A Letter from a Human Rights Activist

Bogota, March 14, 2008

Sirs
Presidency of the Republic
Vice-Presidency of the Republic
Bogota

I hereby make public the threats which I have been the object of, along with other organizations and human rights and political leaders, in a letter sent by the “Águilas Negras el Rearme, Bloque Metropolitano de Bogotá” (Black Eagles, the Rearmament, Metropolitan Block of Bogota), last Wednesday, March 12. In this document, we are declared “military objective phase A”, we are accused of being guerrillas and told that we will be killed “one by one. We will be impeccable. We shall leave no stone unturned.”

The threats take place after the protest march on March 6th and an overseas trip made in representation of WOMEN’S, YOUTH, PEACE, VICTIM’S, AND ARTISTIC organizations. The objective of this trip was to recount the vulnerabilities of human rights in Colombia, the levels of impunity, and the complex dimension of the Colombian conflict. It is highly troublesome that after making use of the right to protest, to free speech, to communicate, and to justice and truth, these groups threaten us with death.

It is equally troublesome that this takes place after several personalities within the Colombian government indicated that the protest march on March 6 was organized by the FARC and was meant to support the FARC. Also troubling was the government’s manipulation of the media, and the events that have taken place during the past several months. We have indicated in the most emphatic and permanent way that we are not sympathizers, nor allies, nor part of this guerrilla group, and we reject violence of all types.

We denounce that in Colombia, there are no guarantees for the exercise of opposition, nor for working towards human rights, and much less for surviving victims who demand their rights. It is not the first time that I have been the object of intimidation, which has taken place since the disappearance and assassination of my father JAIME ENRIQUE GÓMEZ VELASQUEZ. In Colombia, the State does not provide security for the realization of our work. Last year, I asked for protective measures which were denied by the Ministers of the Interior and Justice, in spite of evidence of the levels of insecurity and vulnerability.

It should also be indicated that the communique from the “Águilas Negras” states that they have the “support and tolerance of the State and the citizenry in general”. My task, and that of all of the organizations and people who have been singled out, is the exercise of the right to opposition, given by the Political Constitution, which should be guaranteed in any democratic society by the institutions of the State and its representatives, who should strive for a climate of debate and dialogue, rather than exacerbating hate, threats, and polarization, which only contribute to the prolongation of the conflict that the country is living.

I hold the Colombian State, and the president and vice-president of the Republic responsible for guaranteeing our security and for any vulnerability against my role as a citizen, victim, and human rights activist.

DIANA MARCELA GÓMEZ CORREAL