Help support human rights defenders

Tom Hedley, Chair of Amnesty International UK (AI) told a recent UNISON Fife meeting that UNISON and AI can work together to prevent human rights abuses. He highlighted the cases of trade unionists who have been targeted by governments and multi-national companies for organising.

"Where human rights are abused trade unionists are often in the front line - being murdered or imprisoned because they stand up for workers rights", said Tom.

"Most of these people are ordinary men and women. Their commitment to trade union ideals - freedoms we take for granted in the UK - can make them prime targets of government repression. As a result they continue, throughout the world, to face banning of their organisations, harassment, political killings and 'disappearances', arbitrary detention, torture, exile and murder."

Many, but by no means all, UNISON branches are affiliated to AI's Trade Union Network and Tom is keen to develop this. Amnesty have also had recent talks with UNISON's International Section about working more closely together on areas where there is common concern.

More information on how to affiliate and get involved is available at www.amnesty.org.uk or from Alison Cosgrove of UNISON's Scottish International Committee (01620-827246; acosgrove@eastlothian.gov.uk).

Samuel Morales and Raquel Castro

One of the cases highlighted by Tom was Samuel Morales and Raquel Castro. Colombia remains the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist.

Amnesty International UK and its Trade Union Network is campaigning to defend the human rights of trade unionists in Colombia, and to call on the Colombian government to take urgent steps to end impunity for human rights violations.

On 5 August 2004 trade union activists Samuel Morales and Raquel Castro were arrested by the Colombian army. In the same operation, three other trade unionists - Héctor Alirio Martínez, Leonel Goyeneche, and Jorge Prieto - were shot and killed.

According to the armed forces, the trade unionists - who they allege were members of the National Liberation Army armed group - opened fire on the soldiers and were killed in combat.

On 3 January 2005, charges of 'rebellion' (ie collaborating with armed opposition groups) were brought against Samuel and Raquel. Pre-trial court hearings began in the second half of 2005 to determine whether trials should go ahead. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the three trade unionists were killed by troops out-of-combat.

In July 2005 four soldiers and one civilian were charged with the killing. Samuel Morales, a former teacher, is regional president of the Colombian Trade Union Confederation (CUT) in Arauca, and a member of the Regional Human Rights Committee Joel Sierra, an independent organisation that denounces human rights abuses.

Raquel Castro is a member of the Teachers' Association of Arauca (ASEDAR), whose leaders have been the target of raids and arbitrary detentions by the security forces, repeated death threats and killings by army-backed paramilitaries.

On 19 August 2003 arrest warrants had been issued for the three trade unionists killed. Amnesty International fears that Samuel and Raquel's arrest and charges and the killing of the three trade unionists are part of an ongoing joint paramilitary strategy to undermine the invaluable work carried out by trade unionists, human rights defenders and other social activists in Arauca.

We are seriously concerned that Samuel and Raquel's legal rights may not be guaranteed and if released, may be at great risk. In September 2005, Samuel's family received death threats.

Trade unionists and human rights defenders are repeatedly accused of being subversive or linked to guerrilla activity. Death threats and other human rights violations often follow such accusations.

headlines . top