We, the Congreso de los Pueblos — a Colombian social movement seeking to build popular power and dignity in life — are suffering a new wave of arbitrary detentions of our leaders. In less than twelve hours, three comrades and social leaders have been unjustly arrested across different regions of Colombia. All three are land defenders, peasant men who have dedicated their lives to their communities, struggling for el buen vivir through building popular power.
From la Red de Hermandad y Solidaridad con Colombia we denounce the detentions that took place on Tuesday December 15, 2020 of three of our members TEOÓFILO ACUÑA and ADELSO GALLO, and at 3 AM on Wednesday 16th ROBERT DAZA , the three of them arespokespersons of the Agrarian, Peasant, Ethnic and People’s Summit. [SIGN ONLINE]
The 62 social organizations that sign this document demand that the government take actions to guarantee protection of the integrity and health of the population deprived of liberty in the penitentiary and prison systems. Shots and assaults have been used since 9.30 p.m on March 21, 2020 against people who are demanding effective sanitary measures which will prevent them from being infected with the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome Sars-Cov 2 (COVID-19).
Julian Gil is a political prisoner, member of Congreso de los Pueblos and Red de Hermandad. He has been detained since June 6, 2018, waiting for his trial, because of a judiciary frame-up. PASC supports the international campaign for his immediate release. He writes regularly about the reality he observes from his cell.
Dana Farraj is Palestinian. She studied law in her country and did a four-month internship in Colombia with Equipo Jurídico Pueblos. Dana is part of the Palestinian movement known as PULSE (Palestinian people united for freedom, solidarity, and emancipation), which in turn is a component of a youth forum called Nabd. In the formal presentation of PULSE, “the need arises for convergent initiatives and movements that fight for freedom and justice against oppression, exploitation, and discrimination around the world.
Les mesures d’austérité imposées par le gouvernement Couillard au milieu carcéral résultent en des conditions de vie devenues insupportables. On nous traite comme des chien.ne.s dont la vie ne vaut rien. Le gouvernement coupe dans les budgets de l’administration, et celle-ci se fait une joie de nous refiler la facture. Nous n’avons pas les grands syndicats nationaux pour défendre notre intérêt, pas de gens payé.e.s pour mener des campagnes de mobilisation en notre nom, pas personne pour nous défendre à notre place.
