Leading UK trade unionists demand inquiry into Colombian killings

The shootings came just weeks after Bill Rammell, foreign office minister with responsibility for Latin America, announced, “There has been progress in improving the human rights situation (In Colombia).”

War on Want and Justice for Colombia are calling for UK military assistance to the country to be frozen. Colombia has one of the worst human rights records in the world, but is a major recipient of UK taxpayer’s money.

Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC said, “Whilst the Colombian Army has started an investigation into the incident, there must be great concern surrounding the competency of the military judicial system to carry out such an investigation. There are multiple cases in Colombia, particularly Arauca, where the military authorities have manipulated evidence to hide their responsibility and blame the victims.”

Nick Dearden, acting Director of Campaigns and Policy at War on Want, said, “Despite assurances from the UK Foreign Office that the human rights situation in Colombia is improving, these latest shootings are testament to the contrary. Until UK military assistance is frozen, no UK taxpayer can be sure that their money is not being used against civil society groups in Colombia.”

Liam Craig Best, Secretary of Justice for Colombia, said, “These killings are further proof that the Colombian regime is intent on wiping out all opposition. With over 3,000 trade unionists now having been murdered in Colombia this is a clear case of state sponsored terrorism. It is high time that the British Government stop aiding these brutal killers.”