28 Sep 04
just back from a meeting at the scottish trades union congress hq where a colombian trade unionist addressed us on the infringement on human rights in colombia.
it is without question the worst place in the world to be a trade unionist. to put trade unionists under house arrest, jail and even execute them for simply representing their members is utterly despicable.
evidence suggests that the colombian government, multi nationals and paramilitaries are in cahoots in dealing with trade unionists.
what is just as shameful is that the uk government grants military aid to colombia.
anyone have any thoughts on this important international issue.
28 Sep 04
Originally posted by chris stephensFrom what I've heard, this is merely a syptom of the troubled and fractured state of Columbia at the moment. Basically, to hold onto power and to defeat left-wing insurgents such as FARC, and because there's money in it, parts of the Colombian government and military are colluding with right-wing paramilitiaries (principally the AUC). This means turning a blind eye to or even supporting their crimes, of which exporting much of the world's cocaine and persecuting trade unionists (whom they'll inevitably accuse of being leftist insurgents) are among the less serious.
just back from a meeting at the scottish trades union congress hq where a colombian trade unionist addressed us on the infringement on human rights in colombia.
it is without question the worst place in the world to be a trade unionist. to put trade unionists under house arrest, jail and even execute them for simply representing their members is ut ...[text shortened]... nts military aid to colombia.
anyone have any thoughts on this important international issue.
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by Acolytewhere did you get your information?
From what I've heard, this is merely a syptom of the troubled and fractured state of Columbia at the moment. Basically, to hold onto power and to defeat left-wing insurgents such as FARC, and because there's money in it, parts of the Colombian government and military are colluding with right-wing paramilitiaries (principally the AUC). This means turning ...[text shortened]... onists (whom they'll inevitably accuse of being leftist insurgents) are among the less serious.
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29 Sep 04
2 edits
Originally posted by AcolyteI think there's a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing going on here.
From what I've heard, this is merely a syptom of the troubled and fractured state of Columbia at the moment. Basically, to hold onto power and to defeat left-wing insurgents such as FARC, and because there's money in it, parts of the Col ...[text shortened]... ly accuse of being leftist insurgents) are among the less serious.
Are the right-wing, US-sponsored Columbian government being repressive because of the existence of left wing revolutionaries (FARC).
OR, is the presence and success of FARC et al a result of the repressive right-wing government?
Do you seriously believe the Columbian government would be nice guys if it wasn't for the FARC?
Yes, Columbia is a mess. Maybe if the US hadn't propped up various regimes and drug barons then things wouldn't be in such a mess.
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by RedmikeJust as with the chicken and the egg (The egg came first, because a chicken MUST come out of an egg, but the egg could have come out of the predecessor to the chicken), the situation in Colombia did have a definite begin:
I think there's a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing going on here.
Are the right-wing, US-sponsored Columbian government being repressive [b] because of the existence of left wing revolutionaries (FARC).
OR, is the presence and success of FARC et al a result of the repressive right-wing government?
Do you seriously believe the Columbian ...[text shortened]... US hadn't propped up various regimes and drug barons then things wouldn't be in such a mess. [/b]
http://colhrnet.igc.org/timeline.htm
Take especial note of 1903 and 1928.
Here you can see two of the last century's (1900 - 1999) greatest influences in Southern and Central American politics take shape.
Note also the figures from 1989.
Something else you will notice is the complexity of the whole situation there. There are many different para-military groups involved and most of them don't commit attrocities any worse than the elected governments (Not any less worse either...I may add).
The FARC started under another name to oppose government, church and business sponsored massacres.
29 Sep 04
1 edit
Originally posted by RedmikeOf course. But I don't think you can blame the current crop of Colombian politicians for the existence of an organisation founded 40 years ago. Nor can you claim that FARC have the moral high ground, given the methods they use.
I think there's a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing going on here.
Are the right-wing, US-sponsored Columbian government being repressive [b] because of the existence of left wing revolutionaries (FARC).
OR, is the presence and ...[text shortened]... regimes and drug barons then things wouldn't be in such a mess. [/b]
30 Sep 04
excellent points acolyte, yes i do agree with you for a change!.
the main point is should trade unionists be treated this way for having the temerity for representing the interests of their members.
surely it is wrong to keep people under house arrest, to jail, to cut off limbs or kill just becasuse they maybe an enemy of the state.. by being a trade unionist?