UPDATE: Photo of Ingrid Vergara ------->
Y en español: amenazas contra la HIJA de unaDEFENSORA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS COLOMBIANA
URGENT ACTION
Daughter of colombian defender threatened
On 13 April Cendy Torres Vergara, daughter of human rights defender Ingrid Vergara, received new death threats by telephone. Her mother is one of the leaders of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes, MOVICE, in Sucre Department, Northern Colombia.
On 13 April Cendy Torres Vergara received a phone call during which she was threatened with death. The caller said “You have 78 hours to leave. Shut up and make your … bitch of a mother shut up because we are going to finish you all off”. (Tienen 78 horas para salir.
Cállate y obliga a la … hijueputa de tu mamá que se calle porque vamos a acabar con todos
).
According to Cendy Torres Vergara, the voice of the caller was the same as that of a previous caller who also threatened her with death on 30 March. On 13 April Indira Torres Vergara, another of Ingrid Vergara's daughters, was followed by two unidentified men as she left the University of Sucre in Sincelejo.
On 15 April another death threat was posted on Cendy Torres Vergara’s Facebook page, which read: “Avenging Counterguerrillas: this will be a red Easter week, if your bitch of a mother likes red, your time is up” (Justiciero Contraguerilleros: esta sera una semana santa roja si le gusta el rojo a la hijueputa de tu mama se te acaba el tiempo).
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own language:
n
Express concern for the safety of Cendy Torres Vergara, Indira Torres Vergara, Ingrid Vergara and their family and urge the authorities to guarantee their safety in strict accordance with their wishes;
n
Call on the authorities to order a full and impartial investigation into all threats including previous death threats against Ingrid Vergara, her daughter Cendy Torres Vergara and her colleagues, to publish the results and to bring those responsible to justice;
n
Urge the authorities to fulfil their obligations regarding the situation of human rights defenders, as laid out in the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 1 JUNE TO:
President
Señor Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente de la República, Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 No.7-26, Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 596 0631
Salutation: Dear President Santos/
Excmo. Sr. Presidente Santos
Minister of Interior and Justice
Señor Germán Vargas Lleras
Ministerio Del Interior y De Justicia
Carrera 9a. No. 14-10, Bogotá
Colombia
Fax: +57 1 599 8961
Salutation: Dear Minister Vargas /Estimado Sr. Ministro Vargas
And copies to:
Movice
Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado
Calle 38 No 28 A 30
Barrio Bogotá
Sincelejo, Colombia
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the fifth update of UA 301/09. Further information:
www.amnesty.org/http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/008/2011/en
,
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/027/2009/en
,
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/007/2010/en
,
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR23/019/2010/en
and
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/036/2010/en
,
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/007/2011/en
URGENT ACTION
Daughter of columbian defender threatened
ADditional Information
Cendy Torres has received several death threats in recent years, supposedly in reprisal for her mother’s work as a human rights defender. Ingrid Vergara, of the Sucre branch of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado, MOVICE), has been campaigning against impunity in cases of human rights violations committed by paramilitary groups, who have often operated with the support of the armed forces and local politicians, and on the issue of return of lands stolen during the course of paramilitary operations.
On 30 March 2011 a caller told Cendy Torres Vergara that she would end up dead on the road.
On 1 December 2010, armed men entered Ingrid Vergara’s home, physically and verbally attacked Cendy Torres Vergara, and threatened to kill her. The men left the home after forcefully removing the hard drive of a computer containing work Ingrid Vergara had been carrying out related to land issues, specifically documentation for a public meeting scheduled for two days later.
On 20 November 2010, Ingrid Vergara received a call on her mobile phone. The caller told her “don’t get into land issues” and then hung up after a silence.
On 12 October 2010, when Ingrid Vergara was in Majagual Square, in Sincelejo, one of the bodyguards, provided to her by the Ministry of Interior’s protection programme, noticed three suspicious men near Ingrid Vergara, talking about the absence of her second bodyguard. When two more men approached Ingrid Vergara on a motorcycle, the bodyguard urged her to quickly leave the square. She thinks that they may have been planning to kill her.
