David Ravelo

David Ravelo, a leading Colombian human rights activist, was detained by the Colombian authorities on 14 September 2010, falsely accused of “aggravated homicide”. In June 2017, David finally regained his freedom as his case was moved to the transitional justice system.

Huber Ballesteros

Huber is a member of the CUT Executive, Vicepresident of the agricultural workers union FENSUAGRO, and National Organiser for the social organisation Patriotic March. He was released in January 2017 after more than 40 months behind bars.

Miguel Beltran

Miguel is a Sociology lecturer and a member of the ASPU trade union well known for his studies analysing the roots of the armed conflict. He was twice imprisoned but finally released on 1 November 2016 when he was absolved of charges.

Omar Alfonso Combita

Omar is a teacher, an active member of FECODE, the Colombian teachers’ trade union, Omar was released with six others in March 2015 after spending almost three-and-a-half years in jail falsely accused of ‘rebellion’.

Francisco Toloza

In January 2013, the head of International Relations for the the Patriotic March social movement, Francisco Javier Toloza, was arrested accused of ‘rebellion’. He was released two months later in March 2013.

Climaco de la Cruz and Faustino Carabali Rodriguez

Members of FENSUAGRO, the Colombian agricultural workers’ trade union, were imprisoned for over 16 months between 2011 and 2012. Others arrested in the same case spent even longer in jail.

Liliany Obando

The human rights activist, Liliany Obando, was imprisoned from August 2008 to March 2012 without trial in Buen Pastor Women’s Prison, accused of “rebellion”. She was forced to serve further time under house arrest before charges were finally dropped.

Telmo Cuero Tegue

Telmo Cuero Tegue, member of FENSUAGRO, the Colombian agricultural workers’ trade union, was imprisoned from June 2011 to February 2012 in Mocoa prison, Putumayo, accused of ‘rebellion’. He was released without charge after eight months in prison.

Carmelo Agamez

Carmelo Agamez, a human rights defender and leading activist in the national movement for the victims of state crimes, was imprisoned from November 2008 to September 2011 without being convicted of any crime.

Rosalba Gaviria Toro

Rosalba Gaviria Toro, a FENSUAGRO trade union activist and President of the Women’s Movement for Peace and Human Rights was detained and imprisoned on 9th March 2009 after a police operation filmed live on TV. She was released two years later.

Aracely Cañaveral Vélez

Aracely Cañaveral Vélez, a well known leader of the informal workers’ trade union, ASOTRACOMERCIANT, was imprisoned on January 17th 2010. She was released on May 16th 2011.

Samuel Rojas

Samuel Rojas, leading member of the Bajo Ariari Regional Human Rights Committee, was detained between September 2010 and February 2011 accused of ‘rebellion’. He was later absolved of all charges.

Alirio Garcia

Alirio Garcia, a member of the national executive of the Colombian agricultural workers trade union, FENSUAGRO, was imprisoned between August 2009 and March 2010 accused of ‘rebellion’. He was absolved of all charges.

Andres Gil

Andres Gil, a leader of a leading Peasant Farmers Association (ACVC) was detained by the Colombian secret police and members of the Army on 29th September 2007. He was held for two years without being convicted of any crime until his release on 31st August 2009.

Miguel Gonzalez

Miguel Gonzalez, a founding member of the peasant farmers’ organisation ACVC, was imprisoned in January 2008. He was released and absolved of all charges in June 2009.

Martin Sandoval

Martin Sandoval, president of the Permanent Committee for Human Rights (CPDH) in the Colombian region of Arauca, was released from prison on the 13th May 2009 after being detained for over six months.

Carmen Mayusa

Carmen Mayusa, human rights defender and leading activist in the Colombian health workers union, ANTHOC. She had been detained since the 11th May 2006 in Buen Pastor Women’s Prison, Bogota. After two years imprisoned without trial she was released in June 2008.

Nieves Mayusa

Nieves Mayusa, human rights defender and trade union activist, was detained on 11th May 2006 in Buen Pastor Women’s Prison, Bogota. She was released at the same time as Carmen Mayusa in June 2008.

Raquel Castro

Raquel Castro, Colombian teacher and union activist for the Teachers’ Association of Arauca helped to lead the protest that prevented oil drilling in indigenous territory. She was arrested in August 2004 and released more than three years later in August 2007.

Samuel Morales

Samuel Morales, Colombian teacher and union activist for the Teachers’ Association of Arauca was detained on 5 August 2004 and was convicted of ‘rebellion’. On 28th April 2007 he was released after completing his sentence.

Hernando Hernandez

Hernando Hernandez, indigenous leader and member of the Permanent Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, in Caldas, and the Colombian Agricultural Union FENSUAGRO. He was detained in June 2005 and held without trial until November of the same year.

Luz Perly Cordoba

Luz Perly Cordoba, founding president of the Peasant Association of Arauca (ACA) and responsible for the human rights section of the Colombian Agricultural Union FENSAUGRO. She was detained in February 2004, and set free in April 2005.

Hernando Hernandez Pardo

Hernando Hernandez Pardo, former national president of the Oil Workers Union USO, was detained in December 2002 and kept under house arrest for 14 months, without charge. He was released in March 2004.