The Spring newsletter of the Justice for Colombia campaign (JFC) outlines the devastating impact of the pandemic and an escalating human rights crisis, which has led to Colombia’s most challenging period since the 2016 peace agreement. 

With livelihoods disappearing due to Covid-19, trade unions are demanding worker protection and economic support for struggling families. The newsletter reports that when Colombia belatedly rolled out the vaccine in February, more than 50,000 people had already died because of the virus. 

Colombia is the world’s most dangerous country for trade unionists, with the EENS trade union organisation registering 3,240 murders between 1971 and 2018, and at least 18 trade unionists were killed in 2020, while two teachers were murdered on New Year’s Day 2021. The Colombian government has been widely criticised over its ‘complicit silence’ regarding the violence.

You can download and read the full newsletter HERE.

May Day screening

A May Day online special screening of A Colombian Family will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, 5th May. Colombian trade unionist Ruby Castano, a mother and grandmother, has seen family and friends murdered because of their trade union work, and receives regular threats to her life.

A Q&A event with Ruby and Mariela Kohon of the TUC will take place, with JFC chair Mick Whelan and director Tanja Wol.

Register to take part in this unique event HERE.