
  125. (125) Germán Elías Madrigal, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 28 September 2001, in Antioquia;
  126. (126) Plutarco Herrera Gómez, member of the Claims Committee of the National Union of Cargo Handlers in Colombian Maritime Ports, on 30 September 2001 in Valle del Cauca, by paramilitaries;
  127. (127) Servando Lerma, member of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO), on 10 October 2001 in Santander;
  128. (128) Luz Mila Rincón, ANTHOC, on 10 October 2001 in Tolima, by paramilitaries;
  129. (129) Gustavo Castellón Fuentes, activist of the Union of Family Benefit Fund Workers of Barrancabermeja (SINALTRACOFAN), on 20 October 2001 in Barrancabermeja, by paramilitaries;
  130. (130) Jesús Agreda Zambrano, activist of the Nariño Teaching Union (SIMANA), on 20 October 2001, by paramilitaries;
  131. (131) Expedito Chacón, ANTHOC, on 24 October 2001 in Santander;
  132. (132) Milena Pereira Plata, ASINORTH, on 30 October 2001 in Santander, by the FARC;
  133. (133) Edith Manrique, activist of Caldas Teachers’ United (EDUCAL), on 6 November 2001 in Caldas, by paramilitaries;
  134. (134) Eriberto Sandoval, member of the National United Federation of Agricultural Workers (FENSUAGRO), on 11 November 2001 in Ciénaga, by paramilitaries;
  135. (135) Eliécer Orozco, FENSUAGRO, on 11 November 2001 in Ciénaga, by paramilitaries;
  136. (136) Jorge Julio Céspedes, activist of Caldas Teachers’ United (EDUCAL), on 24 November 2001 in Caldas, by paramilitaries;
  137. (137) María Leida Montoya, activist of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 30 November 2001 in Antioquia;
  138. (138) Luis Alfonso Gaviria Meneses, activist of SINTRAEMSDES, on 30 November 2001 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  139. (139) Luz Carmen Preciado, activist of the Nariño Teaching Union (SIMANA), on 30 November 2001 in Nariño, by FARC;
  140. (140) Santiago González, SIMANA, 30 November 2001 in Nariño, by the FARC;
  141. (141) Herlindo Blando, member of the Union of Teachers and Lecturers of Boyacá, on 1 December 2001 in Boyacá, by paramilitaries;
  142. (142) Generoso Estrada Saldarriaga, member of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), on 4 December 2001 in Antioquia;
  143. (143) Germán Dario Ortiz Restrepo, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 7 December 2001 in Antioquia;
  144. (144) Alberto Torres, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 12 December 2001 in Antioquia;
  145. (145) James Estrada, activist of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 13 December 2001 in Antioquia;
  146. (146) José Raúl Orozco, President of the Continental Ceramic Workers’ Union, on 14 December 2001 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  147. (147) Jairo Antonio Chima, SINTRAEMSDES, on 22 December 2001 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  148. (148) Eduardo Alfonso Suárez Díaz, delegate of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO), on 23 December 2001 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  149. (149) Iván Velasco Vélez, Union of University Workers, on 27 December 2001 in Valle del Cauca, by paramilitaries;
  150. (150) Bertilda Pavón, member of ANTHOC, on 2 January 2002 in Valledupar, by paramilitaries;
  151. (151) Carlos Arturo Alarcón, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 12 January 2002 in Antioquia;
  152. (152) Rubén Arenas, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA), on 16 January 2002 in Antioquia;
  153. (153) Rubí Moreno, member of ANTHOC, on 20 January 2002 in César, by paramilitaries;
  154. (154) Víctor Alberto Triana, Association of Employees of ECOPETROL (ADECO), on 21 January 2002, by paramilitaries; Carlos Padilla, President of the Union of Workers in the Fray Luis de León Hospital, member of the General Confederation of Democratic Workers and UTRADEC, on 28 January 2002, in the municipality of Plato Magdalena, after receiving threats;
