Colombia: Revelan primera hipótesis del asesinato de abogada Yamile Guerra, en Santander

21/07/19

Además de ser profesional en derecho, era una líder política y defensora del páramo del Santurbán. Ya se abrió investigación por el crimen.

El asesinato de esta mujer es tendencia este domingo en redes sociales. El crimen tuvo lugar este sábado en el barrio Mirador de la Hacienda, municipio de Floridablanca.

Yamile recibió dos disparos que le produjeron la muerte. Según RCN Radio, una de las primeras hipótesis sobre el hecho apuntan a que el crimen se podría relacionar con un litigio de tierras que se realiza en ese municipio de Santander.

“Eso fue por ese pleito de tierras en la hacienda Zapamanga, la hacienda de su padre, quien también fue víctima de la violencia”, aseguró Gerardo Martínez, amigo de la víctima citado por RCN Radio.

Semana, por su parte, exalta que Yamile Guerra era reconocida por su labor política en ese departamento. Se había desempeñado como directora de la Casa de Santander en Bogotá y ahora litigaba en un caso de invasión de urbanizadores piratas en el barrio Zapamanga, de ese mismo municipio.

Más detalles sobre el crimen los dio a conocer el secretario del Interior de Floridablanca, Ricardo Arciniegas, y dan cuenta que la víctima tuvo una cita con dos hombres en un predio cercano a Zapamangas y dar inicio a conversaciones para llegar a un acuerdo en ese mismo proceso.

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https://www.pulzo.com/nacion/por-que-asesinaron-abogada-yamile-guerra-santander-PP736377

https://caracol.com.co/emisora/2019/07/21/bucaramanga/1563665806_634232.html

https://www.elespectador.com/noticias/judicial/asesinan-lider-politica-y-abogada-de-santander-yamile-guerra-articulo-872087

https://www.notimerica.com/sociedad/noticia-asesinan-yamile-guerra-abogada-encargaba-litigio-tierras-santander-colombia-20190721195349.html

https://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/321750-colombia-matar-disparos-abogada-activista-yamile-guerra

Alrededor de 500 lideres sociales han sido asesinados en los últimos años

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/lawyers-and-judges-on-the-front-lines-of-the-peace-process-in-colombia (ENGLISH)

Colombia: Award for human rights defenders by PBI UK to Kenyan and Colombian defenders

June 23, 2019

Kenyan social justice activist Naomi Barasa and Colombian human rights lawyer Daniel Prado have won the first annual Henry Brooke Awards for Human Rights Defenders, created in 2018 by PBI UK and pro bono legal network the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk.

These awards are in honour of the life and legacy of Sir Henry Brooke – barrister at Fountain Court Chambers, founder of the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk and patron of PBI UK – who passed away in January 2018. They are presented annually to defenders who encapsulate the qualities Sir Henry most admired and reflected in his own life: selflessness, courage, and commitment to seeking justice for the oppressed and the marginalised. The award winners were selected by a panel of leading figures from the UK legal and human rights communities.

…

Daniel Prado was selected as an example of a lawyer who has defied huge personal risk in order to pursue justice for the victims of human rights violations, oppose impunity and defend the rights of marginalised communities against powerful interests. He began his career by providing legal support to the family members of victims of enforced disappearance in the early 1990s and currently works with the Colombian NGO the Inter-Church Justice and Peace Commission (CIJP). Among other emblematic cases, Daniel represents victims of paramilitarism in the case of Los Doce Apóstoles (The Twelve Apostles), in which Santiago Uribe, brother of former President and Senator Alvaro Uribe Velez, stands accused of creating paramilitary groups responsible for more than 500 murders. Daniel’s involvement in this and other high-profile cases has seen him exposed to death threats, harassment and a public campaign of defamation and slander. Speaking of his work, he has said: “The risks in Colombia are unstoppable. I have taken many cases that have had consequences for a lot of people… we live in a constant state of anxiety about what can happen to us.”

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Award for human rights defenders by PBI UK to Kenyan and Colombian defenders

http://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/awards/henry-brooke-awards-for-human-rights-defenders

2018 Sir Henry Brooke Award winner calls for civilian rule in Sudan

https://peacebrigades.org.uk/

https://www.elespectador.com/colombia2020/justicia/jep/el-mayor-meneses-debe-contar-en-la-jep-la-alianza-entre-estado-y-paras-daniel-prado-articulo-857889 (ESPANOL)

https://www.elsaltodiario.com/colombia/daniel-prado-paramilitares-llegaron-tener-presidente-colombia-uribe-12-apostoles (ESPANOL)

⁦@sashazernova⁩ at ⁦@Col_Caravana⁩ AGM reports on her trial observation with ⁦@Kirsty_Brimelow⁩ supporting Daniel Prado at trial of exPresident Uribe brother relating to 500 murders and importance of international monitoring to protect Colombian lawyers + judges pic.twitter.com/XYYTeosGUH

