Colombia is fifth worst in the world for unsolved journalist murders .
Source: Colombia Reports
Colombia is fifth worst in the world for unsolved journalist murders .
Tuesday, 17 April 2012 08:50
Rosemary Westwood
Colombia is the fifth worst country in the world for unsolved murders of journalists for the second year in a row, according to a new report.
It once again led Latin American nations in the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) 2012 Impunity Index, which measures how often members of the media are killed and how frequently those murders are solved.
The CPJ ranked Iraq the worst for unsolved murders of journalists, with Colombia placed fifth after Somalia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
The report criticized Colombia's "unacceptably high" ranking, "a legacy of its deadly past and its continued shortcomings in prosecuting open cases."
Read more: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23474-colombia-fifth-worst-journalists-unsolved-murders.html
Judi Lynn
(160,527 posts)Colombia's unions question Obama's commitment to human rights .
Monday, 16 April 2012 19:29
Sarah Kinosian
After Sundays announcement that the U.S.-Colombia trade agreement is set to take effect May 15, Colombian unions doubt the sincerity of the U.S. governments commitment to human rights.
According to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the Andean country had complied with the labor conditions set forth in Labor Action Plan, clearing the way for the trade agreement to go into effect.
However, several prominent politicians along with U.S. and Colombian labor unions disagree with this assessment and oppose the deal due to the fact that Colombia is still one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a trade unionist.
They continue to kill union workers, the labor cooperative model still exists, laborers continue to be exploited and there is still 95% impunity for cases of violence against trade unionists. They have barely completed the minimum. Of the 37 points in the plan, the Colombian government has not even fully completed two of the requirements, Secretary General of Colombias National Union of Food Workers (SINALTRAINAL) told Colombia Reports.
More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23469-colombias-unions-question-obamas-commitment-to-human-rights.html
QUALAR
(106 posts)How can Obama praise this government's accomplishments when Colombia probably leads the world in union organizer murders? Colombian "community organizers (union)" cannot expect any support from our President since we have witnessed his silence when our country's most important community organizers (ACORN) was being destroyed. Shameful lack of courage. It doesn't pay to represent the most vulnerable in either country. Besides, Chiquita Bananas has undoubtedly contributed to Qbama's campaign war chest.
Judi Lynn
(160,527 posts)Obama's banana problem
Eric Holder's defence of Chiquita suggests he is a poor choice to be the next US attorney general
Jason Glaser
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 25 November 2008 10.30 EST
The selection of Eric Holder as the next attorney general of the United States is a deft political decision. Holder should face little if any opposition during the approval process given his bipartisan history. This would ensure a smooth transition at a time that requires decisive action. Still, Barack Obama's selection may not be something to celebrate. The choice of Holder reveals a troubling disconnect between a key statement made by the president-elect during the campaign and views held by Holder. This disconnect must be examined in light of the dismal state of US foreign relations.
The issue of direct payments to the justice department by offending US corporations is a worrying trend. It is one that has risen sharply under the Bush administration and was first championed by former attorney general John Ashcroft. In lieu of a trial, companies are allowed to pay a fine directly to the justice department. These agreements are readily accepted by companies, as they are cost effective, avoid the stigma of public trial and don't set precedents. None of the money paid goes to affected individuals or communities, which leaves any sense of justice wanting. There is also valid concern that abuse of this system may lead to companies being less scrupulous.
Representing Chiquita, Holder brokered a deal for the banana giant to pay $25m over five years to the justice department. This arrangement was made after Chiquita admitted in 2003 to providing $1.7m over six years to the paramilitary group The United Self Defense Forces of Colombia. This group was listed as a terrorist organisation by the state department. Chiquita also allegedly provided a cache of surplus Nicaraguan army AK-47s through their own transport network. The payments continued unabated for months after Chiquita's admission.
The company claimed the payments were made to protect its workers, but it is unclear who was protected. Colombia's attorney general, Mario Iguaran, roundly rejects Chiquita's excuses. Iguaran believes the payments were made to secure the unimpeded production of bananas and to quell labour unrest. He claims that at least 4,000 people were killed by these paramilitaries. Hundreds of the victims were banana workers and labour organisers. Iguaran wishes to extradite the Chiquita executives responsible for approving the payments and a lawsuit is currently underway representing the families of 173 workers who were killed by the paramilitaries. Holder continues to represent Chiquita in the resulting civil case.
More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/nov/25/attornery-general-eric-holder-chiquita
With Democrats like this, who needs Republicans?
lib2DaBone
(8,124 posts)No one is safe..... thanks to the War on Drugs.