Alfamir Castillo, president of the Women Sugar Cane Cutters Committee in south west Colombia, has been facing death threats since a court case implicated the Colombian army in the murder of her son.
Alfamir’s son Darvey Mosquera Castillo and his friend Alex Hernandez Ramirez Hurtado were murdered by the Colombian army on 8 February 2008, in a ‘false positive’ extrajudicial execution. In May 2012, 7 soldiers were found guilty of participating in the murders. The case is ongoing against two other army officials, and a hearing is pending in which charges are expected to be brought against two army generals who are implicated in the case.
Since the court case began Alfamir and her family have suffered repeated death threats, persecution and attacks which has left them in a permanent state of terror. The most recent one took place last month when armed men tried to bundle Alfamir and her daughter into a car. They escaped by jumping on a bus.
Alfamir recently visited the UK to speak to activists here about the dangers she and other community and human rights activists face in Colombia. UNISON Northern has longstanding links with trade unions and social movement organisations in south west Colombia. An important part of the work which UNISON has supported is a capacity building project for women involved in the Corteros sugar cane cutters community where mechanisation of the industry is resulting in job loss, attacks on working conditions, and is devastating those communities. Alfamir as president of the Women’s Sugar Cane Committee plays a leading role in bringing women together across different municipalities.
Clare Williams, UNISON convenor in the region said: “Alfamir’s work with women in south west Colombia along with the campaign for justice for her murdered son has put her in extreme danger, and it is important that trade unions and other campaigning organisations show international solidarity. It is important you respond to this alert as it really can make a difference to someone being kept safe.”
Please take action today calling on the Colombian government to protect the life of Alfamir and her family.