On 2 April 2008, unknown men threatened to kill Cendy Torres Vergara, supposedly in reprisal for her mother’s work as a human rights defender. On 26 October 2009, Cendy Torres Vergara received a death threat addressed to Ingrid Vergara.
MOVICE is a broad coalition of civil society organizations campaigning for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of Colombia's long-running internal armed conflict. Ingrid Vergara and her colleagues in MOVICE have documented and exposed many cases of killings and enforced disappearance carried out by the security forces and paramilitary groups in Sucre department.
On 23 March 2011 Eder Verbel Rocha, a member of MOVICE in Sucre Department killed. (see UA 94/11 AMR 23/007/2011 Colombia).
On18 May 2010 Rogelio Martínez, one of the leaders of MOVICE in Sucre Department was shot dead. He had been campaigning for the right to truth, justice and reparation for communities forcibly displaced communities during the course of attacks carried out by army-backed paramilitaries in previous years.
Further information on UA: 301/09 Index: AMR 23/013/2011 Issue Date: 20 April 2011
DAUGHTER of COLOMBIAN DEFENDER THREATENED
Cendy Torres Vergara, the daughter of human rights defender Ingrid Vergara, has received death threats by telephone. Her mother is one of the leaders of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes, MOVICE, in Sucre Department, Northern Colombia.
On 30 March, Cendy Torres Vergara was in school in Sincelejo, Sucre Departement, when she received a call to her mobile phone telling her that she would end up dead on the road.
Cendy Torres has received several death threats over the past years, supposedly in reprisal for her mother’s work as a human rights defender. Ingrid Vergara, of the Sucre branch of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado, MOVICE), has been campaigning against impunity in cases of human rights violations committed by paramilitary groups, who have often operated with the support of the armed forces and local politicians, and on the issue of return of lands stolen during the course of paramilitary operations. On 1 December 2010, armed men entered Ingrid Vergara’s home, physically and verbally attacked Cendy Torres, and threatened to kill her. The men left the home after forcefully removing the hard drive of a computer containing work Ingrid had been carrying out related to land issues, specifically documentation for a public meeting scheduled for two days later.
On 10, 11 and 12 March 2011 MOVICE held its
fifth national conference
calling for an end to impunity
.
Cendy Torres participated in this conference.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own language:
n
Expressing concern for the safety of Cendy Torres, Ingrid Vergara and their family and urging the authorities to guarantee their safety in strict accordance with their wishes;
n
Calling on the authorities to order a full and impartial investigation into all threat including previous death threats against Ingrid Vergara, her daughter Cendy Torres and her colleagues, publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;
n
Reminding them to fulfil their obligations regarding the situation of human rights defenders, as laid out in the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 12 MAY 2011 TO:
President
Señor Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente de la República, Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 No.7-26, Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 596 0631
Salutation:
Dear President
Santos/
Excmo. Sr. Presidente Santos
Minister of Interior and Justice
Señor Germán Vargas Lleras
Ministerio Del Interior y De Justicia
Carrera 9a. No. 14-10, Bogotá
Colombia
Fax: +57 1 599 8961
Salutation: Dear Minister Vargas /Estimado Sr. Ministro Vargas
And copies to:
Movice
Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado
Calle 38 No 28 A 30
Barrio Bogotá
Sincelejo, Colombia
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the fourth update of UA 301/09. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/027/2009/en http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/007/2010/en, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR23/019/2010/en and http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/036/2010/en, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/007/2011/en
.
URGENT ACTION
COLOMBIAN DEFENDER'S DAUGHTER THREATENED
ADditional Information
On 23 March 2011 Eder Verbel Rocha, a member of MOVICE in Sucre Department killed. (see UA 94/11 AMR 23/007/2011 Colombia).
On18 May 2010 Rogelio Martínez, one of the leaders of MOVICE in Sucre Department was shot dead. He had been campaigning for the right to truth, justice and reparation for communities forcibly displaced communities during the course of attacks carried out by army-backed paramilitaries in previous years.
