Definitive Report - Report No 6, 1953

Case No 44 (Colombia) - Complaint date: 01-APR-52 - Closed

A. Analysis of the Complaint

1. 593. The complaint, presented in the form of a telegram to the United Nations, alleges, without giving further details, that certain trade union leaders, including Mr. Carlos Arayas, have been persecuted by the Colombian Government.

B. Analysis of the Reply

1. 594. The Government states that investigations which have been made show that there is no basis for the allegations. Hence it is a question of a purely propagandist campaign against the Government's trade union policy.

C. Request for Further Information

1. 595. At its meeting on 1 and 2 December 1952, the Committee requested the Director-General to ask the Colombian Government for further information, in particular, with reference to the question whether judicial proceedings have been instituted against Mr. Carlos Arayas and other trade union leaders and, if so, with reference to the grounds for the judgments given by the courts.

D. Analysis of the Further Reply

1. 596. In its reply dated 12 February 1953, the Colombian Government states that it has addressed a careful enquiry to the labour and judicial authorities but that no trace can be found of the name and antecedents of Mr. Carlos Arayas. The Government expresses the view that the World Federation of Trade Unions is mistaken or that a malicious attempt is being made to compromise the good reputation of the Government.

E. E. The Committee's conclusions

1. 597. The Colombian Government gives a formal assurance that, after addressing an enquiry to the administrative and judicial authorities, it has been unable to trace the name of the person-Mr. Carlos Araya-alleged to have been persecuted because of his trade union activities. It may be, as the Government itself admits is possible, that some confusion as to the name exists, but it is evident that the responsibility for a mistake of this kind must be borne by the complainant because he has not given adequate details in his complaint.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 598. In these circumstances the Committee recommends the Governing Body to decide that the allegations made are too vague to permit a consideration of the case on its merits.