British Government promises to discuss new death threats in Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

British Government promises to discuss new death threats in Colombia
17 Apr 2008 14:36:00 GMT

The British Government has promised to discuss new death threats against priests and members of development and human rights organisations in Colombia. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has agreed to meet aid agency CAFOD after the so-called paramilitary group, the Black Eagles (Águilas Negras), threatened to assassinate members of CAFOD's partner organisations in the north of Colombia.

The email from the Black Eagles said CAFOD's partner, the Development and Peace Programme of Magdalena Medio, human rights group SEMBRAR, the Federación de Agricultores y Mineros (Farmers and Miners Federation) and priests and parishioners in the region were all "military targets" in an "annihilation plan" and "will be exterminated one by one".

It continued: "We are watching you every minute...The plan to annihilate you will begin at any point. We are not joking about assassinating you, so go and warn your relatives so they can prepare your burial."

CAFOD has already met the new Colombian ambassador in London, Noemí Sanín, and conveyed its concerns about these threats and continued paramilitary intimidation in the South American country - where a conflict has been raging for four decades. aramilitary g Clare Dixon, head of CAFOD's Latin America and Caribbean Department, said: "This latest threat is another sign that the notorious paramilitary groups are still active, despite the Colombian government's demobilisation process.

"The continued activity of these groups and their influence in politics is undermining Colombia's claim to be a democratic state providing security for its citizens. People have a right to live in peace.


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