AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

February 27, 2007

Amnesty International welcomes news that Colombia's Office of the Attorney General is investigating 69 army soldiers for the killings on February 21, 2005, of eight members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, including community leader, Luis Eduardo Guerra, two children aged 11 and 6, and an 18-month-old infant.

The Colombian army soldiers who are under investigation reportedly belong to the Alacrán Company of the Counter-Guerrilla Battalion No. 33 of the XVII Brigade. The massacre reportedly occurred in the context of a large military operation in the area.

More than 160 members of the Peace Community have been killed or "disappeared" with impunity in the last 10 years. In light of the killings, Amnesty International said the announcement of the investigation into the massacre could represent an important step forward in seeking redress for some of the victims.

As repeatedly requested by the Peace Community itself, the Colombian government must create the conditions necessary to ensure a full and impartial criminal investigation into this massacre and the other killings and "disappearances" of members of the Peace Community. Measures must be taken to protect witnesses and prosecutors so they can participate and testify without fear of reprisals.

Background Information

More than 160 Peace Community members have been killed in San José de Apartadó, municipality of Apartadó, department of Antioquia, since 1997. The Peace Community was created in March 1997 as an attempt by inhabitants in San José de Apartadó to protect their rights as civilians not to be drawn into the conflict. This has led to accusations by the security forces and the guerrillas that the members of the Peace Community are siding with their enemies, which has led to serious human rights abuses committed against them by both sides in the conflict. The vast majority of the killings have been committed by the security forces and army-backed paramilitary forces, and the remainder by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group.

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, (212) 633-4150

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