Interception of FIDH e-mails

28/11/2008
Press release
en es

Open letter to:

Dr. Mario Germán Iguarán Arana, Attorney General,
Dr.

Dear Sirs,

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) expresses its outrage at the fact that, according to information received two days ago, Sr. Luis Isnardo Barrera, Prosecutor n°12 of the National Anti-Terrorist Unit, ordered, on 27 September 2007 after an application by the National Police, the interception of the e-mails of some 100 people and/or human rights organisations, citizens organisations, victims organisations, teachers and journalists. Included in the list for interception were the e-mails of FIDH, of the Collective Lawyers Corporation ‘José Alvear Restrepo’ (Corporación Colectivo de Abogados ’José Alvear Restrepo’ - CCAJAR), which is a member organisation of FIDH in Colombia, and of someone at the UN Office of the High Commissionner for Human Rights in Colombia.

FIDH therefore asks Alvaro Uribe Vélez’s Government and the office of the Attorney General: what were the motives for these interceptions?

It is very contradictory that, at the beginning of October 2007, a few days after having ordered the interception of electronic correspondence, these same Colombian Authorities, including the Attorney General Office, received a FIDH delegation headed by its President, Mrs Souhayr Belhassen. The meetings were characterised by advances towards a constructive dialogue in the face of the continuing impunity of crimes against humanity committed in Colombia.

FIDH wonders if perhaps the interception order could have been motivated by the work that is being done before the International Criminal Court, to which FIDH has already given various statements denouncing crimes committed by parties involved in the conflict in Colombia.

Such interception, besides being unacceptable, constitutes a violation of the obligations of the Colombian State to uphold international and regional human rights agreements, according to which the private life and the work of human rights defenders must be respected.

It is also indicative of the attitude of the State which regards with suspicion the work carried out in defense of human rights not only by Colombian NGOs and activists, but also by international NGOs, and even employees of the United Nations. In addition to affecting the work of NGOs and activists, such interception puts victims in more danger, and highlights the fact that in Colombia, activists have no guarantees to carry out their work.

FIDH urges you, Mr President, Mr Minister, Mr Attorney General, to clarify this situation immediately and recognise the legitimacy of national and international organisations, as well as victims, who work for the defense of human rights.

The Attorney General’s Office must investigate and sanction those who persecute, threaten and attempt to damage the lives and the integrity of human rights activists. FIDH notes the dismissal of the Attorney of the Anti-Terrorist Unit but points out that the interception was a decision of the National Anti-Terrorist Unit taken after an application by the National Police, which is responsible to the Government.

FIDH and its member organisation in Colombia, CCAJAR, reserve the right to take legal action before national, regional and international bodies to resolve the situation.

Sincerely,

Souhayr Belhassen

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