Photo credit: Rubén Torres (instagram.com/mrbencho/)
Demand UK stops contributing to violence in Colombia!
Over the last two weeks, millions of people across Colombia, including War on Want’s partners, have taken to the streets to protest against oppressive tax reforms, and the ongoing assassination of human rights defenders and social leaders.
Protestors were met with Police armed-violence. As of 2 June, 76 citizens have been killed, 34 of these allegedly by police forces, with many more injured; there are 87 reported cases of gender-based violence (including sexual violence), over 2000 cases of arbitrary arrests and 346 people remain disappeared. Sadly, the situation is still grievous, with shocking stories of sexual violence and homicide being reported.
The UK’s College of Policing has been providing training to the Colombian police force for the past three years.
Now, MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion, EDM 4: Protests in Colombia, that calls on the UK government, as penholders for the peace process, to promote reform of the Colombian security services and full implementation of the Peace Accord; and to review the UK's training of the Colombian Police and suspend the selling of riot control equipment and arms exports to Colombia.
Please email your MP urging them to sign EDM 4, urging the UK government to stop contributing to the horrific violence taking place against the Colombian people.