  155. (155) Carmen Elena García Rodríguez, organization secretary of the Municipal Executive Board of the César Health Union (SIDESC), shot dead when she was leaving her work at the Eduardo Arredondo Daza Hospital in Valledupar, on 29 January 2002;
  156. (156) Walter Oñate, in the same circumstances as the previous victim;
  157. (157) Jairo Alonso Giraldo, activist of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 1 February 2002, in Antioquia;
  158. (158) Gloria Eudilia Riveros Rodríquez, teacher at the Inocencio Chincá College in the municipality of Tame, in a FARC attack on the municipal police station, on 2 February 2002;
  159. (159) Oscar Jaime Delgado Valencia, teacher at the Camilo Torres de Armenia College, Department of Quindío, shot dead on 4 February 2002;
  160. (160) Oswaldo Enrique Borja Martínez, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL), on 6 February 2002 in Sucre, by paramilitaries;
  161. (161) Henry Mauricio Neira, member of ANTHOC, on 7 February 2002 in Arauca;
  162. (162) Nohora Elsy López, official of the National Union of Childcare Workers in Welfare Homes, on 7 February 2002 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  163. (163) Adolfo Flórez Rico, activist of the National Union of Workers in the Construction Industry (SINDICONS), on 7 February 2002 in Antioquia, by paramilitaries;
  164. (164) Julio Galaneo, community leader and former employee of EMCALI, shot dead on 11 February 2002. His wife, also a trade union activist, escaped unhurt from the attack;
  165. (165) Angela María Rodríquez Jaimes, member of the Santander Teachers’ Union (SES-CUT), in the municipality of Piedecuesta, Department of Santander, shot dead on 12 February 2002;
  166. (166) Néstor Rincón Quinceno, Riseralda Teachers’ Union, on 14 February 2002;
  167. (167) Alfredo González Páez, member of the Association of Employees of INPEC (ASEINPEC), on 15 February 2002 in Tolima, by paramilitaries;
  168. (168) Oswaldo Meneses Jiménez, ASEINPEC, on 15 February 2002 in Tolima, by paramilitaries;
  169. (169) Barqueley Ríos Mena, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 16 February 2002 in Antioquia;
  170. (170) Juan Manuel Santos Rentería, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association, on 16 February 2002 in Antioquia;
  171. (171) Fernando Cabrales, President of the National Haulage Federation, on 18 February 2002 in Valle del Cauca, by paramilitaries;
  172. (172) José Wilson Díaz, member of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), on 21 February 2002 in Huila, by the FARC;
  173. (173) Cecilia Gallego, Secretary for Women’s Affairs of the Executive Committee of Colombian Farmers’ Action (ACC), in the municipality of Macarena, on 25 February 2002;
  174. (174) Hugo Ospina Ríos, member of the Risaralda Teachers’ Union (SER), on 26 February 2002 in Risaralda;
  175. (175) Marcos Antonio Beltrán, activist of SUTEV, on 1 March 2002 in Valle del Cauca;
  176. (176) Roberto Carballo, member of the National Association of Civil Servants and Judicial Employees (ASONAL), on 6 March 2002 in Bolívar;
  177. (177) Juan Montiel, member of the Ciénaga subcommittee of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), Department of Magdalena, on 7 March 2002;
  178. (178) Emilio Villeras Durán, member of the Ciénaga subcommittee of the National Union of Farmworkers (SINTRAINAGRO), Department of Magdalena, on 7 March 2002;
  179. (179) Alirio Garzón Córdoba, member of the National Union of Workers in the Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths (SINTRAREGINAL), on 10 March 2002 in Huila;
  180. (180) Carlos Alberto Molano, SINTRAREGINAL, on 10 March 2002 in Huila;
  181. (181) Eduardo Chinchilla Padilla, activist of the Union of Workers in the Oil Palm and Related Industries (SINTRAPALMA-CUT), on 11 March 2002;
  182. (182) Luis Omar Castillo, member of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), at the Río Bobo Electricity Generating Station, in the Department of Nariño, on 20 March 2002, by paramilitaries;
