• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS AT RISK (Colombia: UA 50.22)

June 7, 2022

On May 31, 2022, four environmental defenders from the organization Federation of Santander Fishers for Tourism and Environment (FEDEPESAN) were victims of an attack with firearms by unknown people while assessing possible environmental harm in the Magdalena Medio region, an extensive inter-Andean valley in the central part of Colombia formed by the Magdalena River. We urge the Ministry of Interior to adopt immediate measures to guarantee the life and right to defend human rights of members of FEDEPESAN.

  1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on August 3, 2022.
  2. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  3. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 50.22. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Daniel Palacios Martínez Ministry of Interior Calle 12 B No. 8 – 43 Bogotá, Colombia Email: [email protected]
Ambassador Juan Carlos Pinzón Embassy of Colombia 1724 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202 387 8338 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @ColombiaEmbUSA Facebook: @ColombiaEmbassyUS Salutation: Dear Ambassador
SAMPLE LETTER Dear Minister, I am writing to express concern for the safety of the members of FEDESPAN, an organization committed to the defense, promotion, and protection of human rights and the environment in the Magdalena medio region in Colombia. On May 31, 2022, four of its members (one accompanied by a security escort due to mounting security concerns in the region) were victims of an attack with firearms when they were in one of their motor-canoes carrying out monitoring work on environmental effects. The attack happened in the river section where the Rosario, Palotal and San Silvestre canyon interconnect, in the city of Barrancabermeja. We call on the Colombian Government to live up to its 2009 commitment on implementing the Roundtable on Guarantee of Human Rights and effectively provide protection to Territory, Land, and environmental defenders in the region. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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