— Sue Willman (@SueWillman) February 18, 2019

RT ABColombia1: ABColombia, Col_Caravana BarHumanRights & several other organisations sent a letter to #Colombia President #IvanDuque raising concerns about threats against #HumanRights Lawyer Daniel Prado from ABColombia partner Justiciaypazcol |CAID_Co… https://t.co/pTuPiaOOL4

— Restitucion Colombia (@RestitucionC) December 15, 2018

Colombia: Human rights lawyer Paula Rocero murdered in southern Colombia

May 22, 2019

A human rights lawyer was murdered in southern Colombia on Monday. Paula Rocero was shot several times by motorcyclists as she was driving home in Samaniego, department of Nariño. The 47-year-old was transported to hospital but died shortly afterwards.

Paula had been given protection measures in 2016 after receiving threats over her work in defence of human rights and targeting corruption in Samaniego. She was employed by the civil government in Nariño and provided representation to communities in the region.

The United Nations Human Rights office in Colombia denounced the killing. ‘We trust there will be prompt investigation, prosecution and punishment of those responsible. Our solidarity with her family, friends and institutions in these sad moments’, it tweeted.

Nariño has been heavily impacted by targeted killings of activists and community leaders since the peace agreement was signed in November 2016. The region has historically had high presence of armed groups due to the minimal state presence and its geographical value for illicit activity.

Human rights lawyer Paula Rocero murdered in southern Colombia

Even a human rights lawyer working for the government in Colombia is not safe

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/human-rights-lawyer-shot-dead-in-colombia-/5070380.article

https://www.contagioradio.com/asesinan-a-paula-rocero-personera-y-defensora-de-dd-hh-en-samaniego-narino/ (ESPANOL)

https://kaosenlared.net/colombia-asesinan-a-paula-rocero-personera-y-defensora-de-ddhh-en-samaniego-narino/ (ESPANOL)

(L’Observatoire des Avocats Facebook, 26/05/19)

We mourn the assassination of human rights lawyer Paula Rocero in Colombia this past Monday. More than 400 lawyers were killed in Colombia between 1991 and 2009. Human rights defenders continue to be killed. @PBIColombia @ccalcp @LRWCanada @LawUnionOntario Photo by @William_Garra pic.twitter.com/eEAgv3gHHW

— Peace Brigades International – Canada (@PBIcanada) May 22, 2019

Colombia/UK: Human rights and the rule of law in South America examined

April 29, 2019

On 30 April 2019, the Law Society’s international human rights adviser, Dr. Marina Brilman, gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on the rule of law and human rights in South America. The Law Society submitted written evidence in November 2018. The main subjects addressed in the session were:

• Regional challenges to the Inter-American system of human rights by PROSUR member states and lack of financing
• The rise in attacks against lawyers and human rights defenders in Colombia, especially after the signing of the peace agreemen

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https://bit.ly/2vCdd8h

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/global-britain-south-america-2-evidence-17-19/

Colombia/UK: International lawyers observe “12 Apostles” trial of Santiago Uribe Vélez

April 11, 2019

Representatives from the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Colombian Caravana (UK) have returned to Medellin to continue observing the trial of Santiago Uribe Vélez, the brother of former President and current Senator, Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Santiago Uribe is accused of heading a paramilitary group in North Antioquia during the early 1990s that became known as the “12 Apostles”.  He also is charged with the murder of bus driver, Camilo Barrientos Durán, in 1994.  During its existence, the 12 Apostles sought to carry out what many have referred to as ‘social cleansing’ – eliminating those considered ‘undesirable’ to the group such as sex workers and drug addicts. In addition, the group targeted members and supporters of guerrilla groups. The group is considered to be responsible for over 500 murders and disappearances during this period.

International observation missions were organised following evidence of threats and intimidation to lawyers and witnesses in the case. Daniel Prado, lawyer to the victims of the case, has been granted precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (Medida cautelar N° 261-16 of 20 November 2017), which stated that “the rights to life and personal integrity of Mr. Daniel Ernesto Prado Albarracín are at grave risk.” We understand that, although the National Protection Unit (Unidad Nacional de Protección) provided him with a car as a security measure, it does not have reinforced windows which means that it does not provide adequate protection.

The mission has been informed about serious attempts having been made to undermine the work of the prosecution. It is reported that in November 2017 a plan was uncovered to murder Olwan de Jésus Agudelo Betancurt, one of the witnesses in the case.