  183. (183) Juan Bautista Cevallos, member of the Union of Electricity Workers of Colombia (SINTRAELECOL), at the Río Bobo Electricity Generating Station, in the Department of Nariño, on 20 March 2002, by paramilitaries;
  184. (184) Ernesto Alfonso Giraldo Martínez, prosecutor delegate of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDAS-CUT), was shot and seriously wounded on 21 March 2002. On 22 March, when he was being transferred to the San Vicente Hospital in Medellín, he was taken from the ambulance and murdered by the FARC;
  185. (185) Alfredo Zapata Herrera, official of the of the Single Union of Workers in the Construction Materials’ Industry – Santa Bárbara Branch (SUTIMAC-CUT), was abducted on 2 April and found dead on 3 April in Santa Bárbara; the trade union is being threatened by paramilitaries;
  186. (186) Oscar Alfonso Jurado, official of the Union of Chemical Industry Workers, Yumbo Branch, Department of El Valle, on 8 April 2002, by extreme right?wing groups;
  187. (187) Hernán de Jesús Ortiz, member of the national board of the Single Confederation of Workers of Colombia, on 12 April 2002 in Celda, by paramilitaries;
  188. (188) José Robeiro Pineda, former official of SINTRAELECOL, on 12 April 2002 in Celda, by paramilitaries.
• Abductions and disappearances
  1. (1) Alexander Cardona, USO official;
  2. (2) Ismael Ortega, Treasurer of SINTRAPROACEITES, San Alberto (César);
  3. (3) Walter Arturo Velásquez Posada, of the Nueva Floresta School, in the municipality of El Castillo, in the El Ariari Educational District, Department of Meta;
  4. (4) Nefatalí Romero Lombana of Aguazúl (Casanare) and Luis Hernán Ramírez, teacher from Chámeza (Casanare), members of SIMAC-FECODE;
  5. (5) Roberto Cañarte M., member of SINTRAMUNICIPIO, Bugalagrande, in the Paila Arriba estate (Valle);
  6. (6) Germán Medina Gaviria, member of the Cali Municipal Enterprises Union (SINTRAEMCALI), on 14 January 2001, in the neighbourhood of El Porvenir, town of Cali;
  7. (7) Julio César Jaraba, member of SINTRAISS, disappeared on 23 February 2001;
  8. (8) Paula Andrea Gómez Mora (daughter of Edinson Gómez, member of SINTRAEMCALI, who was threatened on several occasions), abducted on 18 April 2001 and released on 20 April 2001;
  9. (9) Eumelia Aristizabal, member of ADIDA, disappeared on 19 April 2001;
  10. (10) Rosa Cecilia Lemus Abril, official of FECODE, attempted abduction foiled on 14 May 2001;
  11. (11) Six workers in public enterprises in Medellín belonging to SINTRAEMSDES were abducted in the Department of Antioquia on 12 June 2001;
  12. (12) Cristina Echeverri Pérez, member of EDUCAL-CUT, on 1 July 2001, near the town of Manizales;
  13. (13) Alfonso Mejía Urión, member of ADUCESAR-FECODE-CUT, disappeared on 4 July 2001;
  14. (14) Jairo Tovar Díaz, member of ADUCESAR-FECODE-CUT, on 29 July 2001, near the municipality of Galeras;
  15. (15) Julio Enrique Carrascal Puentes, member of the national executive committee of CUT, abducted on 10 August 2001;
  16. (16) Winston Jorge Tovar, member of ASONAL-CUT, abducted near the municipality of Dagua;
  17. (17) Alvaro Alberto Agudel Usuga, member of ASONAL-CUT, disappeared on 20 August 2001;
  18. (18) Jorge Feito Romero, member of the Association of Pensioners of the University of Atlántico (ASOJUA), on 28 August 2001;
  19. (19) Ricaurte Jaunten Pungo, official of ANTHOC-CUT, on 2 September 2001;
  20. (20) Alvaro Laiton Cortés, President of the Boyacá Teachers’ Union, on 2 September 2001, released shortly after being abducted;
  21. (21) Marco Tulio Agudero Rivero, ASONAL-CUT, in the municipality of Cocorna, on 5 October 2001;
  22. (22) Iván Luis Beltrán, member of the executive committee of FECODE-CUT, on 10 October 2001;
  23. (23) Carlina Ballesteros, member of the Bolívar Single Teachers’ Union (SUDEB-CUT), on 5 November 2001;
  24. (24) Jorge Enrique Posada, member of ASONAL, on 5 November 2001;
  25. (25) Jhon Jaimes Salas Cardona, delegate of ADIDA-CUT, on 26 November 2001;
  26. (26) Carlos Arturo Alarcón Vera, member of the Antioquia Teachers’ Association (ADIDA-CUT), on 12 January 2002.
