The MEP demanded an explaination as to why they continue to allow the persecution of political leaders, trade unionists and defenders of human rights.
Jean Lambert, who has been awarded for her work on justice and human rights signed up to a letter, presented to President Alvaro Uribe Velez and Vice President Francisco Santos, demanding that the Columbian Government takes urgent measures to guarantee the security and freedom of citizens exercising their constitutional right of opposition to its neo-liberal politics.
As Jean met with a member of the Columbian Green Party today, the MEP expressed her grave concern over Columbia’s human rights situation and said; “Everyone is entitled to their human rights and the people of Columbia are no exception. We have demanded that the Columbian authorities explain their concerning actions and guarantee that human rights will be granted to all.
“We now want to see that all arbitrarily detained trade unionists are released immediatley, and those being investigated in connection with Operation Dragon are judged in an open and exemplary manner. Investigations into crimes of any sort should be carried out in an efficient and transparent way wherever we are in the world. “
Jean joined Tony Benn, Bernard Cassen and Michael Clapham MP, amongst others in signing the letter.
ENDS
For more information please contact:Morwenna Holland, Media Officertel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812 email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors: Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.