Colombia: Armed Attack on Trade Union Leaders in Cali
Brussels, 26 February 2013 - The ITUC has firmly denounced the attempt on the lives of Luis Miguel Morantes, the
President of its affiliated organisation, the CTC (Confederación de Trabajadores de Colombia), and Adolfo Devia, vice
president of the Cali municipal workers' union, the USE (Unión Sindical Emcali).
The attack took place on Saturday 23 February in the city of Cali. The trade union leaders had just left a meeting with
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and government representatives, regarding the dismissal of over 400 public
workers in Cali.
The assailants shot at the trade unionists' vehicle several times before being fended off by the team of bodyguards
accompanying them. Fortunately the vehicle was armoured, saving the passengers from any injury.
This criminal act is one in a series of attacks marking an escalation in anti-union violence in Colombia since the start
of the year.
"The situation is extremely grave. The Colombian government has made countless commitments at international level to
tackle the climate of intimidation and violence against trade unionists. These latest incidents place us on red alert,"
said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.
In a letter to the Colombian authorities http://www.ituc-csi.org/colombia-atentado-contra-luis , the ITUC urged President Juan Manuel Santos to take every action necessary, and with every urgency, to ensure that
the culprits are found and to guarantee the protection of the trade unionists.
The ITUC represents 174 million workers in 156 countries and territories and has 315 national affiliates.
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ENDS