On 2 April 2008, unknown men threatened to kill Cendy Torres, supposedly in reprisal for her mother’s work as a human rights defender. On 26 October 2009, Cendy Torres received a death threat addressed to Ingrid Vergara.
On 12 October 2010, when Ingrid Vergara was in Majagual Square, in Sincelejo, one of the bodyguards, provided to her by the Ministry of Interior’s protection programme, noticed three suspicious men near Ingrid Vergara, talking about the absence of her second bodyguard. When two more men approached Ingrid Vergara on a motorcycle the bodyguard urged her to quickly leave the square. She thinks that they may have been planning to kill her.
On 20 November 2010, Ingrid Vergara received a call on her mobile phone. The caller told her “don’t get into land issues” and then hung up after a silence.
MOVICE is a broad coalition of civil society organizations campaigning for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of Colombia's long-running internal armed conflict. Ingrid Vergara and her colleagues in MOVICE have documented and exposed many cases of killings and enforced disappearance carried out by the security forces and paramilitary groups in Sucre department.
The Colombian government has implemented some protection measures for Ingrid Vergara and Cendy Torres, including the provision of bodyguards, a mobile phone and a vehicle, but restrictions on the use of fuel have apparently limited Ingrid Vergara’s mobility.
Activists campaigning for the return of lands stolen mainly by paramilitary groups over the course of the conflict have been particularly vulnerable to threats and killings in recent years. Most of these attacks are attributed to paramilitary groups. Guerrilla groups have also targeted human rights defenders and other social activists deemed to be a threat to their interests.
Despite government claims that all paramilitaries demobilized in a government-sponsored programme that began in 2003, such groups continue to operate and commit serious human rights violations against human rights defenders and other civilians. This is sometimes in collusion with the security forces, or with their consent.
ACCIÓN URGENTE
amenazas contra la HIJA de una DEFENSORA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS COLOMBIANA
Cendy Torres Vergara, hija de la defensora de los derechos humanos Ingrid Vergara, ha recibido amenazas de muerte telefónicas. Su madre es una de los dirigentes del Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado (MOVICE) en el departamento de Sucre, en el norte de Colombia.
El 30 de marzo, Cendy Torres Vergara estaba en la escuela en Sincelejo, departamento de Sucre, cuando recibió en su teléfono móvil una llamada en la que le dijeron que acabaría muerta en la carretera.
Cendy Torres lleva varios años recibiendo amenazas de muerte, aparentemente como represalia por el trabajo de su madre como defensora de los derechos humanos. Ingrid Vergara, de la sección del Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado (MOVICE) en Sucre, hace campaña contra la impunidad por los casos de violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas por grupos paramilitares, que a menudo han actuado con el apoyo de las fuerzas armadas y de políticos locales, y sobre la cuestión de la devolución de las tierras robadas en el curso de operaciones paramilitares. El 1 de diciembre de 2010, hombres armados entraron en la casa de Ingrid Vergara, agredieron físicamente a Cendy Torres, la insultaron y amenazaron con matarla. Después abandonaron la casa, tras arrancar del ordenador un disco duro en el que Ingrid había guardado trabajo relacionado con la cuestión de las tierras, concretamente documentación para una reunión pública que se iba a celebrar dos días después.
Los días 10, 11 y 12 de marzo de 2011, MOVICE celebró su quinto congreso anual, en el que pidió el fin de la impunidad
.
Cendy Torres participó en él.
ESCRIBAN INMEDIATAMENTE, en español o en su propio idioma:
n
Expresando preocupación por la seguridad de Cendy Torres, Ingrid Vergara y su familia, e instando a las autoridades a que garanticen su seguridad respetando rigurosamente los deseos de las afectadas;
n
Pidiendo a las autoridades que ordenen una investigación exhaustiva e imparcial sobre todas las amenazas, incluidas las amenazas de muerte recibidas anteriormente por Ingrid Vergara, su hija Cendy Torres y sus colegas, que hagan públicos sus resultados y que lleven a los responsables ante la justicia;
n
Recordándoles que deben cumplir con sus obligaciones respecto a la situación de quienes defienden los derechos humanos, establecidas en la Declaración sobre los Defensores de los Derechos Humanos adoptada por la ONU en 1998.
ENVÍEN LOS LLAMAMIENTOS, ANTES DEL 12 DE MAYO DE 2011, A:
Señor Juan Manuel Santos
Señor Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente de la República, Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 No.7-26, Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: + 380 44 461 8600+57 1 596 0631
Tratamiento:
Excmo. Sr. Presidente Santos
Señor Germán Vargas Lleras
Ministro de Interior y Justicia
Carrera 9a. No. 14-10, Bogotá
Colombia
Fax: +57 1 599 8961
Tratamiento: Estimado Sr. Ministro Vargas
Y copias a:
Movice
Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado
Calle 38 No 28 A 30
Barrio Bogotá
Sincelejo, Colombia
Envíen también copia a la representación diplomática de Colombia acreditada en su país. Consulten con la oficina de su Sección si van a enviar los llamamientos después de la fecha indicada. Esta es la cuarta actualización de AU 301/09. Más información: http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/027/2009/es http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/007/2010/es, http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/019/2010/es y http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/036/2010/es, http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/007/2011/es
.
ACCIÓN URGENTE
AMENAZAS CONTRA LA HIJA DE UNA DEFENSORA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS COLOMBIANA
INFORMACIÓN ADICIONAL
El 23 de marzo de 2011, Eder Verbel Rocha, miembro de MOVICE en el departamento de Sucre, fue víctima de homicidio. (Véase AU 94/11 AMR 23/007/2011 Colombia).
El 18 de mayo de 2010, Rogelio Martínez, uno de los dirigentes de MOVICE en el departamento de Sucre, murió abatido por disparos. Había estado haciendo campaña por el derecho a la verdad, la justicia y la reparación para las comunidades que en años anteriores habían sufrido desplazamiento forzado durante ataques llevados a cabo por paramilitares respaldados por las fuerzas armadas.
El 2 de abril de 2008, unos desconocidos amenazaron con matar a Cendy Torres, supuestamente en represalia por el trabajo de su madre como defensora de los derechos humanos. El 26 de octubre de 2009, Cendy Torres recibió una amenaza de muerte dirigida a Ingrid Vergara.
El 12 de octubre de 2010, Ingrid Vergara se encontraba en la plaza de Majagual, en Sincelejo, cuando uno de sus guardaespaldas, proporcionados por el programa de protección del Ministerio del Interior, observó a tres hombres sospechosos que estaban cerca de ella hablando de la ausencia de su segundo guardaespaldas. Cuando otros dos hombres se acercaron a Ingrid Vergara en una motocicleta, el guardaespaldas apremió a Ingrid a abandonar rápidamente la plaza. Ingrid cree que es posible que estuviesen planeando matarla.
El 20 de noviembre de 2010, Ingrid Vergara recibió una llamada en su teléfono móvil. La persona que llamaba le dijo que no se metiese en asuntos de tierras y, tras un momento de silencio, colgó.
MOVICE es una amplia coalición de organizaciones de la sociedad civil que hace campaña por la verdad, la justicia y la reparación para las víctimas del largo conflicto armado interno de Colombia. Ingrid Vergara y sus colegas de MOVICE han documentado y sacado a la luz numerosos casos de homicidio y desaparición forzada perpetrados por las fuerzas de seguridad y grupos paramilitares en el departamento de Sucre.
El gobierno colombiano ha tomado algunas medidas para proteger a Ingrid vergara y Cendy Torres, incluido el acompañamiento de guardaespaldas y la entrega de un teléfono móvil y un vehículo, pero, al parecer, las restricciones en el uso de combustible han limitado la movilidad de Ingrid Vergara.
En los últimos años, los activistas que hacen campaña por la devolución de las tierras robadas –principalmente por grupos paramilitares– durante el conflicto armado han estado particularmente expuestos a amenazas y homicidios. La mayoría de estos ataques se atribuyen a grupos paramilitares. Los grupos guerrilleros también atacan a los defensores y las defensoras de los derechos humanos y a otros activistas sociales a los que consideran una amenaza para sus intereses.
Pese a las afirmaciones del gobierno de que todos los paramilitares se desmovilizaron en un programa promovido por el gobierno que se inició en 2003, estos grupos siguen actuando y cometiendo graves violaciones de derechos humanos contra defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos y otros miembros de la población civil. En ocasiones, estas violaciones de derechos humanos se cometen en connivencia con las fuerzas de seguridad, o con su consentimiento.
Más información sobre AU: 301/09 Índice: AMR 23/009/2011 Fecha de emisión: 31 de marzo de 2011
FU on UA: 301/09 Index: AMR 23/009/2011 Issue Date: 31 March 2011
URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S FAMILY THREATENED
The lives of Colombian human rights defender Ingrid Vergara and her family face new threats after an attack in their home. Ingrid Vergara has been documenting and exposing human rights violations committed by paramilitary groups.
On 1 December two armed men entered the house of Ingrid Vergara in the city of Sincelejo, in the northern department of Sucre, while her mother and her 15-year old-daughter Cendy Torres Vergara were at home. The two men forced Ingrid Vergara’s mother into a room and screamed “Where is the money, where are the millions?” One man then grabbed Cendy Torres by her throat and pointed an object into her back, which Cendy believes was a weapon. They screamed at her “Give us the documents and the camera. Don’t look at me, don’t look at me, we are going to kill you out here.”
The men searched the room and forcefully removed the hard drive of a computer belonging to the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado, MOVICE). Ingrid Vergara is one of the leaders of MOVICE. The hard drive contained information on work Ingrid had been carrying out related to land issues, specifically documentation for a public meeting scheduled on 3 December. The two men only took the hard drive, the monitor and 40, 000 Colombian Pesos (approx 20 US$), but no other valuables which were openly on sight. As they were leaving one man said “don’t kill her, don’t kill her“.
This incident follows previous threats and acts of intimidation against Ingrid Vergara in the past weeks. On 20 November Ingrid Vergara received a call on her mobile phone. The caller told her “don’t get into land issues” and then hung up after a silence. When she dialled the number, it was a public phone in Santa Catalina, a neighbourhood of Sincelejo. Five days later, on 25 November two more calls were made from the same number.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own language:
n Expressing concern for the safety of Ingrid Vergara and her family and urging the authorities to guarantee their safety in strict accordance with their wishes;
n Calling on the authorities to order a full and impartial investigation into the 1 December incident and previous death threats against Ingrid Vergara, her daughter Cendy Torres and her colleagues, publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;
n Reminding them to fulfil their obligations regarding the situation of human rights defenders, as laid out in the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
Señor Vicepresidente Angelino Garzón
Vicepresidente de la República,
Palacio de Nariño
Carrera 8a No 7-57,
Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 444 2158
(say “Me da tono por favor”)
Salutation:Dear VicepresidentGarzón/
Excmo. Sr. VicepresidenteGarzón
Minister of Interior and Justice
Señor Germán Vargas Lleras
Ministerio Del Interior y De Justicia
Carrera 9a. No. 14-10, Bogotá
Colombia
Fax: +57 1 599 8961
Salutation: Dear Minister Vargas /Estimado Sr. Ministro Vargas
And copies to:
Movice
Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado
Calle 38 No 28 A 30
Barrio Bogotá
Sincelejo, Colombia
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office. This is the third update of UA 301/09. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/027/2009/enhttp://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR23/007/2010/en andhttp://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR23/019/2010/en
URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S FAMILY THREATENED
Additional Information
On 2 April 2008, unknown men threatened to kill Cendy Torres, supposedly in reprisal for her mother’s work as a human rights defender. On 26 October 2009, Cendy Torres received a death threat addressed to Ingrid Vergara.
On18 May 2010 Rogelio Martínez, one of the leaders of MOVICE in Sucre department was shot dead. He had been campaigning for the right for truth, justice and reparation for displaced communities.