  27. (27) Gilberto Torres Martínez, General Secretary of the Single Petroleum Pipeline Subcommittee of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO), in the municipality of Monterrey, abducted by paramilitaries on 25 February 2002 and released on 7 April 2002;
  28. (28) Hugo Alberto Peña Camargo, President of the Arauca Rural Workers’ Association (ACA), detained in the corregimiento of Caño Verde, Department of Arauca, without a judicial warrant, on 13 March 2002;
  29. (29) José Pérez, member of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO), in Quebrada La Nata, Department of Casanare, on 25 March 2002 by paramilitaries; and
  30. (30) Hernando Silva, member of the Workers’ Trade Union (USO), abducted in la Quebrada La Nata, Department of Casanare, on 25 March 2002 by paramilitaries.
• Attempted murders
  1. (1) Albeiro González García, President of ASODEFENSA, coffee sector, was ordered to a war zone although he was not a soldier, and refused. He was then victim of an attack on 24 September 1998; he is now in exile in Europe;
  2. (2) Ricardo Herrera, official of SINTRAEMCALI, was the victim of an attack in Cali, on 19 September 2000;
  3. (3) Wilson Borja Díaz, President of the Federation of Workers in the State Service (FENALTRASE), on 14 December 2000 was intercepted by hired assassins who shot at him, causing serious injuries. He is now in a critical condition under medical supervision;
  4. (4) César Andrés Ortiz, member of the CGTD, on 26 December 2000;
  5. (5) Héctor Fabio Monroy, member of AICA-FECODE, was the victim of a gunshot attack on 23 February 2001;
  6. (6) Attack on the executive board of SINTRAEMCALI in the outskirts of the town of Cali, when they were attending a working group to make proposals concerning the Cali Enterprise Recovery Plan, on 10 June 2001;
  7. (7) María Emma Gómez de Perdomo, member of ANTHOC, was the victim of an attack in which she was wounded by four bullets, in the town of Honda, on 13 June 2001;
  8. (8) Clemencia del Carmen Burgos, member of ASONAL-CUT, who was investigating the financing networks of the AUC self-defence groups, on 11 July 2001;
  9. (9) Omar García Angulo, member of SINTRAEMECOL, on 16 August 2001;
  10. (10) Carlos Arturo Mejía Polanco, member of the Yumbo Branch subcommittee of the Single Union of Workers in the Construction Materials Industry (SUTIMAC-CUT), on 16 November 2001;
  11. (11) Daniel Orlando Gutiérrez Ramos, member of the Cali Municipal Enterprises Union (SINTRAEMCALI), on 3 January 2002;
  12. (12) Sigilfredo Grueso, activist in the Cali Municipal Enterprises Union (SINTRAEMCALI), on 10 January 2002;
  13. (13) Albeiro Foreno, official of the Cartago Municipal Workers’ Union (SINTRAMUNICIPIO), on 13 February 2002. Shots were fired at him by a paramilitary on 13 February 2002. Had already been a victim of attacks; and
  14. (14) National Union of Food Industry Workers (SINTRAINAL), in the Department of Valle del Cauca, on 14 February 2002, when shots were fired at the premises.