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https://preview.mailerlite.com/b1t2k6/1131637732708192920/z6w9/

https://www.abcolombia.org.uk/case-los-doce-apostoles-human-rights-lawyer-at-risk/

https://peacebrigades.org.uk/daniel-prado-colombia

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/law-society-expresses-grave-concerns-regarding-human-rights-violations-against-members-of-legal-profession-886341166.html

http://www.colombiancaravana.org.uk/trial-observation-12-apostles-case-press-release-nota-de-prensa/

http://www.advocates.org.uk/news-and-responses/news/2018/dec/faculty-observer-at-twelve-apostles-trial-in-colombia

http://www.lawyersatrisk.org/

https://www.fidh.org/es/temas/defensores-de-derechos-humanos/colombia-campana-de-ataques-intimidacion-y-amenazas-en-contra-del-sr (ESPANOL)

https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Ameriques/Daniel-Prado-justice-paix-2018-12-05-1200987560 (FRANCAIS)

https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/le-barreau-tres-preoccupe-par-les-violations-des-droits-de-la-personne-a-l-encontre-de-membres-de-la-profession-juridique-845161362.html (FRANCAIS)

#DeVer Los #12Apóstoles las presiones,la estrategia de las mentiras mediáticas para desvirtuar las verdades judiciales,el estado de opinión para asegurar impunidad y mentira histórica.Entrevista con Daniel Prado @ernesto_prado abogado asociado @Justiciaypazcol en @VerdadAbierta https://t.co/SqPWKBLNDd

— Comisión Justicia y Paz (@Justiciaypazcol) April 10, 2019

#DeVer Garantías a
Daniel Prado abogado asociado a @Justiciaypazcol caso #12Apóstoles vía @OBS_defenders https://t.co/MirRPjSKdS

— Comisión Justicia y Paz (@Justiciaypazcol) April 2, 2019

Colombia: Guest blog: Julia Lowis on human rights in Colombia

April 4, 2019

International delegation heads to Colombia to observe the trial of Santiago Uribe Velez in the “12 Apostles” case

An international delegation of lawyers comprising the Colombia Caravana (UK), the Bar Human Rights Committee (England & Wales) and supported by the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk is in Colombia this week to observe final hearings in the case of ‘Los Doce Apostoles’.  The main defendant is Santiago Uribe Velez, brother of former President and current Senator Alvaro Uribe Velez, who stands accused of co-founding the paramilitary group ‘Los Doce Apostoles’ and for the murder of bus driver Camilo Barrientos Duran, allegedly murdered by the group in 1994 in Antioquia.

The victims are represented by Daniel Prado Albarracin, a Colombian human rights lawyer who has represented families of enforced disappearance since the early 1990s.  Despite the adoption of the Colombian peace accord in November 2016,’in Colombia, being a human rights defender is a high-risk occupation’: since 2016 there has been an increase in the killings of human rights defenders, to an estimated rate of one in every three days.  These risks are particularly prevalent in the case of lawyers like Prado who seek justice for victims of the armed conflict and fight to pierce the culture of impunity which has surrounded systematic human rights violations for decades.

Colombia is bound by the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, the ICCPR and the ACHR, all of which impose obligations on the State to protect defenders from violations of their rights to physical integrity and private life in the exercise of their professional functions.

…

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-centre/bar-blog/contributing-writers/2019/april/guest-blog-julia-lowis-on-human-rights-in-colombia/?dm_i=4CGD%2CJ88B%2C4THRXM%2C28A6O%2C1&fbclid=IwAR0VzDCS_h6xt2y4WK9pLLUFlP00tyXw6CwHLG7O_5B1bHnSxqg4r5FRM1Q

http://www.colombiancaravana.org.uk/colombia-seeking-justice-building-peace-post-conflict-illusion-report-sixth-international-caravana-jurist/

http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/colombia/2019/04/d25299/ (ESPANOL)

Colombia: Report Caravana mission 2018

March 26, 2019

The International Caravana of Jurists travelled to Colombia at the beginning of September 2018, to ascertain the impact that the peace process has had on the work of human rights lawyers and the dynamics of the conflict. A report of the mission is now available.

 

Since 2008, the Caravana has organised six international biannual delegations to Colombia in fact-finding missions to monitor the situation of human rights defenders, specifically on access to justice and respect for the rule of law.

The Sixth delegation of the International Caravana of Jurists visited Colombia shortly after the inauguration of President Iván Duque. At a time when the peace process hangs in the balance and violence escalating dramatically across Colombia, the delegation met with lawyers and judges working both within and outside state institutions and heard directly from victims and activists about the situations of risk which they face.

Since the signing of the Peace Agreement in November 2016, hundreds of human rights defenders have been killed and the UN has called for decisive action to stem the tide of violence enveloping many regions. Colombian’s official state Ombudsman has reported that a human rights defender is killed every three days.

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https://lawyersforlawyers.org/en/report-caravana-mission-2018/

http://www.colombiancaravana.org.uk/colombia-seeking-justice-building-peace-post-conflict-illusion-report-sixth-international-caravana-jurist/

https://fliphtml5.com/asev/akvj