Solidarity With Colombian Trade Unionists

Pleased to pass on this call out for a demonstration on 20th July- (Apologies for the erratic cut and paste job!)

"On the Friday 20th July ( Colombia ’s ‘National Day’) at 1pm the Solidarity
Federation will be holding a protest outside the Colombian embassy (3 Hans Crescent SW1. Tube: Knightsbridge. Between Sloane Street and Brompton Road.
It's about a mile from Parliament.)as part of a international day of action
to highlight the ongoing war waged by the Colombian state on trade
unionists.

We call on everyone who believes in the right of unionists to organise without the fear of death to join us on the picket and show solidarity with our fellow workers.

Colombia is amongst one of the world’s most repressive regimes, the US backed government of Alvaro Uribe Velez continues to allow transnationals, such as Coca Cola and Chiquita Brands International and Colombian business interests a free hand to destroy any opposition. Indigenous tribes' people, the Afro-Colombian communities as well as human rights activists have all been targeted. For trade unionists death threats, intimidation, harassment, beating and assassination are a regular feature of daily life.

The international Centre for Trade Union Rights says at least 72 members of trade unions were murdered in 2006 (ICTUR-www.ictur.org)

In an explosive new report submitted to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the ITUC has presented direct evidence of collusion between Colombia’s notorious DAS Security Agency and paramilitary death squads in the murder of at least seven trade unionists since the early 1990’s. The DAS (or “Administrative Security Department”)is under the direct authority of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez."