Excmo. Sr. Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia
Sr. Fiscal General Néstor Humberto Martínez Neira, Attorney General of Colombia
May 22, 2017
Dear Sirs:
We are extremely concerned about paramilitary actions that are threatening villagers in the rural areas of Remedios, a municipality in Antioquia Department. Ricaurte García, a human rights defender working with CAHUCOPANA (Humanitarian Action Corporation for Coexistence and Peace of Northeast Antioquia), is being sought by paramilitaries.
A recent arson signaled a threat to residents in the hamlet of Mina Nueva, of the village of Panama Nueve in Remedios. At 5am on May 7, unidentified persons completely incinerated a local bar. Fortunately, no persons were injured. The fire did, however, destroy all goods stored in the establishment and damaged the electrical network of the village. A month ago, the owners of the establishment were awakened by a low intensity explosion, which damaged the infrastructure and an assortment of items. The owners fled the village.
Another event that has shaken the local population is the presence of paramilitaries who, with a list in hand, are searching for specific persons in the region, including Ricaurte García of CAHUCOPANA. It is of great concern that paramilitaries are offering reward money for information on his whereabouts. Because of this threatening situation, Ricuarte García has fled with his family; CAHUCOPANA is seeking support for their relocation.
CAHUCOPANA has seen the increase and strengthening of paramilitary structures since 2016. CAHUCOPANA has repeatedly denounced the displacement of families in the region ranging from the municipality of El Bagre to Remedios. Paramilitary groups have brought threats and attacks to the people there. The persecution of social leaders and human rights defenders is occurring in the context of a dispute for territorial control in areas which previously had a strong presence of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).
In light of these threats to human rights leaders and communities in the northeast of Antioquia, we strongly urge you to
- carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the arson in Minua Nueva on May 7, publish the results, and bring those responsible to justice
- take all necessary measures to protect Ricaurte García and other CAHUCOPANA leaders and their families, in strict accordance with their wishes
- take immediate action to dismantle paramilitary groups, in line with stated government commitments and recommendations made by the UN and other intergovernmental organizations.
Sincerely,
Brian J. Stefan Szittai and Christine Stonebraker-Martínez
IRTF Co-Coordinators
