Location of Columbia, South America.
As we often note in our talks, Colombia is infamous for being the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists, with nearly 2,800 union activists assassinated since 1986. It is little wonder therefore that in Colombia it is said: "To be a trade unionist is to walk with a gravestone on your back." Most killings are carried out by rightwing paramilitary death squads that have documented links to the Colombian security forces. However, many are murdered by members of the Colombian Army.
The Columbian Regime does very little to bring those responsible of anti-union violence to justice. Furthermore, the government has devoted considerable time and effort into a public relations campaign aimed at convincing the international community that they are taking positive steps to tackle the anti-trade union violence in their country, however there is little actual evidence to support these claims.
Justice For Columbia (JFC) was established in 2002 by a British Trade Union movement in response to appalling human rights crisis & abuses against trade unionists. The Irish branch of the trade union network Justice For Colombia was established in December 2008. Click here to find out more information about this very worthwhile cause.