PEACE AND JUSTICE STATEMENT
4 February 2010
Take Action: Oppose to the attempts to criminalise International Solidarity
Peace and Justice for Colombia (PJFC) is deeply concerned about the recent questioning and interrogations of activists in Australia that for years have been working in solidarity with Colombia.
On 3 February 2010, a member of our organisation Mr. Alejandro Rodriguez was interviewed by the Australian Federal Police in an attempt to obtain information on individuals, the Agricultural Workers Union of Colombia (FENSUAGRO) and about the activities of our organisation.
Peace and Justice for Colombia is a solidarity organisation that promotes the respect of human rights of all Colombians and in doing so, we have been denouncing the violations of labour and human rights in that country under the regimen of Alvaro Uribe.
It is very shameful that Australian Federal Police is aiding Uribe’s regime that has been engaged in the systematic persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, labour leaders and the opposition. Still worse, there is evidence that Uribe’s regime has been involved in drug trade and paramilitarism.
Peace and Justice for Colombia believes that the actions of the AFP in this particular matter, violates the rights of Mr Rodriguez who for years have been involved in solidarity work with Colombia and with Latin America, but also the AFP action supports the Uribe regime’s campaign against international solidarity expressed by Australian trade unionists, individuals and political organizations.
PJFC requests that you and your organisation write to the Australian authorities to
- Protest for the AFP cooperation with the Uribe administration
- Condemn any attempts of Uribe to criminalise international solidarity with Colombia.
- Demand that the Australian Government suspends its involvement with the Uribe regime until such time human and trade union rights are protected in Colombia.
Post or fax your messages and letters to:
Hon Brendan O’Connor MP
Minister for Home Affairs
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6277 7290 or
Fax: (02) 6273 7098
Tony Negus APM
Commissioner of the AFP
PO Box 401
Canberra City ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6223 3000
Copy your letters to:
Peace & Justice for Colombia,
Email: pjfcolombia@gmail.com
Yours in solidarity,
Peace & Justice for Colombia, PJFC-Australia
For the respect of Labour and Human Rights!
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