Colombia heads for dictatorship

By Bernard Thompson

Published in the Scottish Socialist Voice, September 2002

New emergency powers, declared in Colombia, could see the country heading for dictatorship.

The Human Rights Department of the United Workers Federation of Colombia (CUT) has warned of the dangers to civil liberties posed as part of President Alvaro Uribe Velez's 'Decree 2002' declaration.

CUT describes Decree 2002 as amounting to "the declaration of a military state of siege over large parts of the country".

The organisation also reports increasingly serious repression of trade unionists and members of the wider socialist movement.

The announcement of increased state power coincided with the September 11 anniversary, with the US propaganda about the "War on Terror" being cited as justification for the crackdown on civil liberties.


Under the August declaration of the State of Unrest, emergency powers had already been in use by the government.

One demonstration for youth rights has been banned and there have been fears that other public protests could come under violent attack.

Trade unionists in particular continue to face dangers. Domingo Tovar, who visited Britain last year to address the Fire Brigades Union annual conference, is the latest union leader to be threatened with assassination.

Explaining the new Decree 2002 procedures, the main Colombian establishment newspaper El Tiempo said: "Captures, raids, checks, interceptions and other actions must be recorded in a log book with the hour, date, place and reason for the action.
"If resources permit, the investigation should be supervised by an attorney or agent of the Prosecutor's Office.
"If not, the State Force may act autonomously."

Foreigners in Colombia, including members of the foreign press, workers for multinationals and representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations, must present themselves to the local governor, explaining their presence and asking permission to remain. They must also seek permission to travel in Colombia.

The Colombia Solidarity Campaign is seeking international support in highlighting and opposing human rights abuses.