Talking Points
Talking Points in Response to the Drop in Trade Union Murders in Colombia
Administration and Colombian government officials have pointed to the sharp drop in murders of trade unionists in Colombia as progress. While the drop is certainly welcome, it is only a part of the story. Talking points include the following:
Colombia is still the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. Despite the drop in killings from 184 in 2002 to 90 in 2003 more trade unionists were killed in 2003 in Colombia than in the rest of the world combined, accounting for 70% of total trade unionists killed worldwide in 2003.
Other forms of violence against Colombian trade unionists increased dramatically, including death threats, harassment, and detentions. For example, in 2003, death threats against Colombian trade unionists increased by over 55% in comparison to 2002 (Banco de Datos de Derechos Humanos, Escuela Nacional Sindical).
Impunity remains near total. Since 1991, the government has failed to convict anyone in over 99% of the crimes of over 2,000 murdered trade unionists; no one has been convicted for any of the hundreds of murders that have taken place in the last three years.
While the drop in killings is welcome, the drop does not represent advances by the government in prosecuting murderers or strengthening the rule of law. It primarily represents a tactical decision by the paramilitaries to enhance their chances of obtaining an amnesty out of the current peace negotiations with the government (which would have the perverse effect of essentially legalizing impunity). If the peace negotiations break down, the murder rate is likely to go right back up.
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