Three students from the Colombian National Federation of Universities (FUN) have received death threats. The threats are directed to Adriana Lozano, the FUN's National Spokesperson, Miguel Angel Barriga, student representative to the Superior Council of the District University and José Luis Blanco, student representative to the Academic Council of the UPTC. FUN members in Nariño are also threatened.
The threats against these students come in the context of increased threats against student groups at many Colombian universities. Student activists have been the objects of kidnaping and killings in the past. Death squads often call social activists of any kind "terrorists" and accuse them of supporting the "subversion."
Please write to the Colombian authorities, as well as to your representatives in your own country, requesting that Colombian authorities ensure the protection of the threatened students.
President Uribe's address is:
S.E. Álvaro Uribe Vélez, Presidente de la República, Cra. 8 # 7-26, Palacio de Nariño, Santa Fe de Bogotá.Fax:+57.1.566.20.71 : auribe@presidencia.gov.co
Here is a translation of the threats. Note, the name and address "Alberto Palomino" have been used before to send threats to human rights groups.
From:Alberto Palomino
Date: Tuesday, July 4th 2006 06:22:55 p.m.
To:
funcomisiones@hotmail.com, FUNcionando@gruposyahoo.com, funcomisionesuptc@yahoo.com, funcpasto@yahoo.com, modep@tutopia.com
Subject:
No more terrorists disguised as students
Messrs.. FUN.. Terrorists disguised as students.
In our struggle for a free and peaceful Colombia, and in accordance to the security policy of President Dr. Alvaro Urie (sic) Velez, we inform you that in the upcoming years there will be a cleaning of the enemies of a true democracy.
For that reason, we present the following names, which will be expanded in the future, of those that must not remain in their universities and regions, as punishment for their vandalistic actions, otherwise they will suffer the whole force of our presence.
For that reason we present the following names, which will be expanded, of:
1 Miguel Barriga and Adriana Lozano – Bogota- Terrorists disguised as students. Friends and protectors of terrorists in the city. Supporters of illicit and unstable acts in the universities. Supporters of unique organizations of disorder. No more strikes and senseless opposition.
2. Jose Blanco – Tunja- Terrorist disguised as representative. Insurgent support in Boyaca. Creator of terrorist nuclei in Tunja and surroundings. Supporter of illicit and unstable acts in the universities.. No more unnecessary recesses
3. Fun udenar. Terrorists disguised as students. Their leaders fool begining students. They hide their support of subversion. Recruiters of the ignorant. Long live a Pasto free of terrorists.
Not one month more, nor a semester more, nor a year more in your universities. No more disguised terrorists.
First warning.
From:
Andres Duran
Sent:
Monday, 17 July 2006 10:47:25 a.m.
To:
funcomisiones@hotmail.com, funcomisionesuptc@yahoo.com, funcpasto@yahoo.com, miguel_quimica@yahoo.es, modep@tutopia.com
Subject:
No more time for terrorists disguised as students.
(No message)