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Peace, Prisoners and Trade Unionists in Colombia

5 July 2017

Fringe meeting, ICTU conference

Speakers:

  • Huber Ballesteros, Colombian Trade Union Leader and former Political Prisoner
  • Kevin Callinan, Deputy General Secretary, IMPACT, Vice-President, ICTU
  • John Douglas, General Secretary, Mandate
  • Tom Geraghty, General Secretary, PSEU
  • Jimmy Kelly, Regional Secretary, Unite Ireland
  • Mariela Kohon, Director, Justice for Colombia
  • Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary, UNISON Northern Ireland

Chair:

  • Brian Campfield, President, ICTU

After three and a half years imprisoned on false charges, Colombian trade union leader Huber Ballesteros was finally released in January 2017. Justice for Colombia, with the support of ICTU and its affiliates, played a key role in securing his freedom. Come and hear firsthand about the current situation for trade unionists in Colombia, recent developments in the Colombian peace process and the ongoing threats to trade unionists and activists despite the historic advances towards peace.