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H.E. Alvaro Uribe Velez
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Despacho del Senor Presidente
Carrera 8 No. 7-26
Bogotá , D.C.
Republic of Colombia
Fax: (011.57.1) 337.5890
Your Excellency:
We were shocked to learn that six journalists with the community radio station, Sarare Estereo, have received death threats, and that the radio station’s office has been defiled with pro-paramilitary graffiti. Sarare Estereo is based in the town of Saravena, in the northeastern department of Arauca. Amnesty International believes “that the lives of the employees are in grave danger.”
All six radio station employees (Isneldo Gonzalez, Elida Parra Alfonso, Emiro Goyeneche Goyeneche, Ismael Antonio Rodrigues, Alexis Ivan Rojas, and Deibys Pantoja Cerrerno) received an identical threatening message. It apparently was sent by the United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia (Audefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC), Colombia’s paramilitary alliance.
The text message each journalist received read: “For the well-being of you and your loved ones, do not meddle in subjects that do not concern the radio station” and the message was signed AVC Aranca. Fears for the radio station employees increased when the para-military organization’s signature letters “AUC” were painted on the front entrance of the station’s building.
The world-respected freedom of speech concept is affirmed in Colombia’s 1991 constitution. We urge you to extend the closely related concept of press freedom in Colombia for the benefit of your people. We hope that you will take every step possible to assure the safety of the six journalists.
Respectfully yours,
Norman A. Schorr
Larry Martz Co-chairmen
Freedom of the Press Committee
cc:
Sr. Fredy Forero Requiniva
Governor of Arauca Department
Gobernacion de Arauca
Palacio de Gobierno Departmental
Carrera 20
21-82 Arauca
Republic of Colombia
H.E. Maria Carolina Barco Isakson
Ambassador of Colombia to the U.S.A.
Embassy of the Republic of Colombia
2118 Leroy Place, NW
Washington , DC 20008
Fax: (202) 232.8643
Ambassador Luis Guillermo Giraldo
Permanent Representative Permanent Mission of the Republic of Colombia to the United Nations
140 West 57 Street
New York, NY 10022
Fax: (212) 371.2813
H.E. William Wood
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia
Embassy of the United States of America
Carrera 45, #22D-45
Bogota , D.C.
Colombia
Fax: (011.57.1) 315.2197
Luis Carlos Gómez
Editor El Tiempo
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Martinez Ana Mercedes Gomez
Director El Colombiano
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Fernando Quijano Velasco
Editor El Colombiano
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Fundacion de Derechos Humanos “Joel Sierra”
Carrera 16 #28-49
Saravena, Arauca Colombia
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