Colombian Trade Unionists killed

Amnesty International reports that Samuel Morales the president of the Confederacion Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT Colombia Trade Union Confederation) in Arauca department was arrested in August by the Colombian Army. In the same military operation three other trade unionists were killed: Jorge Prieto,45, of the health workers' union ANTHOC, Hector Alirio Martinez, 44, of the Association of Peasant Consumers, Leonel Goyeneche,43, of the CUT.

Jorge Prieto was due to speak at the final plenary of the in September Hazards 2003 Conference organised by London Hazards Centre at the LSE. Unfortunately problems with obtaining visas and flight times meant he could not make it, although he did speak at a number of UK events last Autumn.

Amnesty have highlighted these killings as part of its Christmas Card campaign. They say hopes of a full and independent investigation were undercut when Defence Minister, the Vice-President Francisco Santos and others labelled the victims 'subversives'. However following an international outcry the Vice-President retracted his statements and the Office of the Attorney General arrested three soldiers for the killings, but criminal investigations may yet be moved to a military court where the armed forces regularly are guaranteed exemption from punishment.

Amnesty are asking for cards and messages of support to be sent to:

Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Colombia

Calle 35 N1 7-25

Piso 9

Bogota

Colombia.

More Information:

www.justiceforcolombia.org