Police Aggression Against Students During Demonstrations of Solidarity with Sectors in Conflic
6th of May 2004, Cali, Colombia.

The Union of University Workers SINTRAUNICOL, the students of the University of Valle, The Association for Social Action Research NOMADESC and the participating organisations in the “National and International Campaign Against Privatisation, Corruption and the Criminalisation of Social Protest: FORBIDDEN TO FORGET” and “SO THAT THE UNIVERSITY CAN LIVE IN COLOMBIA” denounce before the National and International Community the arbitrary detention of four students of the University of Valle and the aggressive use of force by officers form the Mobile Anti [civil] Disturbance Squadron (ESMAD) during demonstrations at the University of Valle on May, 6th 2004.

On Wednesday the 5th of May SINTRAUNICOL held a public meeting within the university with an attendance of some three thousand students and staff in solidarity with and in recognition of the following:

The ongoing strike called by the Colombian Oil Workers Union USO on 22nd of April in response to threatened privatisation of the industry. The strike has been declared illegal by the Government and up to the present date 53 workers dismissed for union activism.

The restructuring of the National Apprenticeship Scheme (SENA) resulting in higher costs, fewer teachers, more students and greater involvement of the private sector. Public protests against the restructuring have been met with police brutality and arbitrary detentions across the country and members of the Union SINDESENA have been dismissed.

The situation faced by the workers of EMCALI due to renewed pressure for privatisation and liquidation of assents and the threats to leaders and activists of SINTRAEMCALI. Specifically the excessive use of force by state law enforcement agencies (ESMAD, PM) including the employment of acrimonious gases and firearms against workers on Tuesday the 5th of May at the EMCALI Water and Sewerage Plant, Kr 15, Calle 59.

The judicial reforms proposed by the Uribe Government which attempt to severely limit the role of the Constitutional Court, an essential branch of the democratic system and also those which would enable the president to be elected for a second term. The introduction and use of “anti terrorism” law to castigate members of trade unions and social movements

The systematic repression of social leaders, trade unionists and students, including specifically the death threats which exist against ALEXANDER LOPEZ, Member of Parliament for the Valle region, WILSON ARIAS, member of the SINDESENA directive committee and EDGAR PEREA, Vice-president of SINTRAMETAL the last two assassination attempts against whom have ended in the death of his brother RAÚL PEREA and his bodyguard and popular community leader JESÚS ALEXANDER HERNÁNDEZ.


In response to this wave of privatisation and state violence in repression of unionism and social protest underlined by judicial reform, and in solidarity with those worst affected, the Students and staff of the University of Valle held a demonstration at the University. It began at 11 am with a road blockage outside the University Pasoancho entrance. Within fifteen minutes a large police contingent arrived comprised of officers from the Anti [civil] Disturbance Squadron (ESMAD) and Military police (PM). The police drove the students into the University Campus with tear gas where they held their ground behind the entrance Gates. Two police riot vehicles equipped with water cannons and tear gas were positioned in the road between the University entrance and Unicentro Shopping centre. One was use as a shield behind which police fired tear gas (no. 24027) and the other was used in various failed attempts to penetrate the university gates using water cannons. The demonstration continued for some five hours inside the Campus grounds into which the police repeatedly fired tear gas and shouted insults at the students holding the gates. The road remained closed until 5pm.

Four students WILSON HURTADO VALENCIA, CARLOS ANDRÉS RESTREPO, CRISTIAN ROCHA, JOSE LUIS RODRIGUE were detained inside police riot vehicle no. 24027 and later in a Cevrolet Sprint with number plates CLK 393 with darkened windows possibly belonging to the National Inteligence Services (Sijin).

CRISTIAN ROCHA y JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ were accused with with carrying gas grenades of the type used by police during the demonstration and almost impossible for members of civil society to get hold of.

WILSON HURTADO VALENCIA a seventeen year old topography student from the Faculty of Engineering was detained while leaving the University on his bike. A successful youth football player who has represented the region in National tournaments, he was on his way to an arranged practise of the university team. He was spat on and beaten by police inside the riot vehicle before transferred to the Limonar police station. Later at the request of Human Rights organisations and Unions that he be released in veiw of the fact that he is legal minor police responded in veiw the fact that he was carrying a change of clothes (his football kit) this was sufficent evidence that he was anctive partiipant in the demonstartion. It is necessary for participants to over their faces during demonstrations due to the persecution of politically active students by law enforcement agencies in Colombia and hence in such situations carrying a change of clothing can be arrestable offence. Wilson was released the following day at mid-day, legal processes continue against him.

CARLOS ANDRÉS RESTREPO, CRISTIAN ROCHA, JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ were transferred to the Sijin where they currently remain detained.

In view of the gross violations of National and international law committed on the part of State law enforcement agencies we urgently demand:

That the Valle Regional Government order the public law enforcement agencies to cease the abuse of their functions and in doing so to respect the legal right to assembly and protest in view of the social conditions and conflicts confronting out city.

That the Colombian government provide guarantees for the safety and security of Colombian students and workers.

The respect of the fundamental constitutional rights to life, security, liberty of opinion, information, assembly, social protest and the right to form labour unions and as such that the Colombian Government comply with international agreements it has signed committing to respect of the above.

That the Colombian Government make a declaration before the United Nations, the Organisation of American Status, The Diplomatic Bodies seated in Colombia and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) so as to guarantee the protection of the human rights of the leaders and activists of social movements.

Union of University Workers of Colombia SINTRAUNICOL
Association for Social Action Research NOMADESC
Cali Municiple Workers Union SINTRAEMCALI
Colombian Oil Workers Union USO
Association for Intergrated Social Development ECATE
CUT - VALLE DEL CAUCA
Corporation of Professional Community Services SEMBRAR
Colombia Miners Union SINTRAMINERCOL
The Student Movements of the Valle del Cauca and Nariño
Foundation for Solidarity with Political Prisoners, Valle del Cauca
Sintramunicipio Bugalagrande
Sintramunicipio Yumbo
Sintramunicipio Dagua
Sintrametal Yumbo
Inner City Youth and Art Organisations
UK Colombia Solidarity Campaign

- posted by 1984 @ 8:42 pm