On 2 October, neighbors informed Luz Marina Arteaga, a defender for the rights of rural communities in the Meta department, in central Colombia, that her house is under continuous surveillance by unknown men. Luz Marina was forced to leave her home 7 months ago due to a death threat received from the “Rastrojo” paramilitary group. On 20 April 2019, she requested protection from the National Protection Unit (UNP) but is yet to receive it. She would like to return home but fears for her life due to the recent events. We urge the UNP to grant protection measures to Luz Marina and ensure her safety if she returns home.
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Mr. Pablo Elias Gonzalez Mongui
UNP Director
Carrera 63 # 14 – 97
Primer Piso Puente Aranda
Bogotá D.C., Colombia
Email: [email protected]
Ambassador Francisco Santos
Embassy of Colombia
1724 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202 387 8338
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ColombiaEmbUSA @PachoSantosC
Facebook: @ColombiaEmbassyUS
Salutation: Dear Ambassador
Dear Mr. Pablo Elías Gonzalez
I am writing regarding the security incidents affecting Human Rights Defender Luz Marina Arteaga in the village “El Porvenir,” Meta. On 16 April 2019, Luz Marina received a telephone death threat from the commander of the paramilitary group known as “Los Rastrojos”. She requested protection measures from the National Protection Unit but never received any, so she was forced to leave her home. On 2 October, she was warned that unknown men had her house under surveillance and that they are asking for her whereabouts in the area.
Due to the high risk of threat and persecution of Luz Marina in her home town, she was forced to leave and has been unable to return.
I urge you to grant Luz Marina Arteaga the protection measures she requested, and to coordinate with the appropriate authorities to ensure that she can return and continue her human rights work.
Yours sincerely,
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