via email: contacto@presidencia.gov.co
Excmo. Sr. Presidente Iván Duque Márquez, President of the Republic of Colombia
via email: despacho.fiscal@fiscalia.gov.co
Sr. Fiscal General Fabio Espitia Garzón, Attorney General of Colombia
September 25, 2019
Dear Sirs:
We are shocked and devastated that 142 former members of the demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been killed since the signing of the peace agreement between the FARC and the Colombian Government in 2016. The latest victims: Milton Urrutia Mora, José Milton Peña Pineda, and Jackson Mena.
On September 6, the three FARC former guerrillas were murdered and another badly injured in two separate attacks. All three were active in the reincorporation process, having willingly disarmed under the terms of the 2016 peace agreement. But, despite soaring levels of violence against FARC former combatants, your government had not granted them any security measures.
In Cúcuta, Norte de Santander Department, Milton Urrutia Mora and José Milton Peña Pineda were killed and Arsenio Maldonado badly injured in an attack at a hotel. Witnesses said a gunman opened fire before fleeing on a motorbike. All three victims were based at the Caño Indio reincorporation zone, one of 24 special camps based around the country where former guerrillas receive training and develop productive projects as they transition to civil society.
On the same day, 33-year-old Jackson Mena was murdered in Quibdó, Chocó Department. Jackson was a FARC former guerrilla who was socially and politically active in Quibdó’s poorer communities. The FARC said he had previously requested security measures but these had not been granted.
Despite the violence being inflicted upon FARC members in the recincorporation process, the government has reduced security measures. Earlier this month, it was revealed that the National Protection Unit (the state body charged with providing security to FARC former members, trade unionists and social activists) had ordered FARC security details to return weapons. FARC party leader Rodrigo Londoño questioned the decision, asking why authorities had increased risks for former guerrillas.
We have written other letters to your government this year about the continued risks faced by FARC former rebels who are now involved in the reincorporation process (cf our letters Apr 26, May 26, Jul 1). The UN’s Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial Executions, Agnes Callamard, has called on the Colombian government to “stop inciting violence” against the FARC. We strongly urge that you
- conduct an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the murders of Milton Urrutia Mora, José Milton Peña Pineda, and Jackson Mena, and the attack on Arsenio Maldonado, publish the results and bring those responsible to justice
- immediately implement effective actions which address the chronic security crisis affecting former FARC members who are endeavoring to transition to peaceful life in civilian society
Sincerely,
Brian J. Stefan Szittai and Christine Stonebraker-Martínez
Co-Coordinators
copies: Francisco Santos Calderón, Ambassador of Colombia to the US ~ via fax: 202.232.8643 and email
Rebecca Daley, Human Rights Officer, US Embassy in Colombia ~ via email
Christine Russell, Desk Officer for Colombia, US State Dept ~ via email
Francisco José Eguiguren Praeli, Rapporteur for Colombia and Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ~ via email, US mail
US Senators Brown & Portman ~ via email
US Representatives Beatty, Fudge, Gibbs, Gonzalez, Johnson, Jordan, Joyce, Kaptur, Latta, Ryan ~ via email
