Peace and Justice for Colombia

CALL FOR ACTION:

TO ALL DEFENDERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE LOVING PEOPLE

Peace and Justice for Colombia (PJFC) calls on you to protest recent actions by Australian and Colombian police agencies that violated the human rights and prisoner conventions of labour activist and political prisoner, Liliany Obando. We denounce the attempts by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to obtain information on organizations and individuals that Ms Obando met while touring Australia. This is an attempt to internationalize the so-called FARC-Politics and criminalize international solidarity.[...]

Peace and Justice for Colombia believes that the use of Australian tax payers money by the AFP in this particular matter, not only violates the rights of a Colombian citizen which are guaranteed in the Colombian constitution but it also supports the Uribe regime’s attacks on the Colombian people in particularly the political opposition. This action attempts to criminalize the international solidarity expressed by Australian trade unionists, individuals and religious and community organizations. Read more..

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Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network statement on the harassment to political prisoners

On September 2, 2009, Liliany Obando was visited by David Nelson of the Australian Federal Police (AFP),together with Oscar Leonel Ochoa and Diana Marlene Plaza, both employees of Colombian National Intelligence Agency (DAS). Obando was arrested and jailed on August 8, 2008, charged with two counts of rebellion and managing funds for a terrorist organization. Read more...

Peace and Justice for Colombia & Free Liliany Obando Campaign (Melbourne) present:

Thursday 6th of August, 6:00pm

@ Melbourne University Student Union, Members′ lounge (Ground Floor, enter via Tin Alley, Parkville).

Entry by donation

Minga means “collective” or “community work”. In this session we will hear about the different social movements in Colombia, from the indigenous struggle for self determination, the Afro-Colombian opposition to forced displacement and against free-trade agreements, the people´s movement for peace with social justice.

With the participation of a Colombian Academic & member of Peace & Justice for Colombia

Plus footage & video.

After the presentation, the Free Liliany Campaign (Melbourne) invites you to share a “Coffee for Freedom”, to hear some updates about Liliany´s case and to send our solidarity to Liliany, her family and other political prisoners suffering injustice.

On August 7th, 2008, the Union leader, academic & film-maker Liliany Obando, was arrested by Colombian government forces. She was detained on charges of “rebellion” against the state, a catch-all charge that is regularly used to imprison those who speak out against the government & is used to delegitimise the work of social activists. Her trial stated at the beginning of July and the charges remain unsubstantiated.

Drink hot organic coffee. All donations will go to the “Freedom Fund” in support of Colombian political prisoners.

Further details call: Sergio 0432 956 198 or Lulu 0421 957 341

Find the event on Facebook

www.colombiasolidarity.net   www.freeliliany.net

MARCH ACTIVITIES:

International women’s day/ Día Internacional de la mujer

On this International Women’s Day, Peace and Justice for Colombia sends its greetings to Liliany, all women political prisoners and all women in the struggle for a better society for those who they love.
You are not alone in your struggle.
From behind the bars, will emerge flowers and doves for the new society.
Long live women! Freedom for all political prisoners!

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En este Día Internacional de la mujer, Paz y Justicia para Colombia envía sus más profundos saludos a Liliany, a todas la presas políticas y a todas las mujeres que luchan por una sociedad mejor para aquellos a quienes aman.

No están solas. De las rejas nacerán flores y palomas de libertad para una nueva sociedad.

Vivan las mujeres!

Libertad para las presas políticas!

En el día internacional de la mujer:       On international women’s day:

ACTIVITIES:

Western Australia

Is Peace possible in Colombia?

Thursday 12th of February, 6pm at the Colo Colo Soccer Club (Fremantle Park, Ellen St., Fremantle)

Guest Speaker: Dr Oliver Villar, speaks about Colombia today and the origins of this longest social conflict in Latin America.

Featuring: "In the Steps of the Resistance", a fil by political prisoner Liliany Obando

Organised by the Free Liliany Support Group, WA

For more info, contact 0419812872

PUBLICATIONS:

Union solidarity with the campaign

Maritime Union of Australia, public campaign

By Maritime Union of Australia - Sydney Branch

Ms Obando has been detained on charges of "rebellion" against the state, a catch-all charge that is regularly used to imprison those who speak out against the government for long periods without trial. 'Rebellion' also allows the regime to smear those accused of it as being 'terrorists' and helps to delegitimise their work.

The Sydney Branch has written to the Colombian authorities in solidarity with Liliany. The Branch letter says, "Our union is shocked and horrified at the recent arrest of Liliany Obando and calls upon your Government to release her unconditionally. Ms Obando has visited our organisation in connection with her work with peasant associations as a member of the peak union council Fensuagro - CUT on two occasions and related to us the position in Colombia and has on every occasion advocated openly and with great sincerity peaceful solutions to difficulties facing the people of Colombia.

We demand her immediate release from custody, the dropping of all the charges against her and for the government of Colombia to guarantee her safety.

It is clear to us that the all encompassing charge of "rebellion" is but a smokescreen for what appears to be arbitrary and indiscriminate detention of anyone who dares to challenge via peaceful means or not the absolute authority of the Colombian Government.

We will be making representations to the highest international authorities and bodies in an effort to highlight and publicise Ms Obando's detention as well as campaigning locally and internationally to secure justice for Ms Obando.

We are hopeful that the Colombian Government will act responsibly in facilitating Ms Obando's release at the earliest convenience."

Solidarity organisation "Peace and Justice for Colombia" (PJFC),has released an update which can be downloaded as a pdf file below.