Colombia: A dangerous place for trade unionists
Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world to be a trade unionist. At least 80 trade unionists were killed or
"disappeared" in 2003. The vast majority of human rights abuses against trade unionists were attributed to the security
forces and paramilitary allies, although guerrilla forces were also held responsible for many abuses. Death threats
against trade unionists almost doubled and impunity in cases of human rights violations against trade unionists is
almost guaranteed.
On 20 April 2004, Gabriel Remolina, the President of the Bucaramanga Branch of SINALTRAINAL and his partner, Fanny
Robles, were killed by unidentified gunmen. Concern for the security of trade unionists in Colombia is heightened, not
only by these latest killings, but by the on-going failure to bring to justice those who kill and threaten trade
unionists.
Amnesty International is concerned that the Colombian Government has failed to ensure substantive improvement in the
security situation faced by trade unionists.
A new feature on news.amnesty looks at the most recent incidents and the situation facing trade unionists in Colombia: