The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Colombia.
Brief description of the situation:
The "Jose Alvear Restrepo" Lawyers' Corporation, a non governmental
human rights organisation, member of the network, has expressed its
grave concern over the murder of the governor of the indigenous
community of Sortija, Mr MEDARDO DUCUARA LEYTON on April 22nd 1997 by
members of the National Police of the Ortega municipality, department
of Tolima.
The Institute for Agrarian Reform, INCORA, gave the indigenous
community of Sortijo in 1992 land situated in the municipality of
Ortega, Tolima. It appeared that there were discussions about the
borders and Jose Veracruz Lozano, son of the landowner, called for the
intervention of the commandant of the Ortega Police Station, Sergeant
JESUS ANTONIO MARALUANDA BEDOYA, who attacked violently Mr DUCUARA
LEYTON. This provoked the reaction of the indigenous community present
at the spot. Sgt. JESUS ANTONIO MARULANDA BEDOYO drew his revolver and
fired several shots causing the death of the indigenous governor,
wounding his sister Ms CLARA DUCUARA and her son. (See case COL
300497.CC below)
CHILD CONCERN
Case COL 300497.CC
During these events, WILLIAM HUGO DUCUARA, aged 17, Ms CLARA DUCUARA's
son, was injured because of the shooting.
Action requested
Please write to the Colombian authorities urging them to:
i. ensure that Ms CLARA DUCUARA and her son WILLIAM HUGO DUCUARA
receive adequate medical assistance, guarantee their physical and
psychological integrity as well as that of the members of the
indigenous community of Sortija; ii. carry out an impartial and
thorough investigation into the murder of Mr MEDARDO DUCUARA LEYTON,
identify those responsible and impose upon them the civil, penal
and/or administrative sanctions provided by law; iii. ensure the right
of Mr MEDARDO DUCUARA LEYTON's family to an appropriate redress;
iv. put an end to the violence and other grave violations committed
against indigenous populations and peasant communities; v. guarantee
in all circumstances the full respect of human rights and fundamental
freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and
international standards.
Addresses:
S.E. Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano, Presidente de la Rep?blica, Palacio de
Nari?o, Santaf? de Bogot?, Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 284 21 86 E-mail:
esamper@presidencia.gov.co Dr. Luis Eduardo Montoya Medina, Procurador
General de la Naci?n, Carrera 5, N? 15-80, Santaf? de Bogot?. Fax (+
571) 284 04 72 ?/or 342 97 23 Dr. Carlos Vicente de Roux, Consejero
Presidencial para los Derechos Humanos, Palacio de Nari?o, Santaf? de
Bogota, Colombia. Fax (+ 571) 341 83 64 Dr. Jose Fernando Castro
Caycedo, Defensor del Pueblo, Fax (+ 571) 346 12 25 Dr. Juan Carlos
Esguerra Portocarrero, Ministro de Defensa, Fax (+ 571) 288 49 06
Dr. Horacio Serpa Uribe, Ministro del Interior, Ministerio del
Interior. Fax (+571) 251 58 84
Dr. Alfonso Valdivieso Sarmiento, Fiscal General de la Naci?n. Fax
(+571) 288 28 28
Geneva, April 30th 1997
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph 4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
The World Organisation Against Torture
omct@iprolink.ch
http://www.omct.org/