Colombia: Education Sector Prey to Constant Threats and Assassinations

[Judi Lynn]

Source: International Trade Union Confederation

Colombia: Education Sector Prey to Constant Threats and Assassinations

12 May 2010 Violence is reaching a peak in Colombia. Since 28 January of this year, no fewer than four teachers affiliated to the teachers’ association of Cordoba, ADEMACOR, have been assassinated in the Department of Cordoba. The ITUC, together with its Colombian affiliates, CUT, CGT and CTC, have strongly denounced and condemned these murders as well as the constant threats against the leaders and headquarters of the teachers’ association of Antioquia, ADIDA.
According to the information received by the ITUC, Overto Beltrán Narváez, Rigoberto Polo Contreras, Elkin Eduardo González and Benito Díaz Álvarez were all killed by unknown assailants close to their workplaces. The president of ADIDA, Over Dorado Cardona, was also the victim of an armed attack, which he fortunately escaped unharmed.

During the month of April alone, ADIDA has denounced the murder of two of its members, the attempt on the life of the union’s president, the systematic threats against 59 teachers and the harassment during the march of 15 April, at which an official from the Criminal Investigations Department (SIJIN) filmed the speech of Over Dorado.

In a letter to the Colombian authorities, the ITUC urged President Álvaro Uribe, his government, and the relevant departmental and municipal authorities, to take every action necessary to ensure that these incidents are investigated and that all those responsible for these crimes are identified and brought to justice. The ITUC also called for the immediate and effective protection of the teachers under threat as well as the protection of the ADIDA headquarters. .


Read more: http://www.ituc-csi.org/colombia-education-sector-prey-to.html

[denverbill]

1. Well, at least teacher's union members aren't assassinated here, yet.

I feel so hopeless sometimes.

[mackerel]

2. Contrary to what the Bush & Obama administrations are saying

it appears that Colombia is in complete turmoil.

The Mafia and Colombian cartels, using a convent as cover -

http://www.ituc-csi.org/colombia-education-sector-prey-to.html

[mackerel]

3. Sorry

I meant to post this:

http://www.news.com.au/world/drug-ring-in-nunnery-busted/story-e6frfkyi-1225865793073

[Union Yes]

4. The only choice the people of Colombia have left is to rise up and overthrow Uribe's Fascist govt.

The people of Colombia need a Che-like warrior to rise up and lead them.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Colombia: wave of deadly attacks on education workers

Colombia: wave of deadly attacks on education workers

Submitted by WW4 Report on Fri, 05/14/2010 - 20:39. Anti-labor violence is again reaching a peak in Colombia, with four education workers affiliated to the Teachers' Association of Córdoba (ADEMACOR) assassinated in the northern coastal department since Jan. 28. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), together with its Colombian affiliates, has strongly condemned these murders, noting that they have been simultaneous with a wave of threats and attacks against the leaders of the Teachers' Association of Antioquia (ADIDA).

According to the information received by the ITUC, Overto Beltrán Narváez, Rigoberto Polo Contreras, Elkin Eduardo González and Benito Díaz Álvarez were all killed by unknown assailants close to their workplaces in Córdoba department.

The president of ADIDA, Over Dorado Cardona, was also the victim of an armed attack, which he managed to escape unharmed. During the month of April alone, ADIDA has reported the murder of two of its members, threats against 59 teachers, and the police harassment during a march in Medellín on April 15, at which an official from the Criminal Investigations Department (SIJIN) filmed the speech of Over Dorado.

In a letter to the Colombian authorities, the ITUC urged President Álvaro Uribe to take every action to ensure that these incidents are investigated and that all those responsible for these crimes are identified and brought to justice. "The deep-rooted violence against trade unionists in Colombia is unacceptable," reiterated ITUC general secretary Guy Ryder. (ITUC, May 12)

http://www.ww4report.com/node/8619