On 12 October 2010 Ingrid Vergara identified a possible attempt to kill her on the Majagual square in Sincelejo. One of her bodyguards, provided to her by the Ministry of Interior’s protection programme, noticed three suspicious men near Ingrid Vergara talking about the absence of her second bodyguard. When two more men approached Ingrid Vergara on a motorcycle the bodyguard urged her to quickly leave the square.
MOVICE is a broad coalition of civil society organizations campaigning for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of Colombia's long-running internal armed conflict. Ingrid Vergara and her colleagues in MOVICE have documented and exposed many cases of killings and enforced disappearance carried out by the security forces and paramilitary groups in Sucre department.
The Colombian government has implemented some protection measures for Ingrid Vergara and Cendy Torres, including the provision of bodyguards, a mobile phone and a vehicle, but restrictions on the use of fuel have apparently limited Ingrid Vergara’s mobility.
Activists campaigning for the return of lands stolen mainly by paramilitary groups over the course of the conflict have been particularly vulnerable to threats and killings in recent years. Most of these attacks are attributed to paramilitary groups. Guerrilla groups have also targeted human rights defenders and other social activists deemed to be a threat to their interests.
Despite government claims that all paramilitaries demobilized in a government-sponsored programme that began in 2003, such groups continue to operate and commit serious human rights violations against human rights defenders and other civilians. This is sometimes in collusion with the security forces, or with their consent.
FU on UA: 301/09 Index: AMR 23/036/2010 Issue Date: 03 December 2010
URGENT ACTION
COLOMBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER AT RISK
Female human rights defender Ingrid Vergara has received death threats and her daughter, 14-year-old Cendy Torres Vergara, has been followed by unknown individuals in the city of Sincelejo, northern Colombia. Ingrid Vergara documents and exposes human rights violations committed by paramilitary groups. Her life and that of her daughter may be at risk.
On 26 October at around 1.15pm Cendy Torres noticed a white car with tinted windows and without licence plates following her while she was walking to school in Sincelejo. The car slowed down and two children who were walking past went up to it. The children then approached Cendy Torres and told her: “They want you to let your mom know that she must shut up if she wants to reach the new year” (te mandan decir que le digas a tu mama que se quede callada si quiere llegar a año nuevo). The car then drove away.
Cendy Torres had noticed the same car following her on the afternoon of 19 October, the morning of 20 October and the afternoon of 21 October. On 21 October, neighbours told Ingrid Vergara that a white pick-up truck with tinted windows had driven past her house several times. The vehicle slowed down every time it passed her house.
Ingrid Vergara is a member of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado, MOVICE), a coalition of civil society organizations campaigning for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of human rights violations committed during Colombia’s long-running armed conflict. Ingrid Vergara is one of the leaders of MOVICE in Sucre department, northern Colombia, and has drawn public attention to enforced disappearances and killings committed by paramilitary forces.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own language:
n Expressing concern for the safety of Ingrid Vergara and Cendy Torres and urging the authorities to guarantee their safety in strict accordance with their wishes;
n Calling on the authorities to carry out a full and impartial investigation into these and previous death threats against Ingrid Vergara and Cendy Torres, to make the results public and bring those responsible to justice;
n Reminding the authorities to adhere to their obligations regarding the situation of human rights defenders, as laid out in the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO:
Vice-President of the Republic
Dr. Francisco Santos Calderón
Vicepresidencia de la República
Carrera 8A No 7-27
Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 565 7682 (ask: “me da tono de fax por favor”)
Salutation: Dear Mr Vice-president/Estimado Sr. Vicepresidente
Acting Attorney General
Dr. Guillermo Mendoza Diago
Fiscal General de la Nación (e)
Fiscalía General de la Nación
Diagonal 22B (Av. Luis Carlos Galán No. 52-01) Bloque C
Piso 4, Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 414 9108
Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Estimado Sr. Fiscal General
And copies to:
National Human Rights Organization
Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz
Calle 61A No 17-26
Bogotá, Colombia
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives of Colombia accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
COLOMBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER AT RISK
Aditional Information
On 2 April 2008, Cendy Torres was approached outside her school by four unknown men who threatened: “we are going to kill you because of what your mother is doing” (te vamos a matar por lo que tu madre está haciendo). Ingrid Vergara has suffered a number of death threats and acts of intimidation before. The latest one was an anonymous email that she received on 2 July 2009, inviting her to her own funeral and referring to her as a guerrilla. Although some protection measures have been agreed, the authorities have not fully implemented them. No-one has been brought to justice for any of these threats.
