Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Justice for Colombia (JFC), supported by over 6 million workers in Britain and over 80 Members of the British Parliament strongly condemns the unjust detention of our friend and colleague, the trade union leader Huber Ballesteros, who was arrested on 25th August. We call for his immediate release. Mr Ballesteros was due to address the TUC Conference as their official international guest on September 11th and to meet with several MPs on September 12th. As well as sitting on the CUT National Executive, he is also the Vice President of FENSUAGRO agricultural union and the National Organiser for the Patriotic March movement. JFC has worked closely with Mr Ballesteros and FENSUAGRO for many years. We reject the unfounded allegations made against Mr Ballesteros by the Attorney General’s office in the public hearing on the evening of 26th August that resources from JFC have been used to fund the FARC. We stand by FENSUAGRO and Mr Ballesteros. We know that our funding has gone towards human rights and organising projects, to help our colleagues in their struggle for justice – in the face of constant repression at the hands of state and paramilitary forces which has seen over 1000 members assassinated and around 70 members imprisoned. We believe Mr Ballesteros’ detention is due to his leadership role in the strikes taking place around the country. We condemn the state resorting to the practice of imprisoning high-profile critics simply for carrying out their right to organise and protest, as well as the behaviour being used by state forces in repressing the protesters. The government is sending a worrying message to the international community about is attitude towards legitimate political opposition. We will be campaigning at every level for the release of Mr. Ballesteros and call on the government to stop treating civil society with violence and persecution.
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