By Jacob Richards
The following is based on reports given to us by a number of Activists.
On 19th of August 2013 the Colombian farmer’s associations together with transport workers, health workers, miners and student called a national strike. The strike was based on opposition to the neo-liberal policies being pursued by Columbia’s current government and which have meant disaster on the most vulnerable sections of society. The Protesters took to the streets to voice their concerns over the current government’s agenda of privatization and deal brokering with the US and EU over free trade agreements.
In defiance the Government of Juan Manuel Santos has responded through the use of the Columbian Military while the mainstream media has of course demonised those which have protested. The authorities are cracking down on protesters by invoking a controversial law whereby draconian sentence can be passed to those deemed ‘obstructing the roads’ thus encompassing anyone who has taken to the streets. Reports also suggest that the authorities are detaining some journalists reporting the conflict and confiscating their equipment.
Reports also suggest much more serious goings-on with the Military allegedly attacking protesters with tear gas, rubber bullets, even live ammunition and a number of Citizen’s being wounded during the crackdown. This is in stark contrast to the rhetoric of President Santos who had said previously that his government would be respectful of the rights of protestors.
In response a number of activists have called for an outcry against the Columbian government to cease its crackdown on ordinary Columbian workers and citizen’s. In an Irish context they have been asking those concerned to get in touch with both our own Taniaste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore and indeed the British Embassy in Ireland asking them to highlight their concerns on the international forum. Their demands are as follows,
- An Immediate end to repression and to the use of violence by Colombian authorities against the legitimate protest of organised civil society;
- Respect to the right to assembly, movement and peaceful protest for all Colombian citizens;
- That police and army guarantee the safety of those protesting instead of robbing them, confiscating and damaging their property and attacking them indiscriminately;
- Liberation to everyone detained under the repressive Law of Citizens’ Security;
- A negotiated solution to the plight of civil society organisations who have joined the demonstrations; welcoming dialogue, not repression.
The demands are quite reasonable and only seek to remedy the plight of Colombian protesters voicing their concerns over the direction of the country as it follows the neo-liberal agenda. We can show our support to these demonstrators by contracting the Tanaiste and British embassy outlining the above demands and seeking condemnation for the Colombian Government’s actions. These workers, like us, suffer at the hands of neo-liberal economics. Let us stand behind them.
If you are interested in contacting the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore please email him at eamon.glimore@oir.ie or write to Office of An Tanaiste, Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 80 St Stephen’s Green Dublin 2 or call 01 4082000.
To contact the British Ambassador to Ireland please write to Ambassador Chillcott at the British Embassy Ireland, 29 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.