• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: Over 300 Displaced Due To Paramilitary Incursion (Colombia: UA 56/17)

March 7, 2017

An incursion by paramilitaries and subsequent armed confrontation between them and guerrilla groups forced a mass displacement of families and the potential confinement of surrounding communities in Peña Azul, Chocó department, in north-western Colombia. The increase in paramilitary activity in the area is placing residents of rural areas of Chocó department at risk.

An incursion by paramilitaries and subsequent armed confrontation between them and guerrilla groups forced a mass displacement of families and the potential confinement of surrounding communities in Peña Azul, Chocó department, in north-western Colombia. The increase in paramilitary activity in the area is placing residents of rural areas of Chocó department at risk.

 

1) TAKE ACTION
Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:
  • Expressing concern for the safety of rural communities Chocó department, given the increase in incursions by paramilitary groups into the area and the continuing presence of other illegal armed groups,
  • Urging the authorities to implement protection measures and a safe return or relocation in strict accordance with the wishes of those communities under threat;
  • Urging them to take immediate action to dismantle paramilitary groups in line with stated government commitments and recommendations made by the UN and other intergovernmental organizations.
Contact these two officials by 17 April, 2017:
President
Señor Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente de la República
Palacio de Nariño, Carrera 8 No.7-26 Bogotá, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 596 0631
Salutation: Dear President Santos / Excmo. Sr. Presidente Santos
 
Ambassador Juan Carlos Pinzón
Embassy of Colombia
1724 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20036
T: 202.387.8338

Salutation: Dear Ambassador 

 

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION
Here's why it is so important to report your actions: we record the number and types of actions taken—letters, emails, calls and tweets—on each case and use that information in our advocacy. 
Either email [email protected] with “UA 56/17” in the subject line or click this link.
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
 
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