IRTF News

assassinations of social leaders across the country, Dec 4-18: Alfonso Giraldo Valencia, member of FENSUAGRO (United Agricultural Workers Federation) , Putumayo Dept; Oscar Pai Pascal, indigenous leader, Nariño Dept.; Jhon Jairo Ortiz Betancur, former FARC member, Antioquia Dept.; Alexander José Padilla Cruz, member of National Coordinator of Coca, Poppy and Marijuana Growers (COCCAM), Córdoba Dept.; José Rafael de la Hoz Villa, peasant farmer and rural activist, Magdalena Dept.; Alfonso Pérez Mellizo, community leader, Cauca Dept.

continued unjust criminalization of Juan Eduardo Caal Suram, a member of the Artisanal Fishermen’s Guild (GPA), which has been calling for government action to resolve the contamination of Lake Izabal in El Estor, Izabal Department, polluted by the Guatemalan Nickel Company.

death threats by Gaitanista paramilitaries against Gildardo Tuberquia, a member of the Internal Council of the Peace Community of San José, Antioquia Dept.

violent repression of protests following the disputed presidential election on November 26, illegal raids, damaged facilities, threats and persecution of members of human rights organizations, including COPINH (Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras), MADJ (Movimiento Amplio por la Dignidad y La Justicia), and Arcoiris ( LGBT Rainbow Association)

assassinations of two land rights defenders in Afro-descendant territories in Chocó Department: Mario Castaño Bravo (November 26) and Hernán Bedoya (December 9).

assassination of social movement leader Ramón Alcides García Zapata, member of ASOCBARE (North Antioquia Committee of Boat Operators) and Patriotic March, who was coordinating crop substitution programs in northern Antioquia Department

unjust arrest and criminalization of campseino leaders in the Aguán Valley, Colón Department, including Sindy Ramos, Vilma Rosa, Deysi Rosa, Elsy Rosa, Kenia Rosa and Raquel Méndez.

assassinations of two Embera indigenous elected leaders in Chocó Department: Aulio Isarama Forastero, governor of the Embera indigenous reservation Katru Dubaza Ancoso in Alto Baudó, killed by ELN rebels, and Ezquivel Manyoma, leader of Medio Baudó municipality, killed by Gaitanista paramilitaries; disappearance of Jhon Eriberto Isarama Forastero, a teacher also from the Katru Dubaza Ancoso reservation and brother of Aulio Isarama Forastero

assassinations of five political activists in one week throughout the country: José Jair Cortes (Nariño Dept), Liliana Astrid Ramírez Martínez (Tolima Dept), Miguel Pérez and Liliana Patricia Cataño Montoya (Antioquia Dept), Eliecer Carvajal (Putumayo Dept)

killing of Efgenia Vásquez Astudilo, reporter for an indigenous community radio station, while covering a Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) operation to evict members of an indigenous Kokonuko community occupying disputed land in Puracé, Cauca Department