Arbitrary Detention in Santa Rita Ituango

1.11.11

November 1st, 2011

By ASOCBAC
Translated by IPO

The Campesino Association of Bajo Cauca, Antioquia (ASOCBAC) publicly denounces yesterday’s arbitrary and illegal detention of Fernando Escudero, who is both the president of the local action committee of San Sereno of the municipality of Santa Rita Ituango and a member of ASOCBAC. At 10:45 in the morning, after casting his ballot in the local elections, Escudero was stopped by Corporal González, a SIJIN (Special Police) officer. Despite having no arrest warrant, González took Escudero to the police station, where he illegally registered and photographed Escudero, as well as copying the information from the SIM card of his cellphone. We repeat that there was no judicial order or arrest warrant issued that authorized these police actions.

Mr. Escudero was freed after three hours, through the efforts of the Human Rights Office of Ituango.

ASOCBAC rejects the arbitrary and illegal detention of a member of our organization, and considers it a flagrant violation of human rights, as well as an attempt to criminalize our organization. This act occurs in the context of the anonymous blog posting of 800 names of alleged guerrilla collaborators in the area of Ituango, with who knows what intention.

We hold the Police commander of Santa Rita Ituango, Lieutenant Ortiz, as well as Corporal González of the SIJIN responsible for Mr. Escudero’s continued safety.
We also wish that a criminal investigation be opened against the police responsible for these human rights violations.

The agreement that was reached in Taraza between ASOCBAC and the Government must be kept: “The Colombian Government has not and will not criminalize any association or organization in this region.”

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