Colombian theologian harassed over human rights
-14/12/05
Lilia Solano Ramirez, a well
Colombian theologian harassed over human rights
-14/12/05
Lilia Solano Ramirez, a well known Colombian human rights activist and president of the Latin American Theological Fraternity, has been harassed by three people who identified themselves as police officers.
The home of the activist was closely searched while her 18-year-old son was threatened at gun point, tied up and locked in a room, according to the Latin American and Caribbean News Agency (ALCAN).
The incident took place last week. The attackers were two men and one woman. After insulting and threatening the young man and covering his face, they searched the house taking a computer hard drive, two mobile phones and a series of documents.
Lilia Solano, also president of the Evangelical Justice and Life Organizations, had received a series of threats last year because of her commitment to the National Movement of the Victims of State Crimes. She has denounced paramilitary groups in Colombia.
The events illustrate the lack of guarantees on the part of the Colombian government for toward those who defend human rights and who are participating in the current electoral race, said Justice and Life. The organization says that paramilitary groups are using their criminal apparatus to continue committing crimes.
It claimed that the gangs were gaining a stronger in the lists to elect the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives across different regions of the country.
Justice and Life has called on the national and international community to demand protection for human rights activities and candidates standing in opposition to the Alvaro Uribe government.
It wants the harassment of Dr Ramirez to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.
Colombia is one of the countries where Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has been active, in addition to Iraq where four of their number were kidnapped on 26 November 2005.
[Also on Ekklesia: Priest under death threat begins UK tour; Catholics begin initiative for peace in Columbia; Peace anchors Gospel witness, church leaders told; Christian peacemakers – inc. Colombia]
Colombian theologian harassed over human rights
-14/12/05
Lilia Solano Ramirez, a well known Colombian human rights activist and president of the Latin American Theological Fraternity, has been harassed by three people who identified themselves as police officers.
The home of the activist was closely searched while her 18-year-old son was threatened at gun point, tied up and locked in a room, according to the Latin American and Caribbean News Agency (ALCAN).
The incident took place last week. The attackers were two men and one woman. After insulting and threatening the young man and covering his face, they searched the house taking a computer hard drive, two mobile phones and a series of documents.
Lilia Solano, also president of the Evangelical Justice and Life Organizations, had received a series of threats last year because of her commitment to the National Movement of the Victims of State Crimes. She has denounced paramilitary groups in Colombia.
The events illustrate the lack of guarantees on the part of the Colombian government for toward those who defend human rights and who are participating in the current electoral race, said Justice and Life. The organization says that paramilitary groups are using their criminal apparatus to continue committing crimes.
It claimed that the gangs were gaining a stronger in the lists to elect the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives across different regions of the country.
Justice and Life has called on the national and international community to demand protection for human rights activities and candidates standing in opposition to the Alvaro Uribe government.
It wants the harassment of Dr Ramirez to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.
Colombia is one of the countries where Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has been active, in addition to Iraq where four of their number were kidnapped on 26 November 2005.
[Also on Ekklesia: Priest under death threat begins UK tour; Catholics begin initiative for peace in Columbia; Peace anchors Gospel witness, church leaders told; Christian peacemakers – inc. Colombia]