D&P speaks out to protect peace and justice advocates in Colombia

Development and Peace Executive Director, Michael Casey, has sent an urgent letter to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, requesting the Government of Colombia to act as soon as possible to protect the leaders of the Program for Development and Peace in the region of Magdalena Medio (PDPMM), in eastern Colombia.




Assistant Director of the PDPMM
Fr. Libardo Valderrama





These leaders are being threatened by the paramilitary group, Las Aguilas Negras, who has made a list of its next victims, adding that they will be "exterminated one by one". This list targets, among others, the PDPMM, the human rights organisation SEMBRAR, the Farmers and Miners Federation, as well as several priests in the region

Casey urges Colombian president to take action, "These threats to human life and the terror they bring to the people, their families and the communities concerned are unacceptable. The paramilitary group responsible for these threats must be stopped immediately from continuing its intimidation tactics throughout the country."