A-Infos (en) Britain, Aanarchist journal Direct Action #40 - comment - International: 1) Colombian Embassy picketed

As detailed in the last issue of Direct Action the threat of the death squad is 
a daily reality for any Colombian worker bold enough to stand up to corporate 
exploitation. As part of an international day of solidarity called by the 
International Workers Association, Friday 20th July (Colombian 'national 
independence' day) saw members of South London, and North & East London 
Solidarity Federation groups picketing the Colombian embassy (3 Hans Crescent, 
London SW1). ---- The following text was distributed: ---- "Colombia: Poverty, 
Terror and Profit ---- * 67% living below poverty line ---- * 4,000 trades 
unionists killed ---- * Multinationals profit ---- * UK gives military aid

According to the United Nations, 60% of Colombia's population lived below the 
poverty line in 1995. This had risen to 67% by 2001. During the same period 
inequality increased leaving the richest 10% of the population earning 60 times 
more than the poorest 10%.

Since 1988 4,000 trades union leaders have been killed by right-wing 
paramilitaries, creating a climate of terror which suits the interests of the 
state and multinational corporations but for which these can deny responsibility.

Human Rights Watch cites 'abundant, credible evidence of continued collaboration 
with and support for paramilitary groups responsible for most human rights 
violations' by Colombian state security and armed forces. Under Plan Colombia, 
the United States has given Colombia $1.3bn in military aid, allegedly to fight 
the War on Drugs.

UK involvement

The UK government has also given military aid to Colombia since 2003, including 
training for the Colombian armed forces. It refuses to disclose details of this 
training making its claims that this is in no way linked to human rights abuses 
difficult to verify. Nevertheless, in 2004 it claimed that 'there has been 
progress in improving the human rights situation'.

Just weeks after this declaration three trades unionists were killed by the 
Colombian army. The UK government has also refused to support an International 
Labour Organisation Commission of Inquiry into the murder of trades unionists in 
Colombia.

It is no coincidence that British multinationals such as BP and Anglo American 
make huge profits in Colombia. There are estimated to be between 30,000 and 
50,000 Colombians living in the UK. Most are fleeing poverty and violence, 
although the government often refuses to recognise that people fleeing 
paramilitary violence are genuine refugees."

For more information on the situation in Colombia see the links on the SolFed 
web site: http://www.solfed.org.uk/colombia/index.htm
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