The Peace Brigades International-Colombia Project has posted on social media:
“Here at PBI Colombia, we are accompanying the Associated Network of Human Rights Defenders (dhColombia) at the hearings in the case of Cristian Castillo de la Ossa, a young man killed by the Esmad [Mobile Anti-Riot Squadron] in 2021.
Today, the Attorney General’s Office dismissed and disqualified two former members of the Esmad for their role in Cristian’s death and in the serious injuries sustained by other people who were at the protest.
DH Colombia will continue to demand the responses it considers most just for this type of crime and, in this way, continue to contribute to the reparation for the families who are still demanding justice for all victims of police repression.
In the photo, his parents Edward and Sixta, alongside members of the Bogotá team.”
In June 2023, dhColombia explained on their website: “Two years ago, the young Cristian David Castillo de la Ossa, 23 years old, was extrajudicially executed. Cristian David is one of the many fatalities of the 2021 national strike. On this occasion, on June 22 in the Suba sector, northwest of Bogotá, Cristian David was killed by a member of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad – ESMAD – who fired a grenade launcher in a direct and linear manner, violating the parameters and protocols defined nationally and internationally, which hit the young man’s head.”
dhColombia has now commented:
“Although this organization, which advocates for victims of state abuse, regards the length of the sentence imposed as a step forward compared to similar cases, it considers that the disciplinary justice system’s response remains inadequate and re-victimizing, given that the Attorney General’s Office could have extended the sentence to 20 years. For this reason, an appeal will be lodged to secure a fairer outcome at the appeal stage.”
Following the court ruling, Semana reported: “Videos, testimonies, forensic and laboratory reports, and an autopsy led the Attorney General’s Office to impose a sanction of disqualification and dismissal of 12 years against patrolman Gonzalo Moreno, for the death of the young Cristián David Castillo de la Ossa, which occurred on June 22, 2021, in the midst of the demonstrations that were taking place around the Portal de Suba. in Bogotá. The initial ruling said that Patrolman Moreno would have fired a grenade launcher rifle that hit a gas canister at Castillo de la Ossa, who was passing through the area. Despite medical efforts, the young man passed away at 12:38 a.m. on June 23.”
Minuto60 further reports: “The Ordinary Disciplinary Chamber of Trial made the decision to dismiss the patrolman and sanction him with disqualification for 12 years from holding public office and the measure removes him from the Police and prevents him from working with the State during that period.”
That article adds: “The disciplinary process advanced in parallel with other judicial investigations, while relatives of the victim insisted that it was a homicide and not an isolated event. The decision of the Attorney General’s Office comes several years after the events and is interpreted as a step in the recognition of individual responsibilities within a broader context of questioning the actions of the public forces during that period.”
Dismantle ESMAD
Several PBI accompanied organizations – including dhColombia, the Association for Social Research and Action (Nomadesc), the Committee in Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP), and the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (Credhos) – have called for the ESMAD to be dismantled.
In May 2021, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) supported the call for the dismantling of the ESMAD.
In June 2022, then-presidential candidate Gustavo Petro promised to dismantle the riot squad. Petro was sworn in as the President of Colombia on August 7, 2022. In June 2023, the Petro government changed the name of the ESMAD to the Dialogue and Order Maintenance Unit (UNDMO).
At least three PBI accompanied organizations – including the CSPP, the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers Collective (CCAJAR), and the Corporation for Judicial Liberty (CJL) – stated that this reform was insufficient.
Accompaniment
Peace Brigades International has been accompanying the Associated Network of Human Rights Defenders (dhColombia) since its founding in 2016, and Jorge Molano, one of its founders, since 2009.
