Fear for safety: The civilian population of La Gabarra and Monsenor Jose de Jesus Quintero Diaz, Bishop of the Diocese of Tibu. Killed: At least 30 residents of La Gabarra.

There is serious concern for the safety of the civilian population in La Gabarra district in the municipality of Tibu, Norte de Santander department. This follows a sustained paramilitary incursion into the area on the weekend of 20 and 21 August 1999, in which at least 30 residents were killed.

The attack began on the evening of 20 August when a heavily armed force entered the hamlet of Cano Lapa. The gunmen stated that they were members of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC), United Self Defence Forces of Colombia. Using a list, they reportedly rounded up and shot and killed at least six people whom they accused of being guerilla sympathizers.

The paramilitaries continued their incursion on 21 August in the urban centre of La Gabarra, once again using a list to identify and kill those whom they considered to be guerilla collaborators.

Despite repeated warnings, and a heavy presence of the Colombian armed forces in the area, there was no attempt to prevent the paramilitary force from carrying out these attacks, or to pursue the assailants. The local Defensor del Pueblo, People's Ombudsman, said that the security forces 'no han hecho nada' (did nothing to intervene).

On 15 August 1999 forces believed to belong to the Ejercito Popular de Liberacion (EPL), Popular Liberation Army, kidnapped the Bishop of Tibu, Monsenor Jose de Jesus Quintero Diaz. Amnesty International has called for his immediate release and continues to be concerned for his well being. This kidnapping has contributed to a climate of civilian insecurity in the region.

On 30 May this year the national paramilitary leader, Carlos Castano, stated that he would control the district 'no matter how many people have to be killed' (UA 125/99) . The municipality of Tibu has long been a region occupied by the two principal armed opposition groups, the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), National Liberation Army and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, as well as the smaller EPL. The paramilitary offensive has created thousands of refugees (Extra 80/99), many of whom have fled across the border into Venezuela.

Background Information
Peasant communities in disputed zones in Colombia's long-running civil conflict have frequently suffered human rights violations. Neither the armed forces and their paramilitary allies nor the left-wing armed opposition groups recognize the civilian population's neutrality in the conflict.

Members of the Colombian army and security forces and their paramilitary allies continue to commit serious human rights violations with virtual impunity. Over the past five years several thousand civilians have been killed by paramilitary groups throughout the country. The Colombian government suspended the constitutional legal base for the formation of paramilitary organizations and issued directives to the armed forces to combat and disband such groups in 1989, yet they continue to work with the support of the security forces in many areas of the country.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters: - expressing concern for the safety of the civilian population of La Gabarra, Norte de Santander department; - urging the authorities to take immediate steps to guarantee the safety of the inhabitants; - expressing concern for the safety of Monsenor Jose de Jesus Quintero Diaz, Bishop of the Diocese of Tibu, who was abducted by an armed opposition group, and calling for his immediate release; - calling for full, prompt and impartial investigations into the reported killings and abductions carried out in La Gabarra by a paramilitary force on 20 and 21 August 1999; - urging that the results of the investigations be made public and that the perpetrators be brought to justice; - calling for a full and impartial investigation into links between the security forces and paramilitary groups operating in Tibu and urging that those found responsible for supporting and participating in such groups be brought to justice; - urging the authorities to take immediate action to dismantle paramilitary groups, in line with stated government commitments.

APPEALS TO:

President of Colombia: Senor Presidente Andres Pastrana Presidente de la Republica Palacio de Narino Carrera 8 No. 7-26 Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear President Pastrana:

Telegrams: President Pastrana, Bogota, Colombia Telexes: 396 44281 PALP CO Faxes: 011 57 1 284 2186 / 337 1351

Minister of the Interior: Dr. Nestor Humberto Martinez Ministro del Interior Ministerio del Interior Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2 Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Dear Minister:

Telegrams: Ministerio del Interior, Bogota, Colombia Faxes: 011 57 1 286 8025 / 281 5884
Commander of the Army: General Jorge Enrique Mora Rangel Comandante del Ejercito Nacional Avenida Eldorado - Carrera 52 Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Dear Commander:
Telegrams: Comandante del Ejercito, Bogota, Colombia Telexes: 396 43401 COEJC Fax: 011 57 1 315 1570
COPIES TO: Alternative Legal Association: MINGA AA 40303 Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno Embassy of Colombia 2118 Leroy Pl. NW Washington DC 20008
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after October 10, 1999.
This information is from Amnesty International's research headquarters in London, England. A.I. is an independent worldwide movement working for the international protection of human rights. It seeks the release of people detained because of their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not used nor advocated violence. These are termed prisoners of conscience. It works for fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge or trial. It opposes the death penalty, extra-judicial executions (political killings), 'disappearances' and torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of all prisoners without reservation. Amnesty International promotes awareness of and adherance to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights instruments, the values enshrined in them and the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights and freedoms.

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