During Colombia’s 40-year-old armed conflict, members of human rights organizations, trade unions and other social organizations have often been labelled as guerrilla collaborators or supporters by the security forces and paramilitaries. As a result they often suffer threats, enforced disappearance or killings. Guerrilla groups have also threatened or killed human rights defenders they consider to be siding with the enemy.
In September 2009, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, visited Colombia and concluded that “patterns of harassment and persecution against human rights defenders, and often their families, continue to exist in Colombia… I am in particular deeply concerned about the widespread phenomenon of threats from unknown authors against human rights defenders and their families”. She also expressed her “serious concern about the arbitrary arrests and detention (sometimes on a massive scale) of human rights defenders, as well as unfounded criminal proceedings brought against them.”
UA: 301/09 Index: AMR 23/027/2009 Issue Date: 09 November 2009
ACCIÓN URGENTE
LA FAMILIA DE UNA DEFENSORA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS, AMENAZADA
Las vidas de la defensora colombiana de los derechos humanos Ingrid Vergara y su familia se encuentran de nuevo amenazadas tras un ataque contra su casa. Ingrid Vergara ha estado documentando y sacando a la luz violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas por grupos paramilitares.
El 1 de diciembre, dos hombres armados irrumpieron en la casa de Ingrid Vergara en la ciudad de Sincelejo, en el departamento septentrional de Sucre, mientras la madre de Ingrid Vergara y su hija de 15 años, Cendy Torres Vergara, se encontraban en su interior. Los dos hombres obligaron a la madre de Ingrid Vergara a entrar en una habitación y le gritaron: “¿dónde está el dinero, dónde están los millones?”. A continuación, uno de ellos agarró a Cendy Torres por la garganta y le colocó en las espalda un objeto, que Cendy cree que era un arma. Los hombres gritaban: “¿Dónde esta la cámara? [...] No me mires, no me mires, que te vamos a matar aquí afuera”.
Los hombres registraron la habitación y arrancaron el disco duro a un ordenador perteneciente al Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado (MOVICE). Ingrid Vergara es una de las dirigentes de MOVICE. El disco duro contenía información sobre el trabajo que Ingrid ha estado llevando a cabo en relación con problemas de tierras, concretamente documentación para una reunión pública prevista para el 3 de diciembre. Los dos hombres se llevaron únicamente el disco duro, el monitor y 40.000 pesos colombianos (aproximadamente 20 dólares estadounidenses), pero ningún otro objeto de valor de los que estaban a plena vista. Cuando se marchaban, uno de ellos dijo: “ya no la mates, ya no la mates”.
Este incidente estuvo precedido en las semanas anteriores por amenazas y actos de intimidación contra Ingrid Vergara. El 20 de noviembre, la defensora recibió en su teléfono móvil una llamada, cuyo autor le dijo: “no te metas con la tierra”, y luego colgó tras un silencio. Cuando Ingrid Vergara marcó el número de procedencia de la llamada, resultó ser un teléfono público de Santa Catalina, un barrio de Sincelejo. Cinco días después, el 25 de noviembre, se hicieron dos llamadas más desde ese mismo número.
ESCRIBAN INMEDIATAMENTE, en español o en su propio idioma:
n expresando preocupación por la seguridad de Ingrid Vergara y su familia, e instando a las autoridades a garantizar dicha seguridad, de estricta conformidad con los deseos de las afectadas;
n pidiendo a las autoridades que ordenen una investigación exhaustiva e imparcial sobre el incidente del 1 de diciembre y las amenazas de muerte realizadas anteriormente contra Ingrid Vergara, su hija, Cendy Torres, y sus colegas; pidiendo que los resultados de la investigación se hagan públicos y que los responsables de esos hechos comparezcan ante la justicia;
n recordando a las autoridades que deben cumplir con sus obligaciones respecto a la situación de los defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos, conforme aparecen establecidas en la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Defensores de los Derechos Humanos, de 1998.
