Under Threat of Death

In Colombia, standing up for the rights of workers is a dangerous business, with many trades union activists being killed, abducted and arrested. Juan Carlos Galvis is vice-president of the Federation of Trades Unions in his home town of Barrancabermeja, and human rights officer for SINAL TRAINAL, the main union serving Coca-Cola workers. He talks here about the killing of his brother-in-law and how, in pursuit of his business, he has surived assassination attempts and death threats.

Diego Escobar also knows the dangers of being a trades unionist in his country but continues to dedicate his life’s work to fight for better conditions. He is a key representative of the CUT Union Federation. When visiting the UK, Diego talked with courage and conviction about the worsening situation in Colombia and how international factors are so influential upon the plight of his people.

The Colombian civil war claims an estimated 6,000 lives every year, mostly civilians, and women pay a particularly high price. Jackeline Rojas is a vigorous defender of women’s rights and is co-ordinator for Organizacion Feminina Popluar, which is her country’s principle women’s rights organisation. She speaks here about why she undertakes this dangerous work.

Photo above by Simone Bruno. Feature length 22 mins. For details on current situation in Colombia visit www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk & www.justiceforcolombia.org

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