• Death threats
  1. (1) Juan de la Rosa Grimaldos, President of ASEINPEC;
  2. (2) María Clara Baquero Sarmiento, President of ASODEFENSA;
  3. (3) Giovanni Uyazán Sánchez;
  4. (4) Reinaldo Villegas Vargas, member of the “José Alvear Restrepo” Society of Lawyers;
  5. (5) The following officials and members of USO: Carlos Oviedo, César Losa, Ismael Ríos, José Meneses, Julio Saldaña, Ladislao Rodríguez, Luis Linares, Rafael Ortiz, Ramiro Luna;
  6. (6) Rosario Vela, member of SINTRADEPARTAMENTO;
  7. (7) Numerous officials and members of FECODE;
  8. (8) Jorge Nisperuza, President of the CUT subcommittee, Córdoba;
  9. (9) María de Jesús Castañeda, President of the CUT subcommittee, Huila;
  10. (10) Gerardo Rodrigo Genoy Guerrero, President of the National Union of Workers, SINTRABANCOL;
  11. (11) Otoniel Ramírez, President of the CUT subcommittee, Valle;
  12. (12) José Rodrigo Orozco, member of the CUT-CAUCA executive board;
  13. (13) Against SINTRHOINCOL workers on 9 July 2001;
  14. (14) Leonel Pastas, official of the National Colombian Institute for Agrarian Reform (INCORA), on 14 August 2001;
  15. (15) Rusbel, INCORA official, on 14 August 2001;
  16. (16) Edgar Púa and José Meriño, Treasurer and Prosecutor of ANTHOC, on 16 August 2001;
  17. (17) Gustavo Villanueva, ANTHOC official, on 16 August 2001;
  18. (18) Jesús Tovar and Ildis Jarava, ANTHOC officials, were followed by heavily armed men from 16 August 2001;
  19. (19) Workers in the Union of Local Government Officials and Public Employees of Antioquia (SINTRAOFAN) were intimidated by paramilitaries to make them give up their trade union membership;
  20. (20) Aquiles Portilla, FECODE official, victim of pursuit on 29 August 2001;
  21. (21) Edgar Mojico and Daniel Rico, President and Press Secretary respectively of the Petroleum Industry Workers’ Trade Union (USO), threatened by AUC members;
  22. (22) Over Dorado Cardona, official of ADIDA, on 19 September 2001;
  23. (23) Orlando Herrán, Rogelio Pérez Gil, Edgar Alvarez Cañizales, Dalgy Barrera Gamez, Jorge Vázquez Nivia, Javier González, Humberto Castro, Cervulo Bautista Matoma, members of the CGTD, received threats and were the victims of pursuit;
  24. (24) Jaime Goyes, Jairo Roseño, Rosalba Oviedo, Pedro Layton, Ricardo Chávez, Diego Escandón, Luis Ortega, trade union officials in the Department of Nariño, were threatened with death by the AUC on 8 October 2001;
  25. (25) On 26 October 2001, the entire executive board of SINTRAVIDRICOL-CUT was threatened with death;
  26. (26) Jorge Eliécer Londoño, member of SINTRAEMSDES-CUT, received death threats on 2 November 2001;
  27. (27) Carlos Alberto Florez Loaiza, member of the national executive board of the Union of Workers and Employees in the Public Services, Agencies and Decentralized Institutions of Colombia (SINTRAEMSDES), on 5 January 2002;
  28. (28) José Homer Moreno Valencia, member of SINTRAEMSDES-CUT, on 10 January 2002;
  29. (29) Luis Hernández, president of SINTRAEMCALI.