ENVÍEN LLAMAMIENTOS ANTES DEL 13 DE ENERO DE 2011 A:
Señor Vicepresidente Angelino Garzón
Vicepresidente de la República,
Palacio de Nariño
Carrera 8a No 7-57,
Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 444 2158
(digan: “Me da tono, por favor”)
Tratamiento:Excmo. Sr. VicepresidenteGarzón
Señor Germán Vargas Lleras
Ministerio del Interior y de Justicia
Carrera 9a. No. 14-10, Bogotá
Colombia
Fax: +57 1 599 8961
Tratamiento: Estimado Sr. Ministro Vargas
Y copia a:
Movice
Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado
Calle 38 No 28 A 30
Barrio Bogotá
Sincelejo, Colombia
Envíen también copia a la representación diplomática de Colombia acreditada en su país. Consulten con la oficina de su Sección si van a enviar los llamamientos después de la fecha antes indicada. Esta es la tercera actualización de AU 301/09. Más información: www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/027/2009/es, http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/007/2010/es y http://www.amnesty.org/es/library/info/AMR23/019/2010/es
ACCIÓN URGENTE
LA FAMILIA DE UNA DEFENSORA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS, AMENAZADA
INFORMACIÓN ADICIONAL
El 2 de abril de 2008, unos desconocidos amenazaron con matar a Cendy Torres, se supone que como represalia por el trabajo que su madre realiza como defensora de los derechos humanos. El 26 de octubre de 2009, Cendy Torres recibió una amenaza de muerte dirigida a Ingrid Vergara.
El 18 de mayo de 2010, Rogelio Martínez, uno de los dirigentes de MOVICE en el departamento de Sucre fue asesinado de un disparo. Había estado haciendo campaña por el derecho a la verdad, la justicia y la reparación para las comunidades desplazadas.
El 12 de octubre de 2010, Ingrid Vergara identificó un posible atentado contra su vida en la plaza de Majagual, en Sincelejo. Uno de sus guardaespaldas, proporcionados por el programa de protección del Ministerio del Interior, observó a tres hombres sospechosos que estaban cerca de Ingrid Vergara hablando de la ausencia de su segundo guardaespaldas. Cuando otros dos hombres se acercaron a Ingrid Vergara en una motocicleta, el guardaespaldas instó a Ingrid a abandonar rápidamente la plaza.
MOVICE es una amplia coalición de organizaciones de la sociedad civil que hace campaña por la verdad, la justicia y la reparación para las víctimas del largo conflicto armado interno de Colombia. Ingrid Vergara y sus colegas de MOVICE han documentado y sacado a la luz numerosos casos de homicidio y desaparición forzada a manos de las fuerzas de seguridad y grupos paramilitares en el departamento de Sucre.
El gobierno colombiano ha adoptado algunas medidas para proteger a Ingrid Vergara y Cendy Torres, entre ellas la provisión de guardaespaldas, un teléfono móvil y un vehículo, pero, al parecer las restricciones al uso de combustible han limitado la movilidad de Ingrid Vergara.
Los activistas que hacen campaña para que se devuelvan las tierras robadas por grupos paramilitares en el transcurso del conflicto han estado especialmente expuestos a amenazas y homicidios en los últimos años. La mayoría de estos ataques se atribuyen a grupos paramilitares. Los grupos de guerrilla también han atacado a defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos y a otros activistas sociales a los que consideran una amenaza para sus intereses.
Pese a las afirmaciones del gobierno de que todos los paramilitares se desmovilizaron en un programa promovido por el gobierno que se inició en 2003, estos grupos siguen actuando –en ocasiones, en connivencia con las fuerzas de seguridad o con su consentimiento– y cometiendo violaciones graves de derechos humanos contra defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos y otra población civil.
Más información sobre AU: 301/09 Índice: AMR 23/036/2010 Fecha de emisión: 03 de diciembre de 2010