FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deanna Congileo, dcongil@emory.edu
Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter Statement on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Colombia
We, the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, strongly condemn the death threats issued against 100 human rights defenders in Colombia by unscrupulous individuals on Sept. 9, the National Day of Human Rights in Colombia. These threats not only affect human rights defenders and their noble, arduous work, but also constitute a threat to the citizenry in general.
We respectfully urge the government of Colombia and corresponding authorities to adopt with determination the necessary measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of human rights defenders and their families in Colombia.
| Mariclaire Acosta Former Undersecretary for Democracy and Human Rights, México |
Carlos Ayala Corao Former President Inter-American Commission on Human Rights |
| Cecilia Blondet Former Minister for the Advancement of Women and Human Development of Peru |
Dante Caputo Former Foreign Minister of Argentina |
| Jimmy Carter Former President of the United States of America |
Alejandro Foxley Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile |
| Diego García-Sayán Former Foreign Minister of Peru |
César Gaviria Former President of Colombia |
| John Graham Chair Emeritus, Canadian Foundation for the Americas |
Torquato Jardim Former Justice of the Superior Electoral Tribunal of Brazil |
| John Maisto Former U.S. Ambassador to the OAS |
John Manley Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada |
| Barbara McDougall Former Minister of External Affairs of Canada |
Pedro Nikken Former President Inter-American Court for Human Rights, Venezuela |
| Sonia Picado Chair of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights |
Eduardo Stein Former Vice President of Guatemala |
| Fernando Tuesta Soldevilla Former Director National Office of Electoral Processes, Peru |
Joaquín Villalobos Founder of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), Signatory of the Peace Agreements of El Salvador in 1992 |
| Jennifer McCoy Director, Americas Program, Carter Center Executive Secretary, FIADC |
Marcelo Varela-Erasheva Associate Director, Americas Program, Carter Center. Deputy Secretary, FIADC |
Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter
The Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter group is composed of former presidents, prime ministers, cabinet ministers and human rights leaders from the Western Hemisphere who seek to increase the visibility of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and prevent democratic tensions from erupting into crises. The Friends visit countries to assess democratic tensions, encourage citizens and governments to make use of international resources to defend their democracies and resolve constitutional conflicts, and recommend ways for the OAS to apply the charter in a constructive and preventative manner. The Carter Center serves as secretariat for the Friends.
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PARA DIFUSIÓN INMEDIATA
12 de Septiembre 2014
Contacto: Deanna Congileo, dcongil@emory.edu
Comunicado de los Amigos de la Carta Democrática Interamericana sobre la Situación de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos en Colombia
Nosotros, los Amigos de la Carta Democrática Interamericana, enérgicamente condenamos las amenazas de muerte contra un centenar de defensoras y defensores de los Derechos Humanos de Colombia, que personas inescrupulosas divulgaran el pasado 9 de septiembre, Día Nacional de los Derechos Humanos en Colombia. Estas amenazas no sólo afectan a los defensores y defensoras de los Derechos Humanos por su arduo y noble trabajo, sino que constituyen asimismo una amenaza contra la ciudadanía en general.
Exhortamos respetuosamente al Gobierno de Colombia y a las autoridades correspondientes a adoptar con determinación las medidas necesarias para salvaguardar la integridad física y la vida de las defensoras y defensores de Derechos Humanos y las de sus familias en Colombia.
| Mariclaire Acosta Ex Subsecretaria para Derechos Humanos y Democracia de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores de México |
Carlos Ayala Corao Ex Presidente de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos |
| Cecilia Blondet Ex Ministra para la Promoción de la Mujer y el Desarrollo Humano de Perú |
Dante Caputo Ex Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Argentina |
| Jimmy Carter Ex Presidente de los Estados Unidos |
Alejandro Foxley Ex Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile |
| Diego García-Sayán Ex Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Perú |
César Gaviria Ex Presidente de Colombia |
| John Graham Presidente Emérito, Fundación Canadiense para las Américas |
Torquato Jardim Ex Magistrado del Tribunal Superior de Justicia Electoral de Brasil |
| John Maisto Ex Embajador de los Estados Unidos ante la OEA |
John Manley Ex Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Canadá |
| Barbara McDougall Ex Ministra de Relaciones Exteriores de Canadá |
Pedro Nikken Ex Presidente Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, Venezuela |
| Sonia Picado Presidenta, Consejo Directivo del Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos |
Eduardo Stein Ex Vicepresidente de Guatemala |
| Fernando Tuesta Soldevilla Ex Director Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales, Perú |
Joaquín Villalobos Fundador del Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN). Signatario de los Acuerdos de Paz de El Salvador, 1992 |
| Jennifer McCoy Directora, Programa de las Américas, Centro Carter. Secretaria Ejecutiva, Amigos de la Carta Democrática |
Marcelo Varela-Erasheva Director Adjunto, Programa de las Américas, Centro Carter. Secretario Adjunto, Amigos de la Carta Democrática |
El Grupo de Amigos de la Carta Democrática Interamericana lo integran ex Presidentes, ex Primeros Ministros, ex miembros de gabinete, expertos y promotores de los Derechos Humanos del hemisferio, que procuran incrementar el reconocimiento y cumplimiento de la Carta Democrática Interamericana, así como prevenir que tensiones políticas se conviertan en crisis que amenacen la estabilidad democrática. Los Amigos de la Carta Democrática visitan países para analizar conflictos políticos, animar a la ciudadanía y a los gobiernos a utilizar los instrumentos internacionales para proteger sus democracias y resolver conflictos constitucionales. Asimismo, formulan recomendaciones a la Organización de Estados Americanos para aplicar la Carta Democrática con un carácter preventivo y constructivo. El Centro Carter actúa como la secretaría de los Amigos de la Carta Democrática Interamericana.
"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."
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