The municipality of San Pablo is located in the south end of the Department of Bolivar about 576 kilometers north of Bogota and about an hour and half from Barrancabermeja in a boat. San Pablo is located on the Magdalena River and the majoring of transportation is by river. The municipality has been known as an oil port with the majoring of people working is agriculture, such as, cattle raising and fishing. However, the producing, making, and selling of cocaine have become the leading economic activity. The fight over the control of territory and the culture of illicit use of coca is the leading cause of the violence in San Pablo.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s San Pablo was a strong hold for the ELN guerrilla group and during the late 90’s the paramilitaries took control of the area. Violence has remained steady in the city ever since. However, since January of 2009, there has been a large increase in violence from paramilitary groups, which have included 13 murders, the assassination of the Mining leader Edgar Martinez Ruiz,
Local Colombian human rights organizations have called for an investigation into the assassination of community leader Edgar Martínez Ruiz and 12 others killed this year. Because of this work, On Tuesday June 16th, death threats were placed underneath the doors of the human rights organization in San Pablo. These organizations continue to work for justice and peace in the face of these threats.
CPT has asked San Pablo community leaders how the public can support their movement for protection of life and fundamental human rights. The San Pablo leaders request that the international community apply pressure by sending written appeals for an investigation into the death of Edgar Martinez Ruiz, the others, and the death threats made against human rights organizations. The leaders wish to receive these letters by email so they can personally deliver them to the authorities.
Letters in English or Spanish should be directed to the Personería (Municipal Human Rights Representative) and the Fiscalía (Municipal District Attorney) of San Pablo. Below are sample letters in Spanish and English. Please sign one of these letters, scan it (to include your signature), and email it as an attachment to the Colombia team at ecapcolombia@edatel.net.co. You can also fax the letters to us at 011-577-602-3617 You are also welcome to write your own letter if you wish. CPT will forward the letters to the San Pablo community leaders, who will deliver them. Please have your letter in to the CPT colombia office by July 14s.
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FECHA
Señores Personería y Fiscalía Municipio de San Pablo
Enviamos estas cartas dirigidas a ustedes las autoridades del gobierno local, reclamando sobre el asesinato de Edgar Martínez Ruiz y la falta de resultados de la investigación oficial de su muerte. El 24 de Abril 2009 el Sr. Edgar Martínez Ruiz fue asesinado a sangre fría cerca de San Pablo. El Sr. Martínez Ruiz era líder de la comunidad, participaba en diferentes espacios de derechos humanos y trabajaba en la exigencia de rendición de cuentas en el Municipio de San Pablo, Bolívar.
Exigimos que haya seguimiento para asegurar una investigación a los asesinatos e intimidación de líderes locales como Edgar Martínez Ruiz, otros, y las amenazas reciente contra los grupos de derechos Humanos, ACNUR – PDPMM, Defensoría del Pueblo Regional Magdalena Medio y Programa de Desarrollo y Paz del Magdalena Medio.
Soy ciudadano de ____________ y estoy preocupado con el enlace entre el dinero que manda mi país hacia Colombia y el número de lideres comunitarios que son asesinados diariamente con impunidad. Su atención a este asunto nos asegura que haya justicia y respeto por los derechos de los más marginados en Colombia.
Sinceramente,
NOMBRE
DIRECCION
PAIS
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DATE
Personeria y Fiscalía Municipio de San Pablo
To Whom It May Concern:
We send these letters directed to you, the authorities of the local government, decrying the murder of Mr. Edgar Martinez Ruiz and the lack of results from the official investigation into his death. On April 24, 2009, Mr. Martinez Ruiz was killed in cold blood near San Pablo. Mr. Martinez Ruiz was a community leader who participated in various human rights forums, calling the government to fiscal accountability in the municipality of San Pablo, Bolivar.
I strongly ask for follow-up to ensure an investigation into the murders and intimidation of local leaders such as Mr. Martinez Ruiz, others, and the recent death threats against the human rights organization, ACNUR – PDPMM, Defensoría del Pueblo Regional Magdalena Medio y Programa de Desarrollo y Paz del Magdalena Medio.
I am a citizen of_______________ and I am worried about the links between the money my country sends to Colombia and the number of community leaders daily murdered with impunity. Your attention to this matter will assure us that there is justice and respect for the rights of the most marginalized in Colombia.
Sincerely,
NAME
ADDRESS
COUNTRY
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