To All Living Things

Amnesty Action:
Fear for Safety
by Kathy Gay

his week VegSource presents another action on Colombia from Amnesty International.

The first action on Colombia presented here two weeks ago concerned the inhabitants of Media Luna. This week's action concerns the residents of Cazuca district, municipality of Soacha, on the outskirts of Santafe de Bogota.

A poster was recently placed in several public places in Cazuca district announcing the formation of a new paramilitary group in the area. The poster announced that "Due to the huge wave of insecurity, chaos and irreverence shaking our community, a group has been organized to keep watch over the security of the neighboring areas, which will act in benefit of the people. Its modus operandi: it will work to eliminate certain outbreaks of subversion that have been affecting the area." It continued: "Youngster, fulfill your duties as a citizen and behave yourself. Do not assemble late at night. You will regret it."

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of the residents of Cazuca district, municipality of Soacha. Residents have been told not to complain about things like public services, or face reprisals "of a military nature." As a result of intimidation by the paramilitary, several families have reportedly left the area.

In the past, paramilitary groups linked to the security forces have killed many young people in poor neighborhoods who happened to be out on the streets during the evening hours, accusing them of being delinquents or subversives.

Specific information about this action is included in the sample letter that follows.

Background Information

The poster that was recently posted in Cazuca district, municipality of Soacha, along with many cases of human rights abuses recently committed by paramilitary groups in Soacha, raises fears for the security of the inhabitants of the area. The population of Soacha and neighboring areas has been continuously terrorized since the appearance of the paramilitary groups in 1990.

In April of this year, paramilitary forces burned several houses in Soacha, stole property and killed several young people. On August 24, 1996, they reportedly killed youngsters in areas of the town being patrolled at the same time by the army who, according to the residents, were said to be "clearing the area for what was to come." Later, a paramilitary group entered a shop in Villa Mercedes, shouted abuse at some customers drinking beer and, when challenged, shot one of the customers. The man's son was also shot when he tried to intervene. Reportedly, when the paramilitary members realized that the man was not dead, they beat him to death with a truncheon. The paramilitary group then went to another shop, and even more casualties occurred. Unconfirmed reports placed the total number of deaths at twelve. Since then, the killings, threats and other attacks have continued, but the local population is often too afraid to report such incidents to authorities.

Complaints made to the Fiscalia General de la Nacion, Attorney General's Office, the Office of the Governor of Cundinamarca, the Office of the Mayor of Soacha and the Town Council of Soacha, both about the threats and specific human rights violations, have so far not resulted in any apparent attempt by the authorities to dismantle paramilitary groups operating in the municipality or to detain those responsible for human rights violations.

Paramilitary groups, although declared illegal in 1989, continue to work with the support of the security forces in many areas of Colombia, despite government pledges to protect human rights and dismantle such groups. Members of the security forces, together with their paramilitary allies, continue to commit serious violations with virtual impunity.

How you can help

This action expired on December 31, 1996, and its accompanying sample letter removed. Thanks to everyone who sent letters to government officials in Colombia on behalf of the people who live in the Cazuca district of Soacha.

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Kathy Gay is a vegan, and has been a member of Amnesty International for nearly 10 years, where she has worked on numerous campaigns. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a business analyst for a leading California bank.

Kathy's column, To All Living Things, is a regular feature of VegSource On-Line Magazine.