British Trade Unionists Call for Justice for Henry Diaz, Disappeared Colombian Trade Unionist

On  Wednesday 27^th February, British trade unionists and lawyers, assembled at the TUC, UK Trades Union Congress, called for justice in the case of Henry Diaz, disappeared Colombian trade unionist. The protesters included Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association, Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary, Nick Sigler, head of international at UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union and John Rimmer, former president of NASUWT, the UK teachers’ union. The group also included Simpson Millar lawyers Bryan Nott and Asha Wije.

Those demonstrating were calling for the Colombian authorities to implement justice in the case of Henry Diaz, disappeared since 18^th April 2012. Mr. Diaz’ clothes were found on a road linking two army checkpoints and in May 2012 he was awarded “precautionary measures” by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, obligating the Colombian authorities to protect him, and carry out an urgent search. Yet to date, the Colombian authorities have not established what happened and have given no account of Mr. Diaz’ whereabouts.  

Henry Diaz is one of 69 trade unionists to be murdered or disappeared during the first two years of the Santos government, and according to the UN, impunity for these crimes remains at 95%. JFC is campaigning for justice these cases.

Simpson Millar and JFC launched the campaign for Henry Diaz at Labour Party Conference 2012, with numerous messages to the Colombian government, signed by high profile MPs and union leaders.

JFC Cross-party Northern Ireland Peace Delegation to Colombia

In November JFC organised a cross-party peace delegation of politicians and trade unionists from Northern Ireland to Colombia in order to see the conflict and human rights situation firsthand and share their own experiences of the Northern Ireland peace process. The group met with President Santos, addressed the plenary of the Colombian Congress, met retired generals of the Colombian army, as well as meeting with Colombians for Peace, the trade unions, victims and human rights groups among others. The group also attended a human rights hearing in Cauca, a region described as the “epicentre” of the Colombian conflict. Scroll down to see a selection of photos from the trip.