(Colombian) Exile attacks UK military support

[Judi Lynn]

Exile attacks UK military support
May 3 2008 by Martin Shipton, Western Mail

AN EXILED politician and trade union leader from Colombia who was the victim of an assassination attempt has appealed to the UK Government to end its military support for the South American country’s regime.

Aida Avella said she had been appalled by Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells’ comments suggesting a trade union-backed human rights group supported the Farc terrorist group.

Earlier this year Dr Howells apologised for the remarks. The Pontypridd MP is facing the possibility of losing union financial backing after being photographed sharing a joke with a Colombian General who has been named in a US Congress report as being suspected of links with paramilitary groups that have killed trade unionists.
(snip)

She said: “For over 20 years we have had permanent violations of human rights going on. It’s an extremely grave situation. Principally the violence has been against the trade union movement, especially since 1986 when the Colombian TUC was established. Since that time over 2,600 trade unionists have been individually assassinated – 30% of them actually union leaders.”

Ms Avila, who was a leading member of the opposition party the Patriotic Union (PU), said: “We had 14 people elected to parliament, between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Many of them were killed before they had even taken their seats.

More:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/politics-news/2008/05/03/exile-attacks-uk-military-support-91466-20856520/