PBI-Colombia shares NOMADESC concerns about lack of progress in investigations into Public Force in Operation Siloé

Photo: On August 4, 2021, PBI-Colombia accompanied NOMADESC and victims of state repression at a meeting with the Canadian Embassy.

On March 29, PBI-Colombia tweeted: “May 3, 2021, in #MasacreEnSiloé [massacre in the neighbourhood of Siloé in the city of] Cali, three young #ParoNacional [national strike] protesters were killed. Almost 1 year later, there is insufficient progress in investigations into the responsibility of the Public Force in serious events.”

The PBI-Colombia tweet highlights this tweet from the Association for Social Research and Action (NOMADESC) that says: “Maneuvers of delay and impunity, in a Public Hearing for the Request for an Assurance Measure Operational Commanders Edgar Vega Metropolitan Police and Nestor Mancilla of the GOES [the Special Operations Group of the Colombian National Police] responsible for 6 executions that took place on May 3, 2021, in Cali.”

PBI-Colombia meets with Canadian Embassy officials

PBI-Colombia has had two meetings with representatives from the Canadian Embassy in Colombia about this situation.

On November 29, 2021, PBI-Colombia tweeted: “Today there was an important meeting with victims of police violence accompanied by @dhColombia [the Associated Network of Human Rights Defenders] with the diplomatic corps [including from Canada]. Victims expressed lack of progress in the processes and constant threats against them and requested impulses in their cases to avoid impunity.”

And on December 1, 2021, PBI-Colombia tweeted: “The Canadian embassy @CanadayColombia visits the office of @Nomadesc in Cali to talk about the causes of the protests and learn first-hand about cases of police violence. Nomadesc requested guarantees that Canada does not assist the Colombian police with equipment.”

Canada’s response to police violence in Colombia

On May 9, 2021, then-Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau stated: “Canada condemns the violence, including the disproportionate use of force by security forces, and urges that the violence cease.”

That comment was followed by: “We welcome the Government of Colombia’s commitment to fully investigate and hold accountable those who may be guilty of violating human rights during these events.”

The tweet from NOMADESC draws attention to that commitment.

We continue to follow this situation.

Photo: On March 17, NOMADESC rejected the US Ambassador’s tweet from the ambassador that reads: “We are pleased to congratulate the Colombian Police for their work throughout the country, for their efforts in extending citizen security throughout the territory especially for investigating abuses and raising their human rights standards.”