COLOMBIA: STOP HARASSMENT AGAINST FISHING COMMUNITY

Dear Mr. Mayor,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the harassment faced by members of Barrancabermeja’s fishing community affiliated with the Federation of Artisanal, Environmental and Touristic Fishers of Santander (FEDEPESAN). Despite their recognized work monitoring water quality and biodiversity to defend the community’s rights to health, water, and a safe environment, FEDEPESAN members have endured threats and attacks for years, and in recent weeks, several serious incidents have occurred.

On February 15, FEDEPESAN leaders warned that they felt forced to leave their territory. Between late June until mid-August 26 families were forcibly displaced and returned under the condition that they could live and work safely in their territory. On August 4, FEDEPESAN member Janeth Millán, mother of two underage daughters and a victim of the armed conflict living in extreme poverty, was evicted from her home near Ciénaga de San Silvestre, despite having lived there for 18 years.

On August 27, the Secretary of Environment and Energetic Transition ordered the suspension of the usage of a modest FEDEPESAN meeting place located by Ciénaga de San Silvestre. It was argued that this place supposedly was affecting the riparian zone, despite nearby houses and clubs being located just a few kilometers away on the shores of the Ciénaga and without news of similar measures taken against them.

I urge you to guarantee protection and support for FEDEPESAN and its members, and to prevent any form of harassment against them.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]