• Persecution
  1. (1) Esperanza Valdés Amortegui, Treasurer of ASODEFENSA, victim of illegal espionage through the installation of microphones in her workplace;
  2. (2) Henry Armando Cuéllar Valbuena, harassed and physically assaulted;
  3. (3) Carlos González, President of the Union of University Workers of El Valle, assaulted by police, on 1 May 2001;
  4. (4) Freddy Ocoro, President of the Bugalagrande Union of Municipal Workers, assaulted by police, on 1 May 2001;
  5. (5) Jesús Antonio González, director of the CUT Department of Human and Trade Union Rights, assaulted by police, on 1 May 2001.
• Sending civilians to war zones
• In the Ministry of Defence, as a means of anti-trade union harassment, civilians continue to be forced to go to war zones wearing military uniform, without weapons or military training. The following people have been subjected to this:
  1. (1) Carlos Julio Rodríguez García, member of ASODEFENSA;
  2. (2) José Luis Torres Acosta, member of ASODEFENSA;
  3. (3) Edgardo Barraza Pertuz;
  4. (4) Carlos Rodríguez Hernández;
  5. (5) Juan Posada Barba.
• Detentions
  19. On 19 October 2001, the following USO officials (active and retired): Edgar Mojica, Luis Viana, Ramón Rangel, Jairo Calderón, Alonso Martínez and Fernando Acuña, former President of FEDEPETROL.
• Annex II
• Acts of violence against trade union officials
• or members for which the Government has
• sent its observations
• Arturo Alarcón, Rafael Atencia Miranda, Jairo Balvuena, Víctor Carrillo, Francisco Isaías Cifuentes, Saúl Alberto Colpas Castro, Julio César Díaz Quintero, Alfredo Florez, José Luis Guette Montero, Saulo Guzmán Cruz, Darío Hoyos Franco, Cervando Lerma Guevara, Aury Sara Marrugo, Nilson Martínez Peña, Aldo Mejía Martínez, Cándido Méndez, Doris Núñez Lozano, Pablo Antonio Padilla López, Luis Alberto Pedraza Serrano, Samuel Segundo Peña Sanguino, Walter Dione Perea Díaz, Isabel Pérez Guzmán, Jaime Sánchez, Gustavo Soler, Oscar Darío Soto Polo, Juan Rodrigo Suárez Mira, James Orlando Urbano Morales, Miguel Angel Vargas Zapata, Ana Rubiela Villada, Huber Galeano, Libardo de Jesús Usme Salazar, Gerardo de Jesús Raigoza Cardona, Edgar Mariño Pereira Galvis, Arelis Castillo Colorado, Jesús Antonio Posada Marín, Jaime Enrique Barrera, Jorge Andrés Ríos Zapata, Diego Fernando Gómez, Leonardo Betancourt Méndez, Miguel Angel Pérez, Alfredo Germán Delgado Ordóñez, Jairo Vicente Vallejo Champutics, Carlos Eliecer Prado, Sandro Antonio Ríos, Magnolia Plazas Cárdenas, Rafael Jaimes Torra, Carmen Pungo de Sánchez, Jaime Duque Castro, Gilberto Agudelo Martínez, Gerzain Hernández Giraldo, William Hernández, Rodrigo Aparicio, Eduardo Franco, Jaime Sampayo, Julio Cabrales, Diego Quiguanas González, Leonardo Avendaño, Julio Ernesto Ceballos Guzmán, Gustavo Alejandro Castro Londoño, Ricardo Navarro Bruges, Ezequiel Antonio Palma, Maria Elisa Valdés Morales, John Jairo Ocampo Franco, Hernando Hernández Pardo, Alexander López Maya, Alirio Uribe Muñoz, Hernando Montoya, Julián Cote, Fredys Rueda, Julián de J. Durán, Eliécer Corredor, Miguel Angel Mercado.